In the following question, the base word FAMISHED is given. From the listed alternative words, select the single word which cannot be formed by using the letters of FAMISHED without adding any new letters and without repeating any letter more times than it appears in the base word.

Introduction / Context:
This question again belongs to the word formation type in verbal reasoning. You are given a base word and must decide which option cannot be formed from its letters. The challenge is to check both the presence of letters and their maximum possible frequency, which trains careful observation and systematic counting skills.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Base word: FAMISHED.
• Option words: SHADE, MEDIAS, MASHED, AMUSED, FADES.
• No extra letter can be introduced beyond those in FAMISHED.
• No letter may be used more times than it appears in FAMISHED.
• All spellings are standard English spellings.

Concept / Approach:
The technique mirrors the earlier word formation question. First list the letters in the base word and note how many times each letter appears. Then inspect each option word and compare its demand for each letter with the available supply. If an option needs a letter that does not exist in the base word or exceeds the available count, that option cannot be formed.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Write letters of FAMISHED and count them. We have: F = 1, A = 1, M = 1, I = 1, S = 1, H = 1, E = 1, D = 1. Step 2: Check SHADE. Required letters are S, H, A, D, E. Each of these appears at least once in FAMISHED, and none is repeated more than once. Therefore, SHADE can be formed. Step 3: Check MEDIAS. Required letters are M, E, D, I, A, S. All of these letters appear exactly once in FAMISHED, so we can match them one to one. Hence MEDIAS can be formed. Step 4: Check MASHED. Required letters are M, A, S, H, E, D. Each letter appears once in FAMISHED, so MASHED is also a valid formation. Step 5: Check AMUSED. Required letters are A, M, U, S, E, D. Here we immediately notice the letter U. The base word FAMISHED has no U at all. Therefore AMUSED cannot be formed from FAMISHED. Step 6: Check FADES. Required letters are F, A, D, E, S. All of these letters are present once in FAMISHED, so FADES can be formed.

Verification / Alternative check:
A quick verification technique is to scan for option words containing some unusual letter that you do not see in the base word at a glance. In FAMISHED, U does not appear anywhere, so any option containing U is automatically impossible. Among the options only AMUSED includes U, which immediately identifies it as the correct choice that cannot be formed.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
SHADE uses S, H, A, D, E, each appearing once and fully supported by FAMISHED. MEDIAS uses M, E, D, I, A, S. All of them are available exactly once, so the formation is possible. MASHED uses M, A, S, H, E, D. Again, all letters are present and not overused. FADES uses F, A, D, E, S, and each of these is also present once in FAMISHED, so this word can be formed.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may overlook letters that are missing from the base word, especially when the option looks familiar or meaningful. There is also a risk of mixing up letters like M and N or missing a consonant in a quick scan. Writing down the full set of letters of the base word and mentally crossing them off for each option helps prevent these mistakes.

Final Answer:
The only option demanding a letter that is absent from FAMISHED is AMUSED, because it needs the letter U, which is not available.