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Question

Select the correct option that indicates the arrangement of the given words in the order in which they appear in an English dictionary.

1. Program
2. Problem
3.Proposal
4. Profound
5. Property

The correct answer is 2, 4, 1, 5, 3

Understanding Dictionary Order and Word Arrangement

Arranging words in the order they appear in an English dictionary involves comparing the words letter by letter from left to right. This is also known as alphabetical order or lexicographical order.

Step-by-Step Word Arrangement Process

Let's arrange the given words: Program, Problem, Proposal, Profound, Property.

  1. Problem
  2. Program
  3. Proposal
  4. Profound
  5. Property

We compare the words letter by letter:

  • All words begin with 'P', 'R', 'O'. So, we look at the fourth letter of each word.
Word Fourth Letter
Program g
Problem b
Proposal p
Profound f
Property p

Now, let's arrange these fourth letters alphabetically: 'b', 'f', 'g', 'p', 'p'.

Based on the fourth letter, the initial order is:

  1. Words with 'b': Problem (2)
  2. Words with 'f': Profound (4)
  3. Words with 'g': Program (1)
  4. Words with 'p': Proposal (3), Property (5)

The first three words in alphabetical order are Problem (2), Profound (4), and Program (1). Now we need to determine the order of Proposal (3) and Property (5), as they both have 'p' as the fourth letter.

  • Compare the fifth letter for 'Proposal' and 'Property'.
Word Fifth Letter
Proposal o
Property e

Comparing 'o' and 'e', 'e' comes before 'o' in the alphabet. Therefore, 'Property' comes before 'Proposal'.

The final alphabetical order of the words is:

  1. Problem (2)
  2. Profound (4)
  3. Program (1)
  4. Property (5)
  5. Proposal (3)

This gives us the sequence 2, 4, 1, 5, 3.

Analyzing the Options

Let's compare our derived sequence with the given options:

  • Option 1: 2, 1, 4, 5, 3
  • Option 2: 2, 4, 1, 5, 3
  • Option 3: 4, 2, 1, 3, 5
  • Option 4: 3, 2, 4, 5, 1

Our derived sequence 2, 4, 1, 5, 3 matches Option 2.

Revision Table: Key Dictionary Order Concepts

Concept Description Example
Alphabetical Order Arranging words based on the standard order of letters in the alphabet. Apple, Banana, Cherry
Lexicographical Order A more formal term for alphabetical order, often used in computing and mathematics. It applies to sequences of elements, not just letters. "cat" < "cats", "apple" < "apply"
Letter-by-Letter Comparison The method used to determine dictionary order, comparing corresponding letters from the beginning of each word until a difference is found. Comparing 'c' and 'd' in 'cat' and 'dog'. 'c' comes before 'd', so 'cat' < 'dog'.
Handling Identical Prefixes If words share a common beginning, comparison continues with the first differing letter. Shorter words with identical prefixes come before longer words (e.g., 'cat' before 'cats'). 'Program', 'Problem' - compare 'g' and 'b'. 'Problem' comes first.

Additional Information: Dictionary Order Logic

Understanding dictionary order is fundamental for organizing information alphabetically. The logic is consistent:

  • Start comparing the first letter of each word. The word with the letter that comes earlier in the alphabet is placed first.
  • If the first letters are the same, move to the second letter and compare.
  • Continue this process, comparing letters at the same position, until you find a position where the letters are different.
  • The word with the letter that appears earlier in the alphabet at this differing position is placed first.
  • If one word runs out of letters while being compared to a longer word with the same prefix, the shorter word comes first. For example, 'car' comes before 'card'.

Applying this systematic letter-by-letter comparison is the key to correctly arranging words in dictionary order.

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Important Questions from Sequence

  1. Arrange the given words in the sequence in which they occur in the dictionary.

    1. TAUNTINGLY

    2. TAUTONYMIES

    3. TAUTOLOGICALLY

    4. TAUTOLOGOUSLY

    5. TAUTOMERIC

  2. Arrange the following words as per the order in the dictionary:

    A. Consume

    B.  Consciousness

    C.  Conscience

    D.  Conservation

    E.  Consequence
  3. Which of the given options would be a logical sequence of the following words?

    1) Primary

    2) Kindergarten

    3) University

    4) Secondary

    5) Higher Secondary
  4. Arrange the given words in the sequence in which they occur in the dictionary.

    1. STALKER

    2. STALKED

    3. STALLER

    4. STAINED

    5. STAMPED

  5. Arrange the given words in the sequence in which they occur in the dictionary.

    1. Quarantine

    2. Quadrangle

    3. Quantifier

    4. Quadruple

    5. Quadriceps

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