Final answer:
The correct term for preparing items for filing is typically 'document preparation' or 'sorting,' which includes removing extraneous items like tape and paper clips, aligning papers, and categorizing them for filing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term you're looking for that describes 'preparing items for filing by removing loose pieces of tape or paper clips' is not padding. Unfortunately, the term padding is not related to the process of preparing documents for filing; rather, it refers to adding extra material to something to make it thicker or more substantial. The correct term for organizing and preparing documents for filing is typically referred to as 'document preparation' or 'sorting.' This process may involve removing extraneous items like tape or paper clips, aligning the papers, and categorizing them as needed for an efficient filing system.
The passage provided does not directly relate to the process of document preparation but does highlight the meticulous organization of a desk and the discovery of an old bandanna handkerchief inside a file, symbolizing something valuable or important that was saved and obscured amongst the files.