Which one of the following is a false fruit?

The correct answer is Option (4) → Strawberry

A true fruit develops only from the ovary. In a false fruit, the thalamus also grows and forms part of the fruit, as in apple, strawberry and cashew.

Option (4) Strawberry — Correct. A false fruit is one in which parts other than the ovary also form the fruit. In the strawberry, the fleshy edible part is the swollen thalamus, so it is a false fruit, as are the apple and cashew.

Note: A similar question was also asked in CUET (UG) 2026 on 26-05-2026 (Slot 1).

NCERT Extract:
Seed – …

Figure 1.15 (a) Structure of some seeds. (b) False fruits of apple and strawberry