Which word comes first in a dictionary?

Answer: (C) Shroud

Explanation:

Compare the words alphabetically, letter by letter.

• All words begin with "Sh".
• Compare the third letter:
  • Shrub → third letter: r
  • Shudder → third letter: u
  • Shroud → third letter: r
  • Shuttle → third letter: u
• Words starting with "Shr" are Shrub and Shroud. Compare their fourth letters:
  • Shrub → fourth letter: u
  • Shroud → fourth letter: o
  Since o comes before u, Shroud comes before Shrub.
• Words starting with "Shu" are Shudder and Shuttle. Compare fourth letters:
  • Shudder → fourth letter: d
  • Shuttle → fourth letter: t
  So Shudder comes before Shuttle.
• Finally, compare the earliest candidates: Shroud (Shro...) and Shudder (Shud...). Since o comes before u, Shroud is first overall.