Which is the next figure in the sequence given above ?

Which is the next figure in the sequence given above ?

(figure represented by (a))
(figure represented by (b))
(figure represented by (c))
(figure represented by (d))
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2009
The correct option is A) (figure represented by (a)).
Observe the sequence of figures:
Figure 1: Square, axis-aligned, filled with horizontal lines.
Figure 2: Square, axis-aligned, filled with vertical lines.
Figure 3: Square, rotated 45 degrees (diamond shape), filled with lines that were horizontal in the original orientation.
Figure 4: Square, rotated 45 degrees (diamond shape), filled with lines that were vertical in the original orientation.
The pattern alternates between axis-aligned and 45-degree rotated squares, and within each pair, it alternates between horizontal and vertical lines (relative to the axis-aligned orientation).
Sequence: (Axis-aligned, Horizontal) -> (Axis-aligned, Vertical) -> (Rotated, Horizontal) -> (Rotated, Vertical).
Following this pattern, the next figure should be (Axis-aligned, Horizontal).
Looking at the options (a), (b), (c), (d) which represent figures:
Figure (a) is an axis-aligned square filled with horizontal lines. This matches the expected next figure in the sequence.
Figure (b) is an axis-aligned square filled with vertical lines.
Figure (c) is a rotated square filled with lines parallel to one of its sides.
Figure (d) is a rotated square filled with diagonal lines.
Therefore, option A represents the figure that follows the pattern.
Figure sequence problems test pattern recognition skills. The patterns can involve rotation, reflection, scaling, changes in filling, changes in number of elements, or alternation of attributes. In this case, the pattern combines rotation and internal filling style.