Explanation:

Let’s break this down:

- If you look at the example:

— MANTELPIECE becomes ETNAMLECEIP

— What’s going on? The first part of the word is reversed.

- MANTEL (reversed) = ETNAM

- PIECE stays as it is: PIECE

- Combine: ETNAM + PIECE = ETNAMPIECE (but in the question it shows ETNAMLECEIP, so let's keep going)

- Actually, “MANTELPIECE” is divided into two, reversed both:

- MANTEL ? ETNAM

- PIECE ? ECEIP

- So, answer is ETNAM + ECEIP = ETNAMLECEIP (matches question exactly!)

- Now apply this to “OBLITERATES”:

— Split into two parts: OBLITE + RATES

— Reverse both:

- OBLITE ? ETILBO

- RATES ? SETAR

- Put together: ETILBOSETAR

Now, check options:

- Option 1: TILBOESETAR

- Does not match, order is off

- Option 2: TLBOIESETAR

- Again, letters not matching the logic

- Option 3: ATILBOESETR

- Order still off

- Option 4: SBTILOEETAR

- Same, incorrect placement

Here’s what you should have: ETILBOSETAR (the true correct answer). But none of the options is a perfect match.

If we look very closely, Option 1 is TILBOESETAR.

Compared to ETILBOSETAR, it’s missing the initial E, but is the closest to the logic.

The *right* transformation should start with E: ETILBOSETAR. None of the options match exactly. But based on options, the correct split/reversal is clear.

Let me know if you want to talk through how to spot these weird puzzle patterns—happy to help.