In each question you are given five words. Three of the five words share something in common: they might belong to the same group, hide a smaller word inside them, follow the same spelling rule, or sound like other words. The other two words do not fit that link. Read all five words carefully, work out what links three of them, then choose the option (A to E) that names the two words which do NOT belong. Study the worked example before you begin, then work through the questions in order.
Worked example. Here are five words: LION, TIGER, HAMMER, LEOPARD, CHISEL. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three? Answer: HAMMER and CHISEL. LION, TIGER and LEOPARD are all big cats, so they form the group of three. HAMMER and CHISEL are tools, not animals, so they are the two words that do not belong with the other three.
1
Here are five words: DOG, CAT, TABLE, RABBIT, CHAIR. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) TABLE and CHAIR
B) DOG and CAT
C) DOG and RABBIT
D) CAT and RABBIT
E) DOG and TABLE
(Total for Question 1 is 1 mark)
2
Here are five words: RED, BLUE, CIRCLE, GREEN, SQUARE. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) RED and BLUE
B) CIRCLE and SQUARE
C) RED and GREEN
D) BLUE and GREEN
E) RED and CIRCLE
(Total for Question 2 is 1 mark)
3
Here are five words: MONDAY, JUNE, FRIDAY, TUESDAY, APRIL. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) MONDAY and FRIDAY
B) MONDAY and TUESDAY
C) JUNE and APRIL
D) FRIDAY and TUESDAY
E) MONDAY and JUNE
(Total for Question 3 is 1 mark)
4
Here are five words: APPLE, CARROT, BANANA, POTATO, ORANGE. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) APPLE and BANANA
B) APPLE and ORANGE
C) BANANA and ORANGE
D) CARROT and POTATO
E) APPLE and CARROT
(Total for Question 4 is 1 mark)
5
Here are five words: TRUMPET, DRUM, HAMMER, VIOLIN, SPANNER. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) TRUMPET and DRUM
B) TRUMPET and VIOLIN
C) DRUM and VIOLIN
D) TRUMPET and HAMMER
E) HAMMER and SPANNER
(Total for Question 5 is 1 mark)
6
Here are five words: WHALE, DOLPHIN, SPIDER, SHARK, ANT. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) SPIDER and ANT
B) WHALE and DOLPHIN
C) WHALE and SHARK
D) DOLPHIN and SHARK
E) WHALE and SPIDER
(Total for Question 6 is 1 mark)
7
Here are five words: OAK, ROSE, MAPLE, TULIP, BIRCH. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) OAK and MAPLE
B) ROSE and TULIP
C) OAK and BIRCH
D) MAPLE and BIRCH
E) OAK and ROSE
(Total for Question 7 is 1 mark)
8
Here are five words: NURSE, DOCTOR, HAMMER, SURGEON, CHISEL. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) NURSE and DOCTOR
B) NURSE and SURGEON
C) HAMMER and CHISEL
D) DOCTOR and SURGEON
E) NURSE and HAMMER
(Total for Question 8 is 1 mark)
9
Here are five words: REDUCE, GREENHOUSE, BLUEBELL, TABLET, WINDOW. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) REDUCE and GREENHOUSE
B) REDUCE and BLUEBELL
C) GREENHOUSE and BLUEBELL
D) TABLET and WINDOW
E) REDUCE and TABLET
(Total for Question 9 is 1 mark)
10
Here are five words: SEVENTEEN, NINETY, TENANT, BASKET, PENCIL. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) SEVENTEEN and NINETY
B) SEVENTEEN and TENANT
C) NINETY and TENANT
D) SEVENTEEN and BASKET
E) BASKET and PENCIL
(Total for Question 10 is 1 mark)
11
Here are five words: KNOT, GNOME, WRIST, SPOON, FORK. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) SPOON and FORK
B) KNOT and GNOME
C) KNOT and WRIST
D) GNOME and WRIST
E) KNOT and SPOON
(Total for Question 11 is 1 mark)
12
Here are five words: NOTEBOOK, BOOKCASE, BOOKWORM, LIBRARY, NOVEL. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) NOTEBOOK and BOOKCASE
B) LIBRARY and NOVEL
C) NOTEBOOK and BOOKWORM
D) BOOKCASE and BOOKWORM
E) NOTEBOOK and LIBRARY
(Total for Question 12 is 1 mark)
13
Here are five words: LISTEN, EARTH, STOP, PENCIL, RIVER. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) LISTEN and EARTH
B) LISTEN and STOP
C) PENCIL and RIVER
D) EARTH and STOP
E) LISTEN and PENCIL
(Total for Question 13 is 1 mark)
14
Here are five words: BALLOON, KETTLE, BUTTON, CAMEL, TIGER. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) BALLOON and KETTLE
B) BALLOON and BUTTON
C) KETTLE and BUTTON
D) CAMEL and TIGER
E) BALLOON and CAMEL
(Total for Question 14 is 1 mark)
15
Here are five words: PAINTER, TEACHER, BAKER, HAPPY, QUICKLY. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) PAINTER and TEACHER
B) PAINTER and BAKER
C) TEACHER and BAKER
D) PAINTER and HAPPY
E) HAPPY and QUICKLY
(Total for Question 15 is 1 mark)
16
Here are five words: THUNDER, LIGHTNING, DRIZZLE, HAMMER, PENCIL. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) HAMMER and PENCIL
B) THUNDER and LIGHTNING
C) THUNDER and DRIZZLE
D) LIGHTNING and DRIZZLE
E) THUNDER and HAMMER
(Total for Question 16 is 1 mark)
17
Here are five words: SLATE, BRAIN, CRAMP, APPLE, HOUSE. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) SLATE and BRAIN
B) APPLE and HOUSE
C) SLATE and CRAMP
D) BRAIN and CRAMP
E) SLATE and APPLE
(Total for Question 17 is 1 mark)
18
Here are five words: HEART, SHOWN, SPARE, TABLE, MONEY. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) HEART and SHOWN
B) HEART and SPARE
C) TABLE and MONEY
D) SHOWN and SPARE
E) HEART and TABLE
(Total for Question 18 is 1 mark)
19
Here are five words: KNIGHT, WRITE, SCENT, CHAIR, PENCIL. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) KNIGHT and WRITE
B) KNIGHT and SCENT
C) WRITE and SCENT
D) CHAIR and PENCIL
E) KNIGHT and CHAIR
(Total for Question 19 is 1 mark)
20
Here are five words: CHINSTRAP, ARMOUR, HIPSTER, ELEPHANT, GIRAFFE. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) CHINSTRAP and ARMOUR
B) CHINSTRAP and HIPSTER
C) ARMOUR and HIPSTER
D) CHINSTRAP and ELEPHANT
E) ELEPHANT and GIRAFFE
(Total for Question 20 is 1 mark)
21
Here are five words: TIE, LOAD, PACK, CARRY, LIFT. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) CARRY and LIFT
B) TIE and LOAD
C) TIE and PACK
D) LOAD and PACK
E) TIE and CARRY
(Total for Question 21 is 1 mark)
22
Here are five words: NIGHT, SIGHT, FRIGHT, EIGHT, FREIGHT. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) NIGHT and SIGHT
B) EIGHT and FREIGHT
C) NIGHT and FRIGHT
D) SIGHT and FRIGHT
E) NIGHT and EIGHT
(Total for Question 22 is 1 mark)
23
Here are five words: RATION, CATALOGUE, HENNA, SALAD, PENCIL. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) RATION and CATALOGUE
B) RATION and HENNA
C) SALAD and PENCIL
D) CATALOGUE and HENNA
E) RATION and SALAD
(Total for Question 23 is 1 mark)
24
Here are five words: BARGAIN, CANDID, CARPET, PENCIL, MARKET. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) BARGAIN and CANDID
B) BARGAIN and CARPET
C) CANDID and CARPET
D) PENCIL and MARKET
E) BARGAIN and PENCIL
(Total for Question 24 is 1 mark)
25
Here are five words: STAPLE, PASTEL, PETALS, PLANET, TABLES. Three of these five words share something in common. Which TWO words do NOT belong with the other three?
A) STAPLE and PASTEL
B) STAPLE and PETALS
C) PASTEL and PETALS
D) STAPLE and PLANET
E) PLANET and TABLES
(Total for Question 25 is 1 mark)
Mark scheme · EP.V2 Two Odd Ones Out
Question 1
B1 A) TABLE and CHAIR - TABLE and CHAIR are pieces of furniture, whereas DOG, CAT and RABBIT are all animals.
Answer: A) TABLE and CHAIR
Question 2
B1 B) CIRCLE and SQUARE - CIRCLE and SQUARE are shapes, whereas RED, BLUE and GREEN are all colours.
Answer: B) CIRCLE and SQUARE
Question 3
B1 C) JUNE and APRIL - JUNE and APRIL are months of the year, whereas MONDAY, FRIDAY and TUESDAY are all days of the week.
Answer: C) JUNE and APRIL
Question 4
B1 D) CARROT and POTATO - CARROT and POTATO are vegetables, whereas APPLE, BANANA and ORANGE are all fruits.
Answer: D) CARROT and POTATO
Question 5
B1 E) HAMMER and SPANNER - HAMMER and SPANNER are tools, whereas TRUMPET, DRUM and VIOLIN are all musical instruments.
Answer: E) HAMMER and SPANNER
Question 6
B1 A) SPIDER and ANT - SPIDER and ANT are land minibeasts, whereas WHALE, DOLPHIN and SHARK all live in the sea.
Answer: A) SPIDER and ANT
Question 7
B1 B) ROSE and TULIP - ROSE and TULIP are flowers, whereas OAK, MAPLE and BIRCH are all trees.
Answer: B) ROSE and TULIP
Question 8
B1 C) HAMMER and CHISEL - HAMMER and CHISEL are tools, whereas NURSE, DOCTOR and SURGEON all work in medicine.
Answer: C) HAMMER and CHISEL
Question 9
B1 D) TABLET and WINDOW - TABLET and WINDOW do not begin with a hidden colour, whereas REDUCE, GREENHOUSE and BLUEBELL all begin with a hidden colour (RED, GREEN, BLUE).
Answer: D) TABLET and WINDOW
Question 10
B1 E) BASKET and PENCIL - BASKET and PENCIL do not begin with a hidden number, whereas SEVENTEEN, NINETY and TENANT all begin with a hidden number (SEVEN, NINE, TEN).
Answer: E) BASKET and PENCIL
Question 11
B1 A) SPOON and FORK - SPOON and FORK have no silent first letter, whereas KNOT, GNOME and WRIST each start with a silent letter (K, G, W).
Answer: A) SPOON and FORK
Question 12
B1 B) LIBRARY and NOVEL - LIBRARY and NOVEL do not contain the word BOOK, whereas NOTEBOOK, BOOKCASE and BOOKWORM all contain the word BOOK.
Answer: B) LIBRARY and NOVEL
Question 13
B1 C) PENCIL and RIVER - PENCIL and RIVER are not anagrams of another common word, whereas LISTEN, EARTH and STOP are each an anagram of another common word (SILENT, HEART, POTS/TOPS/SPOT).
Answer: C) PENCIL and RIVER
Question 14
B1 D) CAMEL and TIGER - CAMEL and TIGER have no double letter, whereas BALLOON, KETTLE and BUTTON each contain a double letter (LL, TT, TT).
Answer: D) CAMEL and TIGER
Question 15
B1 E) HAPPY and QUICKLY - HAPPY is an adjective and QUICKLY is an adverb, not job nouns, whereas PAINTER, TEACHER and BAKER are all nouns naming a person's job.
Answer: E) HAPPY and QUICKLY
Question 16
B1 A) HAMMER and PENCIL - HAMMER and PENCIL are everyday objects, not weather, whereas THUNDER, LIGHTNING and DRIZZLE are all types of weather.
Answer: A) HAMMER and PENCIL
Question 17
B1 B) APPLE and HOUSE - Removing the first letter from APPLE or HOUSE gives no real word (PPLE, OUSE), whereas Removing the first letter from SLATE, BRAIN and CRAMP gives a real word (LATE, RAIN, RAMP).
Answer: B) APPLE and HOUSE
Question 18
B1 C) TABLE and MONEY - Removing the last letter from TABLE or MONEY gives no real word (TABL, MONE), whereas Removing the last letter from HEART, SHOWN and SPARE gives a real word (HEAR, SHOW, SPAR).
Answer: C) TABLE and MONEY
Question 19
B1 D) CHAIR and PENCIL - CHAIR and PENCIL have no homophone partner, whereas KNIGHT, WRITE and SCENT are each a homophone of another word (NIGHT, RIGHT, CENT/SENT).
Answer: D) CHAIR and PENCIL
Question 20
B1 E) ELEPHANT and GIRAFFE - ELEPHANT and GIRAFFE hide no body part, whereas CHINSTRAP, ARMOUR and HIPSTER each hide a body part (CHIN, ARM, HIP).
Answer: E) ELEPHANT and GIRAFFE
Question 21
B1 A) CARRY and LIFT - Adding UN- to CARRY or LIFT does not make a real word, whereas Adding UN- to TIE, LOAD and PACK makes a real word (UNTIE, UNLOAD, UNPACK).
Answer: A) CARRY and LIFT
Question 22
B1 B) EIGHT and FREIGHT - EIGHT and FREIGHT are spelled similarly but rhyme with 'gate', not with NIGHT, whereas NIGHT, SIGHT and FRIGHT genuinely rhyme with each other.
Answer: B) EIGHT and FREIGHT
Question 23
B1 C) SALAD and PENCIL - SALAD and PENCIL do not begin with a hidden animal, whereas RATION, CATALOGUE and HENNA each begin with a hidden animal (RAT, CAT, HEN).
Answer: C) SALAD and PENCIL
Question 24
B1 D) PENCIL and MARKET - PENCIL and MARKET do not split into two smaller real words, whereas BARGAIN, CANDID and CARPET split exactly into two smaller real words (BAR+GAIN, CAN+DID, CAR+PET).
Answer: D) PENCIL and MARKET
Question 25
B1 E) PLANET and TABLES - PLANET and TABLES use a different set of letters, so they are not part of that anagram set, whereas STAPLE, PASTEL and PETALS are all anagrams of each other (same letters A, E, L, P, S, T).