In this letter analogy, EGI is related to BDF. Using the same pattern, which group of letters should complete the analogy EGI : BDF :: KMO : ?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: HJL

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This letter analogy uses a simple backward shift pattern in the alphabet. The pair EGI : BDF shows that each letter in the second group is obtained by subtracting the same number of positions from the corresponding letter in the first group. Once the shift is determined, it must be applied to KMO to find the correct related group. Such questions help assess careful counting skills and pattern recognition in alphabet series.


Given Data / Assumptions:
First pair: EGI : BDF. Second pair: KMO : ?. All letters are standard English capital letters. The same operation is applied to each corresponding position.


Concept / Approach:
We convert each letter to its numerical position in the alphabet and compute the difference between corresponding letters of the two groups. If this difference is consistent, we adopt it as the rule. We then apply that fixed negative shift to each letter in KMO. This method is systematic and eliminates guessing.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Convert EGI to positions. E = 5, G = 7, I = 9. Step 2: Convert BDF to positions. B = 2, D = 4, F = 6. Step 3: Find the differences. 5 to 2 is -3. 7 to 4 is -3. 9 to 6 is -3. So every letter is shifted three positions backward. Step 4: Apply the same -3 transformation to KMO. K = 11, M = 13, O = 15. 11 - 3 = 8, which is H. 13 - 3 = 10, which is J. 15 - 3 = 12, which is L. Therefore, KMO becomes HJL.


Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, we can apply the reverse shift to HJL. H is 8, so 8 + 3 = 11, which is K. J is 10, so 10 + 3 = 13, which is M. L is 12, so 12 + 3 = 15, which is O. This confirms that HJL maps back to KMO using a consistent +3 shift, mirroring the -3 shift from KMO to HJL and matching exactly how EGI relates to BDF.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
GIK does not result from a uniform subtraction of three from KMO and instead shifts positions inconsistently. MOQ repeats the original letters of the first part in a different question pattern and is unrelated to the present transformation. QSU involves forward shifts and does not follow the -3 rule. NPR is formed by adding a constant value, not subtracting three, and therefore breaks the analogy structure.


Common Pitfalls:
A common error is to check only the first letter and ignore the remaining positions. Another frequent mistake is to miscount backward in the alphabet, especially near the beginning or end. Always verify the pattern for each letter and ensure that the same difference holds uniformly. Practising this methodical approach greatly improves accuracy in letter based analogy questions.


Final Answer:
The group of letters that correctly completes the analogy is HJL.

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