Dictionary order (Silic-/Silk/Silt family): Arrange Silicate, Silicon, Silken, Silt alphabetically.

Introduction / Context:Close spellings can be tricky in dictionary ordering. We compare character by character beyond the shared prefix “sil…”.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Words: Silicate, Silicon, Silken, Silt.

Concept / Approach:After “sil…”, we consider “ica…”, “ico…”, “k…”, “t”. Alphabetically: “ica” < “ico” < “k” < “t”. Hence Silicate precedes Silicon; both precede Silken and Silt; between Silken and Silt, “k” < “t”.

Step-by-Step Solution:1) Silicate.2) Silicon.3) Silken.4) Silt.

Verification / Alternative check:String sorting yields the same rank.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:They swap “ica/ico”, or place “silk/silt” too early.

Common Pitfalls:Stopping at “sili…”, not checking the next letter after “i”.

Final Answer:Silicate, Silicon, Silken, Silt