What should come in place of ? in the given series based on the English alphabetical order? SQU TRV USW VTX ?

Question

What should come in place of ? in the given series based on the English alphabetical order? SQU TRV USW VTX ?

1. A. WVX
2. B. WUY (Correct answer)
3. C. WXZ
4. D. WTX

Correct Answer

Option B — WUY

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is WUY.

Key Points

• Treat each letter position separately and look down the columns rather than across the terms — that is what makes the pattern obvious.
  • 1st letters: S → T → U → V → W (each +1)
  • 2nd letters: Q → R → S → T → U (each +1)
  • 3rd letters: U → V → W → X → Y (each +1)
• Every position advances by one, so the next term is WUY.

Additional Information

• Column-wise reading is the standard technique for lettered series. Reading each three-letter block as a unit hides a pattern that is trivial once the positions are separated.
• Note the internal structure of each term: within SQU the gaps are S → Q (−2) and Q → U (+4), and that internal shape is preserved in every term — a useful cross-check on the answer.
• Knowing the alphabet positions (A=1 … Z=26) makes counting reliable; the EJOTY mnemonic (E=5, J=10, O=15, T=20, Y=25) lets you locate any letter in a couple of steps.
• The distractors each break one column: WVX fails the 2nd and 3rd, WXZ the 2nd, WTX the 2nd and 3rd — so checking any single column beyond the first eliminates all three.