Which letter cluster will replace the question mark (?) in the following series?
CKZ, YOV, ?, QWN, MAJ
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → USR
Each position of the cluster is checked on its own; the count wraps round the alphabet (after Z comes A, before A comes Z).
First letters C, Y, ?, Q, M: 4 places back from C are B, A, Z, Y; so the rule is 4 places back, and 4 back from Y (25) is \(25-4=21\), U; then U to Q (17) to M (13) also go 4 back
Second letters K (11), O (15), ?, W (23), A: the rule is 4 places ahead, so the missing letter is \(15+4=19\), S; then S to W (23), and 4 ahead of W are X, Y, Z, A
Third letters Z (26), V (22), ?, N (14), J (10): the rule is 4 places back, so the missing letter is \(22-4=18\), R; then R to N to J also go 4 back
So the missing cluster is USR.