Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Alphabetical sorting requires comparing words letter-by-letter from left to right.
When the first letters of multiple words are identical, we compare the second letters, then the third, and so on, until a difference is found.
Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze and compare the given words:
- A. Preach
- B. Praise
- C. Precinct
- D. Precede
All four words begin with the prefix "Pr-". Let us compare their third letters:
- B. Praise has 'a' as its third letter ("Pra..."). Since 'a' comes first in the alphabet, B. Praise is the first word in alphabetical order.
The remaining three words (Preach, Precinct, Precede) all have 'e' as their third letter ("Pre..."). Let us compare their fourth letters:
- A. Preach has 'a' as its fourth letter ("Prea..."). Since 'a' comes before 'c', A. Preach comes second.
The remaining two words (Precinct, Precede) both have 'c' as their fourth letter ("Prec..."). Let us compare their fifth letters:
- D. Precede has 'e' as its fifth letter ("Prece...").
- C. Precinct has 'i' as its fifth letter ("Preci...").
Since 'e' comes before 'i', D. Precede comes third, and C. Precinct comes fourth.
Combining these steps, the alphabetical order is: B \(\rightarrow\) A \(\rightarrow\) D \(\rightarrow\) C.
Step 2: Final Answer:
The correct alphabetical order is B, A, D, C, corresponding to Option (D).