Which shape comes next in the sequence?

To solve this abstract reasoning question, we need to identify the pattern in the sequence of shapes. Let's analyze the shapes in each of the four given boxes. Each box contains a 2x2 grid with four positions: Top-Left (TL), Top-Right (TR), Bottom-Left (BL), and Bottom-Right (BR).

Sequence Analysis:

Box 1:

• TL: Empty Up Triangle
• TR: Filled Square
• BL: Empty Square
• BR: Filled Down Triangle

Box 2:

• TL: Empty Square
• TR: Empty Circle
• BL: Empty Up Triangle
• BR: Filled Right Triangle

Box 3:

• TL: Empty Up Triangle
• TR: Filled Square
• BL: Empty Square
• BR: Filled Down Triangle

Box 4:

• TL: Empty Up Triangle
• TR: Empty Circle
• BL: Empty Square
• BR: Filled Right Triangle

Identifying the Pattern:

1. Alternating Patterns: We can observe that Box 1 and Box 3 are identical. This suggests an alternating pattern. Let's call this "Pattern A".

   • Pattern A: (TL: Empty Up Triangle, TR: Filled Square, BL: Empty Square, BR: Filled Down Triangle)

2. Variations in the Second Pattern: Box 2 and Box 4 are similar but not identical. Let's call this "Pattern B".

   • Box 2 (Pattern B - Version 1): (TL: Empty Square, TR: Empty Circle, BL: Empty Up Triangle, BR: Filled Right Triangle)
   • Box 4 (Pattern B - Version 2): (TL: Empty Up Triangle, TR: Empty Circle, BL: Empty Square, BR: Filled Right Triangle)

   Comparing Box 2 and Box 4, we see that the shapes in the Top-Left (TL) and Bottom-Left (BL) positions have swapped.

   • In Box 2: TL has an Empty Square, BL has an Empty Up Triangle.
   • In Box 4: TL has an Empty Up Triangle, BL has an Empty Square. The TR and BR positions remain the same in both versions of Pattern B.

Predicting the Next Shape:

The sequence follows this order:

1. Pattern A (Box 1)
2. Pattern B - Version 1 (Box 2)
3. Pattern A (Box 3)
4. Pattern B - Version 2 (Box 4)

Following this alternating sequence, the next shape (Box 5) should be Pattern A.

Pattern A is:

• TL: Empty Up Triangle
• TR: Filled Square
• BL: Empty Square
• BR: Filled Down Triangle

Now, let's compare this with the given options:

• Option A:

  • TL: Empty Up Triangle
  • TR: Filled Square
  • BL: Empty Square
  • BR: Filled Down Triangle This matches Pattern A exactly.

• Option B: TR is an Empty Square (should be Filled Square).

• Option C: Many differences.

• Option D: BR is a Filled Square (should be Filled Down Triangle).

Therefore, Option A is the correct shape that comes next in the sequence.

The final answer is $\text{A}$.