How many meaningful English words can be formed with the third, fifth, seventh…
2024
How many meaningful English words can be formed with the third, fifth, seventh and ninth letters of the word 'DOWNGRADED' using each letter only once ?
- A.
None
- B.
One
- C.
Two
- D.
Three
Attempted by 3 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Concept:
In an “extract-the-letters” puzzle, first pick out the exact letters sitting at the stated positions of the given word (counting from the left, one-indexed), then treat that letter set as a closed pool and check systematically which arrangement(s) of it, using each letter exactly once, spell a genuine, standard-dictionary English word.
Application:
Write out DOWNGRADED with each letter's position:
Position | Letter |
|---|---|
1 | D |
2 | O |
3 | W |
4 | N |
5 | G |
6 | R |
7 | A |
8 | D |
9 | E |
10 | D |
From this mapping, the letters at positions 3, 5, 7 and 9 are W, G, A and E.
Test arrangements of these four letters against real English words: the order W-A-G-E spells “WAGE,” a genuine dictionary word (a fixed regular payment for work).
Check the other rearrangements (for example GAWE, AGEW, EGAW, WEGA, and so on) — none of them is a standard English word.
Only one arrangement of these four letters produces a meaningful word, so the count is exactly one.
Cross-check:
“WAGE” uses W, A, G and E exactly once each, with no letter repeated or left over — it matches the extracted set precisely, confirming the derivation.
Result:
Exactly one meaningful English word can be formed, so the correct answer is “One.”