Change positions: pos 2: 1, pos 3: 1, pos 4: 1, pos 5: 1. Most-changed position: 2, 3, 4, 5 (1).

Change sequence: 3, 5, 2, 4.

Letter mix: V→V 1, V→C 0, C→V 1, C→C 2.

Word stats: 5 words, 9 unique letters. Start/target share 1 position.

Cover the steps and work from both SHIRT and SCOPE first. This ladder needs 4 moves, and the endpoints already share 1 letter position—so a useful move does not always look immediately closer to the target.

The recorded route changes position 3 from I to O first, but saves position 4 (R to P) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

At the midpoint, SHORE matches 3 target positions. On your replay, explain why that bridge gives you more options than a random swap; this path changes position 2 and 3 and 4 and 5 most often.

Practice prompt: choose two unfamiliar bridge words, check their definitions, and write a short sentence for each. Then replay SHIRT to SCOPE without looking at the route and compare your reasoning with the solution.