Correct Answer: 3, 1, 2, 4

Solution : Given:
1. Maternity 2. Matriarchy 3. Matchbox 4. Matricide

Step 1: Since all the words start with the same letter M , so move on to the next letter.
Step 2: The second, and third letters of each word are the same, i.e., a , and t . So, move on to the next letter.
Step 3: Compare the fourth letter of (Mat e rnity, Mat r iarchy, Mat c hbox, Mat r icide). Matchbox will come before Maternity, Matriarchy, and Matricide as c comes before e , and r according to the alphabetical system. Similarly, Maternity will come before Matriarchy, and Matricide as e comes before r according to the alphabetical system.
Step 4: The fifth letter of (Matr i archy, Matr i cide) is the same, so move on to the next letter.
Step 5: Compare the sixth letter of (Matri a rchy, Matri c ide). Matriarchy will come before Matricide as a comes before c according to the alphabetical system.

So, the sequence is Matchbox, Maternity, Matriarchy, Matricide, or 3, 1, 2, 4. Hence, the first option is correct.