Arrange the following words as per their order in an English dictionary and choose the one that comes first:
Hardboard; Handspring; Handover; Handstand

To find the word that appears first in an English dictionary, we compare the given words letter by letter from left to right:
Hardboard

Handspring

Handover

Handstand

All four words share the first two letters: "Ha".

Comparing the 3rd letters:

In Hardboard, the third letter is 'r'.

In Handspring, Handover, and Handstand, the third letter is 'n'.

Since 'n' comes before 'r' in the alphabetical sequence, "Hardboard" is eliminated from being first.

Now compare the remaining three words: "Handspring", "Handover", "Handstand".
They all share the first four letters: "Hand".

Let's look at the 5th letters:

Handspring → 's'

Handover → 'o'

Handstand → 's'

Comparing 's' and 'o', 'o' comes before 's' in alphabetical order.
Therefore, Handover will appear first in the dictionary.