Odd Sentence Out Practice | Topper Cracker

Odd Sentence Out 19 / 54

The following five sentences, labeled 1 to 5, relate to a single topic. Four of these sentences can be arranged to form a logical paragraph. Identify the sentence that does not fit with the others and enter its number as your answer.

1. Classical proponents of social contract theory universally asserted that political legitimacy fundamentally derives from the explicit or implicit consent of the governed, thereby distinguishing rightful authority from mere de facto power.
2. This foundational agreement, often conceptualized as a transition from a hypothetical 'state of nature' to civil society, underpins the moral justification for the state's coercive monopoly.
3. However, critical theorists, particularly feminist philosophers, contend that classical social contract narratives frequently presuppose an atomistic, male-centric individual, thus failing to account for pre-existing social dependencies and non-voluntary relationships.
4. John Locke, for instance, articulated that legitimate governance is contingent upon the populace's voluntary ceding of specific natural rights in exchange for the impartial administration of justice and protection of property.
5. Without such a consensual basis, any regime's claim to sovereignty would devolve into an arbitrary imposition, lacking the normative force to command genuine allegiance rather than mere compliance.

Correct Answer: 3
Identification of the Theme: The core argument centres on the classical social contract theory's assertion that political legitimacy is fundamentally derived from the explicit or implicit consent of the governed.
Logical Sequence of the Coherent Paragraph: 1-2-4-5.
Sentence 1: Introduces the central thesis that political legitimacy stems from the consent of the governed, distinguishing it from mere power.
Sentence 2: Elucidates how this foundational agreement, conceptualized as a move from a state of nature, provides the moral justification for state authority.
Sentence 4: Offers a specific example through John Locke's articulation of how individuals voluntarily cede rights for collective benefits, forming legitimate governance.
Sentence 5: Concludes by emphasizing that without this consensual foundation, a regime's sovereignty lacks normative force and becomes arbitrary.
Why Sentence 3 is the Odd One Out: While Sentence 3 discusses social contract theory, it shifts the focus from explaining the mechanism of consent for legitimacy to critiquing the inherent assumptions and scope of classical social contract narratives. It highlights a specific theoretical limitation (atomistic, male-centric bias) rather than contributing to the explanation of how consent confers legitimacy.

← →

Keep Learning?