In a certain code language, the word "TERMITE" is written as "UDSLJSF". Using the same pattern of letter shifting, how is the word "MINISTER" written in that code language?

Introduction / Context:
This is a letter shifting code question. The word TERMITE becomes UDSLJSF in the code language. These transformations are not random; each letter is shifted forward or backward in the alphabet according to a fixed alternating pattern. Once that pattern is found, it must be applied to the word MINISTER to obtain its coded form. The exercise tests precision in tracking letter positions and consistent application of a multi step pattern.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• TERMITE is written as UDSLJSF.
• Target word: MINISTER.
• English alphabet positions are used implicitly: A = 1, B = 2, ..., Z = 26.
• The transformation is applied position wise across the word, not by rearranging the order of letters.

Concept / Approach:
To detect the pattern, each letter of TERMITE is compared with the corresponding letter of UDSLJSF. This reveals whether the letter is shifted forward or backward and by how many positions. Observing each pair shows an alternating scheme: first letter shifted forward by one, second letter shifted backward by one, third forward by one, fourth backward by one, and so on. More precisely: T→U (+1), E→D (-1), R→S (+1), M→L (-1), I→J (+1), T→S (-1), E→F (+1). We then apply the same +1, -1, +1, -1 alternating pattern to the letters of MINISTER in order.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Confirm the pattern for TERMITE: T (20) → U (21): +1. E (5) → D (4): -1. R (18) → S (19): +1. M (13) → L (12): -1. I (9) → J (10): +1. T (20) → S (19): -1. E (5) → F (6): +1. Step 2: The rule is: position 1 +1, position 2 -1, position 3 +1, position 4 -1, position 5 +1, position 6 -1, position 7 +1. Step 3: Apply this to MINISTER (8 letters): M, I, N, I, S, T, E, R. Step 4: Position 1: M (13) +1 → N (14). Step 5: Position 2: I (9) -1 → H (8). Step 6: Position 3: N (14) +1 → O (15). Step 7: Position 4: I (9) -1 → H (8). Step 8: Position 5: S (19) +1 → T (20). Step 9: Position 6: T (20) -1 → S (19). Step 10: Position 7: E (5) +1 → F (6). Step 11: Position 8: continue the alternation, so this is a -1 step: R (18) -1 → Q (17). Step 12: Combine the coded letters: N H O H T S F Q.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, we can reapply the pattern to TERMITE and ensure that UDSLJSF is obtained, then check each step for MINISTER again. All shifts for MINISTER follow the same alternating +1, -1 pattern with no exception. Comparing with answer choices shows that only NHOHTSFQ matches the exact coded sequence we derived, so the answer is uniquely determined by the pattern.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Options A, B, D and E differ from NHOHTSFQ by one or more letters. For example, some have extra H or misplaced T and S, meaning the +1 and -1 shifts were not applied consistently. Because the pattern is strictly defined by the example TERMITE → UDSLJSF, any deviation from that alternating shift must be incorrect. Only option C maintains the correct positions and shifts for every letter.

Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake is to assume every letter is shifted by the same amount in the same direction, such as always +1 or always -1. Another is to miscount the alphabet positions or to forget to continue the alternation for the additional eighth letter in MINISTER. Writing out a small alphabet reference and carefully tracking plus or minus moves for each position helps avoid these errors. Always verify your pattern against the example before applying it to the new word.

Final Answer:
Following the same alternating +1 and -1 shifts as for TERMITE, the word MINISTER is written as NHOHTSFQ in the code language.