A word series is given, and each term contains the distinctive letter group 'que' or 'qua'. One word is missing. Choose the correct alternative from the given options that will complete the series: Queen, Aqua, Pique, Torque, Antique, ?

Introduction / Context:
This is a verbal reasoning series question in which you are given several English words that share a hidden letter pattern. The words Queen, Aqua, Pique, Torque and Antique may appear unrelated in meaning, but they are connected through a distinctive letter sequence. Your task is to identify this pattern and then select the option that continues it. Such questions assess your observational skills, especially your ability to focus on spelling and letter clusters rather than on the meaning of the words alone.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Given series: Queen, Aqua, Pique, Torque, Antique, ?
• Options: Squad, Quadrilateral, Prerequisite, Queue.
• We assume that the key to the pattern lies in the spelling of the words, particularly in the letter groups 'que' and 'qua'.
• The missing word should follow the same structural theme in a natural and consistent way.

Concept / Approach:
A practical approach is to scan each given word for recurring letter combinations. When we compare Queen, Aqua, Pique, Torque and Antique, we quickly notice that each contains either the trigram 'que' or the closely related 'qua' sequence. The series therefore appears to be built around these characteristic letter groups rather than around meaning, pronunciation or word length. The missing word must also prominently feature this 'que' or 'qua' pattern to maintain the logic of the series.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the common pattern. Queen contains 'que' at the beginning, Aqua contains 'qua' at the end, Pique ends with 'que', Torque also ends with 'que' and Antique ends with 'que'. Step 2: Conclude that the defining feature of the series is the presence of the letter group 'que' or its close variant 'qua' in each word. Step 3: Examine the options for this pattern. Squad contains 'qua' but not as a clean 'que' or 'qua' cluster matching the established visual focus of the series. Quadrilateral begins with 'quad', which is visually related but much longer and moves away from the simple 'que' element. Step 4: Prerequisite contains the sequence 'qui', which is phonetically similar but does not match the exact and visually dominant 'que' or 'qua' cluster seen in the main series. Step 5: Queue, however, is built almost entirely around 'que' and 'ue', visually echoing the strong 'que' ending found in Pique, Torque and Antique, and the starting 'que' in Queen. It therefore fits the pattern most directly. Step 6: Based on this, Queue is the most natural and consistent continuation of the series.

Verification / Alternative check:
As a quick verification, list the positions of 'que' in the series words. In Queen it appears at the start, in Pique, Torque and Antique it appears toward the end, while Aqua features the closely allied 'qua'. The overall impression is that the letter cluster 'que' is central and visibly highlighted. Among the options, only Queue is built fully around 'que', reinforcing the same visual and structural theme. The other options either contain different clusters or embed the letters in a much less similar way, confirming that Queue is the correct choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Squad contains 'qua' but changes the pattern by embedding it inside a different structure and not emphasising 'que' as strongly. Quadrilateral is a long, technical word in which any 'qua'-related part is overshadowed and does not mirror the concise forms in the given series. Prerequisite has 'qui', which is phonetically related but visually distinct from the consistent 'que' ending seen in most series terms. Because these words do not follow the exact letter-cluster emphasis of the original sequence, they do not serve as the best continuation.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes focus on word length or meaning, for example trying to connect queen and antique thematically, which leads them away from the simple spelling-based pattern. Others may be tempted by long, impressive-looking words such as Quadrilateral, assuming that complexity implies correctness. In fact, the safest strategy is to look closely at recurring letter clusters and choose the option that repeats that cluster in the clearest and most consistent way. In this question, that strategy clearly points to Queue.

Final Answer:
All the given words prominently feature the letter group 'que' or its close variant, and the word that continues this pattern most directly is Queue. Therefore, Queue is the correct answer.