High School Placement Test (HSPT) Practice Test

Which word does not belong with the others?

1. aroma

2. odor

3. scent

4. fumes

The correct answer is: fumes

The word "fumes" stands apart from the others—aroma, odor, and scent—because it typically refers to a gas or vapor that may be harmful or unpleasant, often produced by burning or chemical processes. In contrast, aroma, odor, and scent all relate to the perception of smell, and they can evoke different qualities or characteristics linked to fragrances. Aroma generally has a positive connotation, often associated with pleasant smells in food or nature. Scent similarly refers to a smell, often used in a more neutral or positive context, such as floral or fragrant scents. Odor can have a neutral or negative connotation but still pertains to the sense of smell. Thus, while aroma, odor, and scent are connected by their association with fragrance and the perception of smell, fumes diverges due to its context of producing potentially unpleasant or hazardous smells. This distinction establishes why fumes does not belong with the other three words.