Correct Option (4)
Based on the provided statements regarding the sports played by the four friends:
- Friend A plays football, cricket (from "A and B play football and cricket"), and basketball (from "A and D play basketball and football").
- Friend B plays football, cricket (from "A and B play football and cricket"), and hockey (from "B and C play cricket and hockey").
- Friend C plays cricket, hockey (from "B and C play cricket and hockey"), and basketball (from "C and D play hockey and basketball").
- Friend D plays basketball, football (from "A and D play basketball and football"), and hockey (from "C and D play hockey and basketball").
From this analysis, Friend A is the only individual whose activities do not include hockey.
Incorrect Options:
- Option 1 (D): Friend D plays hockey, as explicitly stated in the condition "C and D play hockey and basketball."
- Option 2 (C): Friend C plays hockey, as explicitly stated in the conditions "B and C play cricket and hockey" and "C and D play hockey and basketball."
- Option 3 (B): Friend B plays hockey, as explicitly stated in the condition "B and C play cricket and hockey."