Arrange the following words as per order in an English dictionary: 1. Maternity 2. Matriarchy 3. Matchbox 4. Matricide.

Introduction / Context:
This question asks you to arrange four words beginning with Mat in dictionary order. The words are Maternity, Matriarchy, Matchbox and Matricide. Because they share the same first three letters, the challenge is to compare carefully from the fourth letter onward. Recognising how small differences in spelling affect alphabetical ordering is an important skill in verbal reasoning and language based aptitude tests.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The words are numbered as 1. Maternity, 2. Matriarchy, 3. Matchbox and 4. Matricide.
• All begin with Mat, so differences arise from the fourth letter onward.
• Dictionary order is based on standard English alphabetical rules.
• Each option suggests a different numeric order of the four words.
• Exactly one option matches the true alphabetical sequence.

Concept / Approach:
To place words in dictionary order, compare them letter by letter from left to right. When the first three letters are identical, as here, focus on the next letter at which the spellings diverge. The word whose letter is earlier in the alphabet at that position will come first. After ordering the words, convert the sequence back to the numeric labels used in the question to pick the correct option.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Write the words fully: Matchbox, Maternity, Matriarchy and Matricide. After Mat, the fourth letter of each is c in Matchbox, e in Maternity and r in Matriarchy and Matricide. Since c comes before e and r in the alphabet, Matchbox (3) must appear first. Now compare Maternity and the Matri words. The fourth letter for both is e or r, so Maternity, with e, comes before any word that has r in that position, so Maternity (1) is second. Between Matriarchy and Matricide, both begin with Matri. At the next differing letter, Matriarchy has a after Matri, while Matricide has c, so Matriarchy (2) comes before Matricide (4). Final order is 3, 1, 2, 4.

Verification / Alternative check:
Write the ordered words as Matchbox, Maternity, Matriarchy, Matricide and check each adjacent pair. Matchbox versus Maternity: c versus e, so c comes first. Maternity versus Matriarchy: e versus r, so Maternity comes first. Matriarchy versus Matricide: after Matri, a comes before c, so Matriarchy comes first. Every comparison respects alphabetical order, confirming that this sequence is valid and consistent with dictionary rules.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B starts with Matricide, which cannot be correct because its fourth letter r comes after c and e. Option C puts Matricide immediately after Matchbox, ignoring that Maternity with e should come earlier. Option D begins with Maternity instead of Matchbox and also misplaces the Matri words. Option E, None of these, is invalid because option A exactly matches the correct order 3, 1, 2, 4 derived from systematic comparison.

Common Pitfalls:
Many candidates compare only the prefixes Matri, Matc and Mate superficially and forget to examine letters in the exact position where they differ. Some also confuse alphabetical order when letters are close together, such as a, c and e. To avoid such mistakes, always write the full words, mark the common prefix, and then highlight the first differing letters. This clear visual method makes it much easier to judge the correct dictionary position of each word.

Final Answer:
The correct dictionary order is Matchbox, Maternity, Matriarchy, Matricide, corresponding to the code 3,1,2,4.