Explanation:

To decode the word 'SOUTH', we first need to understand the coding pattern used for 'DEAR' to 'WVZI'. \nStep 1: Assign numerical positions to the letters of 'DEAR' and 'WVZI' (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26).\nFor 'DEAR': D=4, E=5, A=1, R=18.\nFor 'WVZI': W=23, V=22, Z=26, I=9. \nStep 2: Analyze the relationship between corresponding letters. - D ($4$) and W ($23$): $4 + 23 = 27$. - E ($5$) and V ($22$): $5 + 22 = 27$. - A ($1$) and Z ($26$): $1 + 26 = 27$. - R ($18$) and I ($9$): $18 + 9 = 27$. \nThe pattern is that each letter is replaced by its 'opposite' letter in the alphabet, such that the sum of their positional values is $27$. This is a standard reverse alphabet coding. \nStep 3: Apply the same coding pattern to 'SOUTH'.\nFor 'SOUTH': S=19, O=15, U=21, T=20, H=8. - For S ($19$): The opposite letter will have position $27 - 19 = 8^{th}$, which is H. - For O ($15$): The opposite letter will have position $27 - 15 = 12^{th}$, which is L. - For U ($21$): The opposite letter will have position $27 - 21 = 6^{th}$, which is F. - For T ($20$): The opposite letter will have position $27 - 20 = 7^{th}$, which is G. - For H ($8$): The opposite letter will have position $27 - 8 = 19^{th}$, which is S. \nCombining these, 'SOUTH' is coded as 'HLFGS'. \nStep 4: Evaluate the options.\nOption A: HLFGS. This matches our derived code.\nOption B: SGFLH. This is incorrect.\nOption C: HFLGS. This is incorrect.\nOption D: HFLSG. This is incorrect. \nTherefore, the correct option is 'HLFGS'.