Arrange the following words according to English dictionary. (i) Episode (ii)…
2022
Arrange the following words according to English dictionary.
(i) Episode
(ii) Epistle
(iii) Episgraph
(iv) Epigraph
- A.
(i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
- B.
(iv), (ii), (i), (iii)
- C.
(iii), (ii), (i), (iv)
- D.
(iv), (iii), (i), (ii)
Attempted by 4 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Concept
Dictionary (lexicographic) ordering compares two words letter by letter from the left. At the first position where the letters differ, the word whose letter comes earlier in the alphabet is placed first; identical leading letters are skipped until a difference appears.
Application
All four words share the prefix "Epi", so the comparison moves to the fourth letter.
At the fourth letter, Epigraph has "g" while Episode, Epistle and Episgraph all have "s". Since g comes before s, Epigraph is placed first.
For the three words beginning "Epis", compare the fifth letter: Episgraph -> g, Episode -> o, Epistle -> t.
The order g < o < t gives Episgraph, then Episode, then Epistle.
Result
Epigraph (iv), Episgraph (iii), Episode (i), Epistle (ii), giving the sequence (iv), (iii), (i), (ii).
Cross-check
Reading the final list back, each adjacent pair differs at exactly the stated position and in the correct alphabetical direction: Epigraph before Episgraph at letter 4; Episgraph before Episode at letter 5 (g < o); Episode before Epistle at letter 5 (o < t). This confirms the arrangement.