Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: VWRGLI
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question explicitly states that the alphabet is reversed in coding. The mapping is symmetrical: A corresponds to Z, B to Y, C to X and so on. This is again the Atbash cipher. The task is to apply this reverse mapping consistently to each letter of the word "EDITOR".
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The core idea is to find the reverse alphabet partner for each letter in EDITOR. This can be done by writing the alphabet forward and backward in two rows and reading off each mapping. There is no shifting beyond the reflection, and there is no change in letter order in the word. After mapping each letter, we join the corresponding letters to obtain the coded word.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Establish the Atbash pairs: A with Z, B with Y, C with X, D with W, E with V, F with U, G with T, H with S, I with R, J with Q, K with P, L with O, M with N and vice versa.
Step 2: Apply this to each letter in EDITOR.
Step 3: E maps to V, because E is the fifth from the start and V is the fifth from the end.
Step 4: D maps to W, I maps to R, T maps to G, O maps to L and R maps to I.
Step 5: Put these coded letters together in order: V W R G L I.
Step 6: Therefore EDITOR is coded as VWRGLI.
Verification / Alternative check:
We can cross check by encoding a simpler word or by decoding VWRGLI back to EDITOR. Mapping V back to E, W back to D, R back to I, G back to T, L back to O and I back to R reproduces EDITOR exactly. Since the mapping is symmetric and the word comes back unchanged through this round trip, the code is confirmed.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Options VWRGVI, VWVGLI and VWRLLI change one or more letters from the correct code. These errors correspond to misassigning partners, such as mapping O incorrectly, or duplicating letters where no duplication exists in EDITOR. Because the rule is completely determined once the reverse alphabet is fixed, any deviation from VWRGLI is inconsistent with the stated coding scheme.
Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may mistakenly apply a simple shift or assume some letters, especially vowels, map in a different way. Others might forget that the word order is preserved and attempt to reverse the word as well. Writing the full A to Z and Z to A lines and tracing each letter visually avoids such confusion.
Final Answer:
Using the reverse alphabet coding where A maps to Z and B to Y, the word "EDITOR" is written as VWRGLI.
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