Which name would be filed first in an alphabetical filing system?

Which name would be filed first in an alphabetical filing system?

• A. George Jones
• B. James Meacham
• C. Wilson Babcock
• D. John Williams

Answer: (C)

In an alphabetical filing system, items are arranged primarily by last name from A to Z, using the first name only when a last name is shared. Among the given names, the last names are Babcock, Jones, Meacham, and Williams. Babcock comes first because B is earlier in the alphabet than J, M, or W. Therefore, Wilson Babcock would be filed first. The others would come later for the same reason: their last names start with letters that appear after B. If two people had the same last name, we’d then use the first name to decide the order.

In an alphabetical filing system, items are arranged primarily by last name from A to Z, using the first name only when a last name is shared. Among the given names, the last names are Babcock, Jones, Meacham, and Williams. Babcock comes first because B is earlier in the alphabet than J, M, or W. Therefore, Wilson Babcock would be filed first. The others would come later for the same reason: their last names start with letters that appear after B. If two people had the same last name, we’d then use the first name to decide the order.