Arrange the following words in alphabetical (dictionary) order: 1. Zephyr 2.…
2024
Arrange the following words in alphabetical (dictionary) order:
1. Zephyr 2. Zodiac 3. Zoonomy 4. Zenith 5. Zig-zag
- A.
4-1-5-2-3
- B.
4-1-3-2-5
- C.
4-1-2-3-5
- D.
1-2-3-4-5
Attempted by 5 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept: To arrange words alphabetically, compare them letter by letter from left to right; the first position where two words differ decides their order.
Application: All five words start with 'Z', so comparisons must go to the second, third, ... letters.
Group by second letter: 'Ze-' words are Zenith and Zephyr, the 'Zi-' word is Zig-zag, and 'Zo-' words are Zodiac and Zoonomy. Since e precedes i and i precedes o in the alphabet, the group order is Ze- words, then the Zi- word, then Zo- words.
Within the Ze- group, compare the third letter of Zenith and Zephyr: 'n' precedes 'p', so Zenith comes before Zephyr.
The Zi- group has only Zig-zag, so it slots in directly after the Ze- group.
Within the Zo- group, compare the third letter of Zodiac and Zoonomy: 'd' precedes 'o', so Zodiac comes before Zoonomy.
Putting the groups together: Zenith (4), Zephyr (1), Zig-zag (5), Zodiac (2), Zoonomy (3) — the sequence 4-1-5-2-3.
Cross-check: Re-reading the final sequence letter by letter (Ze-n before Ze-p, Zi before Zo-d before Zo-o) confirms 4-1-5-2-3 is fully alphabetical, matching one of the offered sequences exactly.