Instructions: In each of the following, the first and second pair of letters have a specific relationship. Apply the same logic to complete the third pair. WOODLAND : ZIRXOUQX :: PERIODIC : SYUCRXLW :: MAGAZINE : ?

Correct — D.
Rule: letters in odd places move +3, letters in even places move −6, wrapping round the alphabet.

WOODLAND: W + 3 = Z, O − 6 = I, O + 3 = R, D(4) − 6 = X …
PERIODIC: P + 3 = S, E(5) − 6 = Y … both pairs fit.

MAGAZINE:
M + 3 = P, A − 6 = U, G + 3 = J, A − 6 = U
Z + 3 = C, I − 6 = C, N + 3 = Q, E − 6 = Y
= PUJUCCQY → option (d).

Why the others are wrong

• (a)
  LOWXSYCZ — LOWXSYCZ starts M → L, a step of −1. The first letter must move +3, so the answer starts with P.
• (b)
  HERDWBMO — HERDWBMO starts M → H, a step of −5 instead of +3, so the code breaks at the first letter.
• (c)
  NUCAQOLP — NUCAQOLP gets A → U right but moves M only +1, to N, and G back 4, to C. The rule gives P and J there.

A letter-cluster analogy codes one word into another, letter by letter. Write the shift under each letter of the first pair, then confirm it on the second pair before using it.

Here the shifts alternate: +3 on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th letters, −6 on the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th. Letters near the ends wrap round: A − 6 lands on U, and Z + 3 on C.

Key facts

• WOODLAND to ZIRXOUQX shifts +3, −6, +3, −6, +3, −6, +3, −6.
• Wrapping round: A − 6 = U, D − 6 = X, E − 6 = Y, Z + 3 = C.
• MAGAZINE codes to PUJUCCQY.

Common traps

• Treating A − 6 as impossible instead of wrapping round to U
• Applying one shift to every letter, when odd and even places move differently

No directly related past PYQ was found.