In a certain code language, the English word "SQUALOR" is written as "USWCNQT". Using the same letter shifting pattern, how will the word "WHY" be written in that code language?

Introduction:
This coding and decoding problem involves a consistent alphabetic shift applied to letters of English words. The word SQUALOR is coded as USWCNQT, and we must apply the same transformation to the word WHY. The question checks familiarity with alphabet positions and careful mapping of letter shifts.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The mapping given is SQUALOR → USWCNQT. We assume:
1) Each letter of the original word is replaced by a single letter in the coded word.
2) The same shift is applied to every letter of the alphabet.
3) The alphabet is treated cyclically, so after Z we wrap around to A if needed.

Concept / Approach:
To discover the rule, we compare the positions of corresponding letters from SQUALOR and USWCNQT. If the difference between each original and coded letter is constant, then we have a simple Caesar shift. Once we know the magnitude and direction of the shift, we apply it to the letters W, H, and Y in WHY.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Determine positions: S=19, Q=17, U=21, A=1, L=12, O=15, R=18.Step 2: For the coded form USWCNQT, positions are U=21, S=19, W=23, C=3, N=14, Q=17, T=20.Step 3: Calculate the shift for each pair: S to U is 19 to 21 (plus 2), Q to S is 17 to 19 (plus 2), U to W is 21 to 23 (plus 2), and similarly for all other letters.Step 4: Since each original letter is shifted forward by 2 positions, the rule is: coded letter = original letter shifted forward by 2 places in the alphabet.Step 5: Apply this rule to WHY. W is 23 and becomes Y, H is 8 and becomes J, Y is 25 and becomes A, wrapping around after Z (since 25 plus 2 equals 27, which corresponds to 1, the position of A).Step 6: Thus, WHY is coded as YJA.

Verification / Alternative check:
If we reverse the operation by shifting each letter of YJA backward by 2 positions, we should return to WHY. Y becomes W, J becomes H, and A becomes Y. This confirms that we have applied the correct Caesar shift in the correct direction.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The options CZR, SGY, YPT, and WJA cannot all be generated by a uniform forward shift of 2 places starting from W, H, and Y. Each of them would require a different shift for at least one letter or a different direction of movement along the alphabet, which contradicts the uniform rule observed in SQUALOR → USWCNQT.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes forget to handle wrap around correctly when letters near the end of the alphabet are shifted forward. Another mistake is to miscalculate the alphabet positions or to assume a shift of 1 or 3 without checking all letter pairs. Careful checking of each mapping ensures a reliable solution.

Final Answer:
The word "WHY" is written as YJA in the given code language.