Directions: Read the following information carefully and answer the question that follows.

Eight professionals—P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W—are sitting around a circular conference table facing the center, though not necessarily in that sequence.
No two individuals whose alphabetical names are consecutive (e.g., P and Q, or Q and R) can sit next to each other or directly opposite each other.
Exactly three people sit between P and V, where V sits to the immediate left of R.
Two individuals sit between Q and U, and U is not seated next to P.
T sits to the immediate right of S.
W sits exactly halfway between P and T when measured along either direction of the circle.

The number of people seated between S and V is identical to the number of people seated between ____ and ____.

The correct answer is Q, R.

Step-by-step explanation:

Let us determine the seating positions of the eight professionals (P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, and W) around a circular table with 8 positions (numbered 1 to 8 in clockwise order, facing the center):

1. Positions of P and V:
It is given that exactly three people sit between P and V. In an 8-person circular table, having three people between two individuals means they sit directly opposite each other. Let P be at Position 1, which puts V directly opposite at Position 5.

2. Position of R:
V sits to the immediate left of R. Facing the center, moving clockwise corresponds to the left direction. Since V is at Position 5, R must be at Position 4.

3. Positions of S, T, and W:
T sits to the immediate right of S, and W sits halfway between P and T. Placing T at Position 8 and S at Position 7 puts W at Position 3 (equidistant from P at Position 1 and T at Position 8).

4. Positions of Q and U:
Two people sit between Q and U, placing them at Position 2 and Position 6 respectively, which also ensures U is not seated next to P.

5. Evaluating the Question:
- The number of people seated between S (Position 7) and V (Position 5) is 1 person (Position 6).
- Similarly, the number of people seated between Q (Position 2) and R (Position 4) is 1 person (Position 3).

Thus, the number of people seated between S and V is identical to the number of people seated between Q, R.