Which item is extraneous: cat, letter, towel, plum, quick? - briefly
To determine the extraneous item among "cat," "letter," "towel," "plum," and "quick," it is essential to consider the nature of each word. Most of the listed items are tangible objects that can be physically interacted with: a cat, a letter, a towel, and a plum.
However, the word "quick" is an adjective describing speed or swiftness. It does not share the same categorical characteristics as the other items, which are all physical entities.
The extraneous item is "quick". It stands out as it is an adjective, unlike the other items which are nouns.
Which item is extraneous: cat, letter, towel, plum, quick? - in detail
To determine the extraneous item among "cat," "letter," "towel," "plum," and "quick," it is essential to consider the categorical distinctions of each word. Categorization is a fundamental method for identifying outliers, as it helps in grouping items based on shared characteristics.
Firstly, let us examine the nature of each item:
- Cat: A domestic animal, specifically a feline.
- Letter: A written symbol representing a phoneme, used in alphabets.
- Towel: A piece of absorbent fabric used for drying.
- Plum: A type of fruit, specifically a stone fruit.
- Quick: An adjective describing speed or rapidity.
From this list, it is evident that "cat," "towel," and "plum" are tangible, physical objects. They exist in the material world and can be touched or seen. On the other hand, "letter" is a symbol used in writing and communication, while "quick" is an abstract concept describing a quality of speed.
The tangible items—cat, towel, and plum—belong to the category of physical objects. The letter, while a physical mark on paper, represents an abstract concept in language. The word "quick" is entirely abstract, describing a quality rather than a tangible object.
Given these distinctions, "quick" stands out as the extraneous item. It does not fit into the category of physical objects like the others. Instead, it is an adjective that describes a characteristic or state, making it the outlier in this grouping.