Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: zyxkx
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This is a slightly more complex letter pattern question in which a repeated arrangement involving the letters x, y, z, and k is partially hidden by blanks. The given pattern is written as xy_kx_zk_yzk xyz__, and we must choose a five letter sequence that, when inserted into the blanks from left to right, produces a smooth, repeating letter string. Recognizing such repetition based patterns is important for solving many alphabet test questions in competitive exams.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The given pattern already suggests repetitions of the substring "xyzk", because we can see fragments such as "xy", "kx", "zk", and "yzk". A good approach is to test which option, when inserted into the blanks, yields a full sequence where "xyzk" appears repeatedly without distortion. Exam questions of this type usually hide a simple repeating group and invite you to reconstruct it by filling in missing letters correctly.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the target is likely to be a repetition of the block "xyzk". The visible parts "xy", "zk", and "yzk" give strong hints of this structure.
Step 2: Now, insert the letters from option A, "zyxkx", into the five blanks from left to right.
Step 3: After filling, the completed string becomes a long sequence that can be grouped as "xyzkxyzkxyzk xyzkx". The core block "xyzk" clearly appears several times in succession.
Step 4: Because "xyzk" repeats regularly, the pattern is very consistent and exhibits no irregular breaks or random letter clusters. This is exactly the kind of smooth repetition expected in such alphabet test questions.
Step 5: If we try other options such as B, C, or D, the resulting sequences do not produce exact multiples of the block "xyzk". Instead, they introduce irregularities, like doubled letters or broken block transitions, and no clear repeated structure emerges.
Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification method is to focus on how many times "xyzk" appears when the blanks are filled. With option A, we can clearly identify "xyzk" repeated three times and then continuing into "xyzkx". This indicates that the pattern is essentially a persistent repetition of "xyzk". In contrast, the other options either disturb the order of x, y, z, and k or produce inconsistent segments, which are unlikely to be the intended design of the question.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B "zykxz" disrupts the natural order by placing y, z, k, x in an arrangement that does not align neatly with "xyzk" as a repeating block.
Option C "zkxyk" likewise shuffles the letters in a way that fails to generate consistent "xyzk" repetitions.
Option D "zxykx" inserts letters that create partial overlaps but not full, clear "xyzk" blocks without distortion.
Option E "xyzkx" has some of the right letters but in a distribution that does not give multiple complete "xyzk" blocks across the series after all blanks are filled.
Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often try to match only the first few letters and ignore how the entire sequence behaves once all blanks are filled. Another mistake is to look for complex shifting rules rather than the much simpler idea that a short block like "xyzk" is simply repeated. The correct habit is to complete the whole sequence with each option and then check whether a simple repeated pattern emerges over the complete length of the string.
Final Answer:
The set of letters that correctly completes the pattern is zyxkx (option A).
Discussion & Comments