Question

From the following words pick the odd word out.

• A. lampoon
• B. satire
• C. ridicule
• D. parable

Hint:

Three words are about mocking or criticizing, one is about a moral story.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

To solve this question, we need to identify the word that does not fit with the others based on their meanings. 

1. Lampoon: This is a noun or verb that means to publicly criticize someone or something by using ridicule, irony, or sarcasm.
2. Satire: This is a noun that refers to the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues.
3. Ridicule: This can be a noun or a verb, and it refers to the act of making fun of something or someone in a cruel or contemptuous way.
4. Parable: This is a noun that means a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. This is different from the other three, as it is not related to ridicule or mockery but instead focuses on conveying a deeper message through a narrative.

As we can see, the first three words (lampoon, satire, and ridicule) are associated with making fun or criticizing something. On the other hand, a parable is a short story with a moral or spiritual lesson, and it is used for teaching, not for ridicule. Therefore, the odd word out is parable.

Answer 2

This item tests understanding of near-synonyms built around mockery versus a word about storytelling.

1. Lampoon: a lampoon is a piece of writing that mocks or attacks someone, often using exaggeration or sarcasm, so it belongs to the mockery group.
2. Satire: satire uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize people's foolishness or vices, again a form of mockery aimed at exposing flaws.
3. Ridicule: to ridicule someone means to make fun of them in a scornful, contemptuous way, so this too fits the mockery group.
4. Parable: a parable is a short, simple story that teaches a moral or spiritual lesson, like the parables told by Jesus in the Gospels, it has nothing to do with mocking or criticizing someone.

Since lampoon, satire and ridicule all describe ways of mocking or criticizing, while parable describes a teaching story, parable is the odd one out, option D.