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

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

Letter mix: V→V 2, V→C 1, C→V 1, C→C 3.

Word stats: 8 words, 9 unique letters. Start/target share 0 positions.

Cover the steps and work from both THEN and WILL first. This ladder needs 7 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 2 from H to E first, but saves position 2 (E to I) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

At the midpoint, SEAL matches 1 target position. On your replay, explain why that bridge gives you more options than a random swap; this path changes position 1 and 2 and 3 most often.

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