Explanation:

Let’s break down the series:

UTMD, QXIH, MBEL, IFAP, ?

- Let’s look at each letter position-wise:

- 1st letters: U, Q, M, I

- U (21st), Q (17th), M (13th), I (9th): -4 each time

- Next: I (9th) - 4 = E (5th)

- 2nd letters: T, X, B, F

- T (20th), X (24th), B (2nd), F (6th): +4 each time (goes to start of alphabet after Z)

- Next: F (6th) + 4 = J (10th)

- 3rd letters: M, I, E, A

- M (13th), I (9th), E (5th), A (1st): -4 each time

- Next: A (1st) - 4 = W (23rd, wrap to end of alphabet)

- 4th letters: D, H, L, P

- D (4th), H (8th), L (12th), P (16th): +4 each time

- Next: P (16th) + 4 = T (20th)

- So, the pattern should be:

- EJWT

- Now check options:

1. EKXT

2. EKWU

3. EJWT

4. DJVT

- Option 3 (EJWT) matches the derived pattern.