Understanding Dictionary Word Arrangement

Arranging words in the order they appear in an English dictionary is based on alphabetical order. This means we compare the words letter by letter from the beginning until we find a difference. The word with the letter that comes earlier in the alphabet at the point of difference will appear earlier in the dictionary.

Let's look at the given words:

1. Likelihood
2. Likenesses
3. Likewise
4. Likens
5. Likeliest

Step-by-Step Comparison for Dictionary Order

All the words start with the letters "Like". We need to look at the letters that follow this common prefix to determine their dictionary order.

• Likelihood: Likelihood
• Likenesses: Likenesses
• Likewise: Likewise
• Likens: Likens
• Likeliest: Likeliest

Comparing the fifth letter, we have 'l', 'n', and 'w'. In the English alphabet, 'l' comes before 'n', and 'n' comes before 'w'.

• Words starting with "Likel": Likelihood, Likeliest
• Words starting with "Liken": Likenesses, Likens
• Words starting with "Likew": Likewise

Ordering Words Starting with "Likel"

Now let's compare Likelihood and Likeliest:

• Likelihood: Likelihood
• Likeliest: Likeliest

The first six letters "Likeli" are the same. Let's look at the seventh letter:

• Likelihood: Likelihood
• Likeliest: Likeliest

Comparing 'h' and 'e', 'e' comes before 'h' in the alphabet. Therefore, Likeliest comes before Likelihood.

Current order for these two: Likeliest (5), Likelihood (1).

Ordering Words Starting with "Liken"

Next, let's compare Likenesses and Likens:

• Likenesses: Likenesses
• Likens: Likenes

The first six letters "Likene" are the same. Let's look at the seventh letter:

• Likenesses: Likenesses
• Likens: Likenes

The seventh letter is 's' in both. Let's look at the eighth letter:

• Likenesses: Likenesses
• Likens: Likenes (word ends)

When one word is shorter but matches the beginning of a longer word, the shorter word comes first in dictionary order if it's listed as a complete word. However, comparing letter by letter, if we continue, the next letter in 'Likenesses' is 's' (8th letter), while 'Likens' ends after the 7th letter 's'. This isn't the correct way to compare these. Let's restart the comparison from "Liken":

• Likenesses: Likenesses
• Likens: Likens

Comparing the 6th letter: 'e' in Likenesses and 's' in Likens. 'e' comes before 's'.

Therefore, Likenesses comes before Likens.

Current order for these two: Likenesses (2), Likens (4).

Placing the Remaining Word

The last word is Likewise:

• Likewise: Likewise

As determined earlier, words starting with "Likew" come after words starting with "Likel" and "Liken" because 'w' comes after 'l' and 'n'.

Final Dictionary Order Arrangement

Combining the ordered groups based on the fifth letter ('l', 'n', 'w'):

1. Words starting with "Likel": Likeliest (5), Likelihood (1)
2. Words starting with "Liken": Likenesses (2), Likens (4)
3. Words starting with "Likew": Likewise (3)

The final arrangement in dictionary order is:

Likeliest, Likelihood, Likenesses, Likens, Likewise

Translating this back to the original numbers:

5, 1, 2, 4, 3

This matches the arrangement provided in option 1.

Revision Table: Dictionary Order Steps

Additional Information on Alphabetical Arrangement

Alphabetical arrangement is a fundamental skill used not only in dictionaries but also in indexes, directories, filing systems, and sorting data. Understanding how words are ordered helps in quickly locating information.

• Comparison is always letter by letter from left to right.
• The order of letters is a, b, c, ..., z.
• Spaces, hyphens, and apostrophes have specific rules in different sorting systems, but for simple word lists like this, we focus on the letters.
• If two words are identical, their relative order might depend on a secondary sort key (like a page number), but this is not relevant for ordering unique words.
• When comparing 'Likens' and 'Likenesses', the correct comparison after 'Liken' is 's' vs 'e'. Since 'e' comes before 's', 'Likenesses' comes first. Be careful with common prefixes; always compare the *next* differing letter.

Practice with different sets of words can help improve your speed and accuracy in determining dictionary order.