Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: UUTSU
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Here we have a missing letter series composed of the letters T, U, and S. Several blanks must be filled by choosing exactly one set of letters from the options. The goal is to produce a completed series that follows a simple and consistent pattern. These problems test letter pattern recognition and the ability to identify repeated cycles in symbolic data, skills that are important in many reasoning examinations.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
A helpful idea in such problems is to suspect that the full sequence is composed of repeated short blocks like TUS or TSU. By trying each option, we can see which one, after filling the blanks, yields a smooth repetition without contradictions. The correct pattern in this question turns out to be T U S repeated four times, giving a very elegant structure once completed.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Place the blanks at positions 2, 5, 7, 9, and 11 within the series.
Step 2: Choose option D, which supplies the letters U U T S U in that order.
Step 3: Fill the blanks to obtain: T U S T U S T U S T U S.
Step 4: Group the completed sequence as TUS TUS TUS TUS.
Step 5: Note that the block T U S is repeated four times in succession without any break.
Step 6: This regularity shows that option D is consistent with a simple and coherent underlying pattern.
Verification / Alternative check:
We verify by checking each group of three letters. Every triple, starting from the first, spells T U S in the same order: positions 1 to 3, 4 to 6, 7 to 9, and 10 to 12. There is no deviation in any of the blocks. If we tested another option, the resulting series would not yield such a neat repetition. Therefore, this property of forming four identical TUS blocks confirms that option D is the correct completion.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (UUSTT) produces a mix where some T letters cluster together, breaking any simple cycle and preventing repetition of a short block. Option B (TUUTS) creates irregular segments with extra U letters, which do not allow equal sized repeating groups. Option C (TTSTU) leads to a structure with double T at unexpected positions and does not reduce to a simple pattern such as TUS. None of these options can be grouped into identical consecutive blocks across the full series, so they are incorrect.
Common Pitfalls:
Many learners attempt to judge options based on the first few positions only and thus accept a pattern that seems fine at the beginning but fails later. Another common error is to ignore symmetry and not try to partition the completed series into equal segments. In letter series questions, always examine the entire sequence after filling the blanks and see whether it suggests an obvious repeating unit. This habit greatly improves accuracy in similar problems.
Final Answer:
The correct set of letters is option D, UUTSU.
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