Explanation:

Let's decode using the patterns from the given statements:

Observation of code pattern:

- Code structure: *(Number)(Capital Letter)(Symbol)*

- Let's break it down:

1. Number:

This matches the number of letters in the word.

- "beach" (5) = 5W@

- "they" (4) = 5B& (exception, but most fit)

2. Capital Letter:

It is the last letter of the word, mapped to a letter with some offset or directly.

- "schools" (s) = 1H&, "entire" (e) = 3S@

- Looking at several examples, the capital letter in the code corresponds to an alphabetical position of the last letter, offset by something.

3. Symbol (@ or &):

Let’s observe the pattern:

- Words beginning with consonants mostly get @

- Words beginning with vowels mostly get &

- But, looking at all options, it seems more likely:

- @ = vowel at the end

- & = consonant at the end

Now let's decode "independent":

- Letters: 11

- Last letter: 't'

- Position: 't' is 20th in English alphabet.

- But code options are 9G@, 9W@, etc.

BUT in the pattern, look at "material" (8 letters, ends with 'l') = 9O@

- Number: 9 (instead of 8), so +1 offset.

- Try "independent" (11 letters) likely gives code 12.

- However, options mostly give 9 as number, which matches length of "material" and "schools", both 8 letters, but have 9 in code.

Letter in code:

- "material" (ends with 'l') = O, which is O is 15th in alphabet, 'l' is 12th, so +3.

- Try for "independent" (ends with 't') = 20+3 = 23 ('W').

- So, number is length+1 = 12, and letter is last letter's position +3 = 23 = 'W'.

However, all options are for 9-something. Check the most logical fit closely matching this pattern is 9W@ (Option 1).

Final Answer Checklist:

- “independent”: 11 letters ? 12

- Last letter t: alphabet position 20 + 3 = 23 (‘W’)

- Should be 12W@

But that's not among options.

Based on *material* (8?9), *entire* (6?3), so maybe not always +1, but "independent" standard mapping in options is 9W@ (Option 1).

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Summing up:

- Number in code = mapped length.

- Capital Letter = Last letter + 3 positions.

- @ for likely non-consonant, & for consonant-ending.

Correct Answer

- Option 1: 9W@

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