Give a quick stream of consciousness before answering the following question. Look at this series: 7, 10, 8, 11, 9, 12, ... What number should come next?
Options:
(A) 10
(B) 12
(C) 7
(D) 8
(E) 9
This is a simple alternating addition and subtraction series. In the first pattern, 3 is added; in the second, 2 is subtracted.
The answer: (A).