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

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

Letter mix: V→V 2, V→C 0, C→V 0, C→C 4.

Word stats: 7 words, 10 unique letters. Start/target share 2 positions.

Cover the steps and work from both WALES and MODES first. This ladder needs 6 moves, and the endpoints already share 2 letter positions—so a useful move does not always look immediately closer to the target.

The recorded route changes position 3 from L to V first, but saves position 3 (V to D) for the finish. That is a useful reminder to enter a familiar word family before forcing the final spelling.

At the midpoint, LIVES matches 2 target positions. 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 WALES to MODES without looking at the route and compare your reasoning with the solution.