In this letter analogy, OOQR is related to QQST in a particular way. Using the same pattern, which group of letters should replace the question mark in OOQR : QQST :: UUWX : ?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: WWYZ

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is a classic alphabet series analogy where each letter in the first group is transformed into the corresponding letter in the second group using a consistent numerical pattern. Once that pattern is identified for OOQR to QQST, the same transformation must be applied to UUWX to determine the missing group of letters. Questions like this are very common in competitive exams and measure precision in pattern recognition.


Given Data / Assumptions:
We are given the pair OOQR : QQST. We must find the group of letters that relates to UUWX in exactly the same way. All letters are part of the standard English alphabet. The transformation is assumed to be the same for each corresponding position.


Concept / Approach:
The most reliable approach is to convert each letter to its position in the alphabet and look for a constant difference between the letters of the first and second groups. Analogy questions generally use simple operations such as adding or subtracting a fixed number. Once the difference is identified for one pair, it is applied to the second pair. Because both OOQR and QQST contain four letters, we compare each letter position wise to find the pattern.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Convert OOQR to positions. O = 15, O = 15, Q = 17, R = 18. Step 2: Convert QQST to positions. Q = 17, Q = 17, S = 19, T = 20. Step 3: Find the difference for each letter position. 15 to 17 is +2, 15 to 17 is +2, 17 to 19 is +2, 18 to 20 is +2. So each letter in OOQR is shifted two positions forward to obtain QQST. Step 4: Apply the same +2 rule to UUWX. U = 21, U = 21, W = 23, X = 24. 21 + 2 = 23, which is W. 21 + 2 = 23, which is W. 23 + 2 = 25, which is Y. 24 + 2 = 26, which is Z. Thus UUWX becomes WWYZ.


Verification / Alternative check:
We can quickly cross check by reversing the logic. If WWYZ is correct, then shifting each of its letters two steps backward should return UUWX. W back by two positions is U, W back by two positions is U, Y back by two positions is W, and Z back by two positions is X. This confirms that our derived group WWYZ is consistent with the original group UUWX using the same pattern that links OOQR and QQST.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
YYWZ does not result from adding two to each letter of UUWX. It rearranges letters and ignores the strict positional rule. ZZWY also fails the +2 test and mixes end letters without following a constant step from UUWX. YYZZ repeats letters but does not maintain the precise positional increments. VVYZ starts from V instead of W when two is added to U, so it breaks the consistent +2 pattern.


Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates look only at the shapes or repetition of letters and ignore the numeric positions. Others may check the pattern only for the first or second letter and assume the rest will match. In analogy problems, it is essential to verify the rule for every letter in the group. Confusion can also arise when letters approach the end of the alphabet, but in this case the shifts remain within A to Z without wrapping around, so the pattern remains simple and clean.


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

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