Final answer:
There is only one pair of letters in the word SURPRISE that match the criteria of having the same number of letters between them in the word as in the English alphabet, which is the pair P and E.
Step-by-step explanation:
To answer the question of how many such pairs of letters there are in the word SURPRISE where each pair has as many letters between them in the word as there are in the English alphabet, we need to examine each pair of letters in the word. S and U: 0 letters between them in the word and 5 in the alphabet - No Match, S and R: 1 letter between them in the word and 6 in the alphabet - No Match
S and P: 2 letters between them in the word and 3 in the alphabet - No Match, S and I : 3 letters between them in the word and 7 in the alphabet - No Match, S and E: 5 letters between them in the word and 2 in the alphabet - No Match, U and R: 0 letters between them in the word and 1 in the alphabet - No Match, U and P: 1 letter between them in the word and 2 in the alphabet - No Match
U and I: 2 letters between them in the word and 3 in the alphabet - No Match, U and E: 4 letters between them in the word and 2 in the alphabet - No Match, R and P: 0 letters between them in the word and 2 in the alphabet - No Match, R and I: 1 letter between them in the word and 3 in the alphabet - No Match, R and E: 3 letters between them in the word and 2 in the alphabet - No Match, P and I: 0 letters between them in the word and 7 in the alphabet - No Match, P and E: 2 letters between them in the word and 3 in the alphabet - Match. Only the pair P and E matches the criteria mentioned in the question. Therefore, the answer is: (b) 2.