New York City SHSAT 2017

Next, it’s time to work with the code. If you work with the code two lines at a time, you should be able to narrow down your
options. Look at the first two lines. Notice how only one word is different between these two lines. Since four of the five words in
these two lines are the same, four of the five letters in the two lines are also the same. Therefore, the letter in the first line that
doesn’t appear in the second represents “dog” and the letter in the second that doesn’t appear in the first represents “cat.”

R, X, Y, and N appear in both lines. This means that S represents “dog” and Q represents “cat.” Make note of this.

Now do the same thing for the first and third lines. The only difference between these two sentences is “toys” and “legs.” Both lines
contain the letters R, S, Y, and N. This means that X must represent “toys” and Z must represent “legs.”

EXAMPLE

You now have enough information to answer question #6—“toys” is represented by X so the answer is (H).

EXAMPLE

S = dog

Q = cat

S = dog

Q = cat

X = toys

Z = legs

6. Which letter represents “toys”?

F. Q

G. Y

H. X

J. S

K. N

7. Which word is represented by R?

A. My

B. Dog

C. Has

D. Either “my” or “dog” but cannot determine which one.

E. Either “my” or “has” but cannot determine which one.