Question

Five jumbled up sentences, related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd one out and key in the number of the sentence as your answer:

• A. The logic of displaying one’s inner qualities through outward appearance was based on a distinction between being a woman and being feminine.
• B. 'Appearance' became a signifier of conduct - to look was to be and conformity to the feminine ideal was measured by how well women could use the tools of the fashion and beauty industries.
• C. The makeover-centric media sets out subtly and not-so-subtly, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ ways to be a woman, layering these over inequalities of race and class.
• D. The denigration of working-class women and women of colour often centres on their perceived failure to embody feminine beauty.
• E. ‘Woman’ was considered a biological category, but femininity was a ‘process’ by which women became specific kinds of women.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

To determine which sentence is the odd one out, we must analyze the coherence and thematic connection of the sentences. Let's review the context of each:

1. The logic of displaying one’s inner qualities through outward appearance was based on a distinction between being a woman and being feminine.
2. 'Appearance' became a signifier of conduct - to look was to be and conformity to the feminine ideal was measured by how well women could use the tools of the fashion and beauty industries.
3. The denigration of working-class women and women of colour often centres on their perceived failure to embody feminine beauty.
4. 'Woman' was considered a biological category, but femininity was a ‘process’ by which women became specific kinds of women.
5. The makeover-centric media sets out subtly and not-so-subtly, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ ways to be a woman, layering these over inequalities of race and class.

On inspection, sentences 1, 2, 3, and 4 revolve around the themes of femininity, appearance, and societal expectations of women. They discuss how women’s external appearances are linked to societal ideals and expectations. Sentence 5 stands out as it diverges into the influence of the makeover-centric media on societal perceptions of women, particularly concerning race and class inequality. While it is related to the overall theme, its focus is tangential.

Thus, the odd sentence out is:

The makeover-centric media sets out subtly and not-so-subtly, ‘good’ and ‘bad’ ways to be a woman, layering these over inequalities of race and class.