String truncation pattern – identify the next item Sequence: ADVENTURE, DVENTURE, DVENTUR, ?, VENTU

Introduction / Context:
This is a letter-deletion (truncation) sequence built from a base word. At each step, a character is removed from a consistent end (or ends). Recognizing which side is trimmed in which order yields the missing term.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Base word: ADVENTURE.
• Sequence shown: ADVENTURE → DVENTURE → DVENTUR → ? → VENTU.
• We must determine the fourth term.

Concept / Approach:
Compare consecutive items to see what got removed. If step 1 removes the first letter, step 2 may remove the last letter, step 3 remove the first again, and so on, alternating between left and right deletions.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Alternating deletions L, R, L, R produce lengths 9 → 8 → 7 → 6 → 5, and the intermediate forms align exactly with the given sequence when the missing term is VENTUR.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• DVENT: skips too many intermediate deletions.
• VENTURE or VENTUR(E): reintroduces letters that were already removed.
• DVENTU: removes from the wrong side and to the wrong length for this step.
• None of these: incorrect because VENTUR is present among options.

Common Pitfalls:
Deleting multiple letters in a single step; not noticing the strict left-right alternation.

Final Answer:
VENTUR