Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: VAGUELY
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This item provides two known decodings (symbol sequences mapped to English words). From those, we infer individual symbol→letter mappings, then apply them to decode a new symbol string. The skill tested is inferring a cipher key from exemplars and applying it consistently.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Determine the per-symbol mapping from the two exemplars by aligning positions, then substitute for each symbol in the query. If any symbol appears only in the query (e.g., “∠”), infer the resulting word by dictionary sense-checking against options.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Cross-check consistency: the partial decoding “VAGUEL” matches a valid English prefix; only “VAGUELY” fits the exact sequence and is offered as an option. No contradictions with prior mappings.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Reading groupings incorrectly (e.g., treating “$%” as one token); mixing earlier, unrelated symbol tables; overlooking that “γ” and “δ” are Greek letters, not Latin; ignoring dictionary validation to resolve a single unknown mapping.
Final Answer:
VAGUELY
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