Step 1: Understanding the Question:
This question asks us to identify the pattern of a two-letter alphabetical series (AZ, BY, CX, DW, ...) and determine the next logical term in the sequence.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
Track the movement of the first letter of each pair in the forward direction.
- Track the movement of the second letter of each pair in the backward direction.
- Alternatively, check for the "opposite letter" relationship (the sum of positional ranks equals 27).
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
1. Let us analyze the first letters of each pair:
- The first letters are A, B, C, D, ...
- This is a continuous alphabetical sequence starting from the beginning (increasing by $+1$):
- A ($+1$) $\rightarrow$ B
- B ($+1$) $\rightarrow$ C
- C ($+1$) $\rightarrow$ D
- Following this pattern, the first letter of the next term must be: D ($+1$) $\rightarrow$ E
2. Let us analyze the second letters of each pair:
- The second letters are Z, Y, X, W, ...
- This is a continuous reverse alphabetical sequence starting from the end (decreasing by $-1$):
- Z ($-1$) $\rightarrow$ Y
- Y ($-1$) $\rightarrow$ X
- X ($-1$) $\rightarrow$ W
- Following this pattern, the second letter of the next term must be: W ($-1$) $\rightarrow$ V
3. Alternatively, check the opposite letter pairs concept:
- The sum of the forward rank of a letter and its backward rank is always 27.
- A (1) $+$ Z (26) $= 27$
- B (2) $+$ Y (25) $= 27$
- C (3) $+$ X (24) $= 27$
- D (4) $+$ W (23) $= 27$
- The next letter in the forward alphabet is E, which has a positional rank of 5.
- The corresponding opposite letter must have a rank of: \[ 27 - 5 = 22 \]
- The 22nd letter of the alphabet is V.
- Combining the letters gives the pair EV.
Step 4: Final Answer:
The next term in the series is EV. Hence, the correct option is (A).