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

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

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

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

Cover the steps and work from both BEAT and TUBE 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 3 from A to N first, but saves position 3 (N to B) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

At the midpoint, BONE 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 3 and 4 most often.

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