Explanation:

Let’s break it down step-by-step:

The sequence with blanks:

m_tq_ ml_qr m_tq_ m_t_r

We need to pick letters for each blank, and the only real way to do this is to look for a pattern. Let’s look at how each option would fill the series.

Option 1: l, r, t, l, r, l, q

Plug the letters in, in order:

mltqr mltqr mltqr mltq

It becomes:

mltqr mltqr mltqr mltq

- The first three groups are identical: “mltqr”

- The last term, “mltq,” is missing the ‘r’ at the end—a small variation, but logical.

Option 2: l, l, q, r, l, r, t

mltql mlqqr mltqr mltr

That turns into:

mltql mlqqr mltqr mltr

No obvious pattern. There’s inconsistency.

Option 3: l, q, r, l, l, r, t

mltqq mlrqr mltql mrtt

Results in:

mltqq mlrqr mltql mrt t

Again, the pattern breaks. Doesn’t fit.

Option 4: l, t, r, l, l, r, q

mltqt mlrqr mltql mrtq

Translation:

mltqt mlrqr mltql mrtq

No nice pattern here, either.

Summary:

- Only Option 1 actually repeats neatly and almost perfectly, save the last one missing a letter, which feels intentional.

Option 1 is the answer: l, r, t, l, r, l, q

That’s all there is to it.