Direction: In the items in this section, each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R, and S. You are required to find out the proper order for the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet. S1: The machines that drive modern civilisation derive their power from coal and oil. S6: Nuclear energy may also be effectively used in this respect. P: But they are not inexhaustible. Q: These sources may not be exhausted very soon. R: A time may come when some other sources have to be tapped and utilised. S: Power may, of course, be obtained in future from forests, water, wind and withered vegetables. The proper sequence should be
Q P R S
Understanding Sentence Reordering (Paragraph Jumbles)
This question asks us to arrange four jumbled sentences (P, Q, R, S) in a logical order between a given first sentence (S1) and a given sixth sentence (S6) to form a coherent paragraph. This is a common type of question that tests your ability to understand the flow of ideas and connections between sentences.
Let's look at the given sentences:
- S1: The machines that drive modern civilisation derive their power from coal and oil.
- S6: Nuclear energy may also be effectively used in this respect.
And the jumbled sentences:
- P: But they are not inexhaustible.
- Q: These sources may not be exhausted very soon.
- R: A time may come when some other sources have to be tapped and utilised.
- S: Power may, of course, be obtained in future from forests, water, wind and withered vegetables.
Analyzing the Sentences and Potential Connections
We need to find the sequence that creates a smooth transition from S1 to the middle sentences, connects the middle sentences logically, and leads smoothly to S6.
- S1 introduces coal and oil as primary power sources.
- S6 talks about Nuclear energy as another potential power source.
Let's examine the jumbled sentences:
- P: Starts with "But they...". "They" likely refers to the sources mentioned in S1 (coal and oil). "But" indicates a contrast, suggesting a limitation or negative aspect of these sources.
- Q: Starts with "These sources...". "These sources" clearly refers back to the sources mentioned in S1 (coal and oil). It suggests they might last a while.
- R: Talks about "some other sources" and the need to "tap and utilise" them when a "time may come". This suggests a future need for alternatives to the current sources.
- S: Gives examples of "other sources" like forests, water, wind, etc., mentioning they can be obtained "in future". This seems to follow R, providing details about the alternative sources needed.
Building the Logical Flow: Step-by-Step Reordering
Let's try to build the paragraph by finding logical links:
- Start from S1: S1 talks about coal and oil. Which sentence follows up on this? Both Q and P refer to "these sources" or "they", linking back to S1. Q talks about them not being exhausted soon, while P talks about them being inexhaustible. Q seems like a milder statement about the current state before introducing the limitation in P. So, S1 followed by Q is a strong possibility.
- Connecting Q and P: Q says the sources (coal and oil) "may not be exhausted very soon". P says "But they are not inexhaustible". This creates a direct contrast. Q presents a short-term view (might last), and P provides the crucial long-term reality (they will run out). The "But" in P perfectly contrasts with the idea in Q. So, Q followed by P is a very logical sequence.
- Connecting P and R: P establishes that coal and oil are "not inexhaustible". What is the consequence of them being exhaustible? R states that "A time may come when some other sources have to be tapped and utilised." This is the direct logical result of current sources being limited. So, P followed by R makes sense.
- Connecting R and S: R talks about the need for "some other sources" in the future. S provides examples of these "other sources" (forests, water, wind, etc.) that can be obtained "in future". S clearly elaborates on R. So, R followed by S is logical.
- Connecting S and S6: S lists various future energy sources like forests, water, wind. S6 introduces "Nuclear energy" as another source that can be used effectively "in this respect" (referring to obtaining power). S6 fits well as an additional important future source after the examples in S.
Following this step-by-step analysis, the sequence Q P R S emerges as the most logical arrangement.
Verifying the Sequence (S1-Q-P-R-S-S6)
Let's read the full paragraph with the sequence Q P R S:
S1: The machines that drive modern civilisation derive their power from coal and oil.
Q: These sources may not be exhausted very soon.
P: But they are not inexhaustible.
R: A time may come when some other sources have to be tapped and utilised.
S: Power may, of course, be obtained in future from forests, water, wind and withered vegetables.
S6: Nuclear energy may also be effectively used in this respect.
This sequence flows smoothly and logically, discussing current sources, their limitations, the need for alternatives, examples of alternatives, and another significant alternative.
Other possible starting points or connections seem less logical:
- Starting with P ("But they..."): This "But" needs something to contrast with, usually the abundance mentioned in S1 or Q. P doesn't flow directly from S1 as well as Q does.
- Starting with R ("A time may come..."): This talks about future need, which logically follows the limitation of current sources (P). It shouldn't come immediately after S1.
- Starting with S ("Power may...from forests..."): This lists examples of future sources. It needs to follow a sentence that mentions the need for future sources, like R.
Conclusion on Sentence Order
Based on the logical connections and flow of ideas, the correct sequence for the jumbled sentences (P, Q, R, S) is Q P R S.
The final answer is the sequence Q P R S.
Revision Table: Sentence Reordering Strategy
| Step | Action | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read S1 and S6 carefully. | Understand the beginning and end context. |
| 2 | Read P, Q, R, S. | Get a general sense of each sentence's topic. |
| 3 | Look for links to S1. | Which sentence logically follows S1? |
| 4 | Look for links between P, Q, R, S. | Identify sentences that refer to previous ones (pronouns, transition words like "but", "therefore", "also", etc.). Find cause-and-effect or example-general relationships. |
| 5 | Look for links to S6. | Which sentence logically precedes S6? |
| 6 | Test potential sequences. | Read promising combinations to see if they form a coherent paragraph. |
Additional Information on Paragraph Jumbles
Sentence reordering, or paragraph jumbles, is a common verbal ability question type. Success depends on identifying logical connections between sentences. Here are some types of connections to look for:
- Pronoun References: Look for pronouns (he, she, it, they, this, that, these, those) and identify what noun they refer to in a previous sentence.
- Transition Words: Words or phrases like "however", "therefore", "for example", "in addition", "but", "also", "similarly", "consequently" indicate relationships between ideas (contrast, cause/effect, addition, illustration).
- Cause and Effect: One sentence describes a cause, and the next describes its effect.
- General to Specific: A general statement is followed by specific examples or details.
- Chronological Order: Sentences follow a timeline of events.
- Concept Introduction and Development: A concept is introduced and then discussed or explained in subsequent sentences.
- Keywords Repetition: Look for repetition of keywords or related concepts across sentences, which helps maintain the topic.
Practicing with different types of passages will help you become better at spotting these links and arranging sentences quickly and accurately.
Important Questions from Para Jumbles
Direction: In the items in this section, each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper order for the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
S1: At the roadside, the driver will be asked to blow through a small glass tube into a plastic bag.
S6: The driver will be asked to go to the police station.
P: And if the colour change does not reach the line the driver cannot be punished under the new law.
Q: Inside the tube are chemically treated crystals which change colour if the driver has alcohol on his breath.
R: But if the colour change does reach the line then the test has proved positive.
S: If the colour change goes beyond a certain line marked on the tube this indicates that the driver is probably over the specified limit.
The proper sequence should be
Direction: In the items in this section, each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R, and S. You are required to find out the proper order for the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
S1: Hope springs eternally in the heart of man.
S6: This is the central idea of the poem.
P: But hope is everlasting.
Q: Love, friendship, and youth perish.
R: It is nursed by the glorious elements of nature.
S: Man derives hope from nature in his gallant struggle after some noble ideal.
The proper sequence should be
Direction: In the items in this section, each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R, and S. You are required to find out the proper order for the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
S1: Mr. Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Watson were spending a weekend in a University town.
S6: It was clear that something very unusual happened.
P: One evening they received a visit from an acquaintance, Mr. Hilton Soames.
Q: On that occasion, he was in a state of great agitation.
R: They were staying in furnished rooms, close to the library.
S: Mr. Soames was a tall, thin man of a nervous and excitable nature.
The proper sequence should be
Direction: In the items in this section, each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R, and S. You are required to find out the proper order for the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
S1: The body can never stop.
S6: It comes from food.
P: To support this endless activity, the body needs all the fuel for action.
Q: Sometimes it is more active than at other times, but it is always moving.
R: Even in the deepest sleep we must breathe.
S: The fuel must come from somewhere.
The proper sequence should be
Direction: In the items in this section, each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labeled P, Q, R, and S. You are required to find out the proper order for the four sentences and mark accordingly on the Answer Sheet.
S1: American idealism is essentially a belief in the idea of progress.
S6: This sense they have inherited from the English.
P: Therefore, he believes that because of human effort the future will be better than the past.
Q: But if Americans are usually optimistic, they are not wholly unrealistic.
R: The American tends to view history as a record of human achievement.
S: They have some common-sense practicality.
The proper sequence should be
