Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: iv, ii, i, iii
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests dictionary ordering with words that begin with similar letters. Cajole, Clandestine, Cover, and Coward all start with C, but the next letters differ and dictate the order. Such problems train learners to pay close attention to each letter rather than relying on overall familiarity with the words.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Lexicographic or dictionary order compares words character by character. First letters that differ decide ordering. If first letters match, we proceed to the second letter, and so on. In this set, all words start with C, so the second letter becomes crucial. Words with earlier second letters come first. When second letters match, subsequent letters are compared in the same way.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify second letters. Cajole is C A, Clandestine is C L, Cover is C O, Coward is C O.
Step 2: Alphabetically, A comes before L, and L comes before O. Therefore, Cajole must come first, Clandestine second, and both must come before Cover and Coward.
Step 3: Now compare Cover and Coward, both beginning with C O. We move to the third letter. Cover spells C O V E R, Coward spells C O W A R D.
Step 4: The third letters are V and W. V comes before W in the alphabet.
Step 5: Therefore, Cover precedes Coward in dictionary order.
Step 6: Combining the intermediate results, the final order is Cajole (iv), Clandestine (ii), Cover (i), Coward (iii), which is iv, ii, i, iii.
Verification / Alternative check:
For verification, list the words quickly as C A, C L, C O V, and C O W. Since A is the earliest second letter, Cajole goes first. L comes next, giving Clandestine second place. Both O words must appear later. For Cover and Coward, comparing V and W in the third position confirms that Cover appears before Coward. This quick grouping by second and third letters agrees with the detailed method and confirms iv, ii, i, iii as the correct sequence.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The sequence i, iv, iii, ii starts with Cover, ignoring that C A in Cajole must come before C O and C L.
The sequence i, ii, iii, iv assumes the original order is already alphabetical, which is not the case.
The sequence i, iii, iv, ii misplaces Clandestine and fails to group words correctly by their second letter.
The sequence ii, iv, i, iii places Clandestine before Cajole, even though L comes after A in the alphabet.
Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes overlook the second letter once they notice all words start with the same first letter. Another pitfall is to think that longer words should come later regardless of their internal letters. Some also confuse O, L, and A ordering when scanning quickly. A good habit is to underline the first differing letter between any two words and rely on that rather than on word length or familiarity.
Final Answer:
The correct dictionary order is iv, ii, i, iii.
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