Series Pattern Analysis

The question presents a series of four-letter combinations: EHGD, FGHC, GFIB, and asks for the next term in the sequence. To find the missing term, we need to identify the underlying pattern or rule that governs the progression of letters.

Step-by-Step Pattern Derivation

Let's examine the relationship between consecutive terms by looking at the changes in each letter position:

• Term 1: E H G D
• Term 2: F G H C
• Term 3: G F I B
• Term 4: ?

We will analyze the pattern for each position (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th letter) independently:

1. First Letter Pattern:
   • E (in EHGD) becomes F (in FGHC) - This is a step forward (+1).
   • F (in FGHC) becomes G (in GFIB) - This is also a step forward (+1).
   • The pattern for the first letter is to advance by one position in the alphabet. Therefore, the next letter after G should be H (G + 1 = H).
2. Second Letter Pattern:
   • H (in EHGD) becomes G (in FGHC) - This is a step backward (-1).
   • G (in FGHC) becomes F (in GFIB) - This is also a step backward (-1).
   • The pattern for the second letter is to move back by one position in the alphabet. Therefore, the next letter after F should be E (F - 1 = E).
3. Third Letter Pattern:
   • G (in EHGD) becomes H (in FGHC) - This is a step forward (+1).
   • H (in FGHC) becomes I (in GFIB) - This is also a step forward (+1).
   • The pattern for the third letter is to advance by one position in the alphabet. Therefore, the next letter after I should be J (I + 1 = J).
4. Fourth Letter Pattern:
   • D (in EHGD) becomes C (in FGHC) - This is a step backward (-1).
   • C (in FGHC) becomes B (in GFIB) - This is also a step backward (-1).
   • The pattern for the fourth letter is to move back by one position in the alphabet. Therefore, the next letter after B should be A (B - 1 = A).

Identifying the Missing Term

By applying the established patterns to the last known term (GFIB) or by continuing the sequence based on the rules derived:

• The first letter advances from G to H (+1).
• The second letter retreats from F to E (-1).
• The third letter advances from I to J (+1).
• The fourth letter retreats from B to A (-1).

Combining these results, the missing term in the series is HEJA.

This matches the option HEJA.