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

Change sequence: 4, 2, 1, 4, 3, 2, 4, 2.

Letter mix: V→V 2, V→C 1, C→V 1, C→C 4.

Word stats: 9 words, 9 unique letters. Start/target share 0 positions.

Cover the steps and work from both THEM and SONS first. This ladder needs 8 moves, and the endpoints already share 0 letter positions—so a useful move does not always look immediately closer to the target.

The recorded route changes position 4 from M to N first, but saves position 2 (A to O) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

At the midpoint, SEED matches 1 target position. On your replay, explain why that bridge gives you more options than a random swap; this path changes position 2 and 4 most often.

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