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
R P Q S
Understanding Sentence Reordering (Para Jumbles)
This question asks us to arrange four jumbled sentences (P, Q, R, S) between a fixed starting sentence (S1) and a fixed ending sentence (S6) to form a coherent paragraph. The passage discusses American idealism and its characteristics.
Analyzing the Fixed Sentences
- S1: American idealism is essentially a belief in the idea of progress. This sentence introduces the main topic: American idealism and its core concept of progress.
- S6: This sense they have inherited from the English. This sentence concludes the paragraph by referring to a "sense" inherited from the English. We need to figure out what "This sense" refers to.
Analyzing the Jumbled Sentences (P, Q, R, S)
- P: Therefore, he believes that because of human effort the future will be better than the past. The word "Therefore" indicates that this sentence is a consequence or conclusion drawn from a previous statement. "He" likely refers to the "American" mentioned implicitly or explicitly elsewhere. The belief is about the future being better due to human effort, linking back to the idea of progress.
- Q: But if Americans are usually optimistic, they are not wholly unrealistic. The word "But" introduces a contrast or qualification. It suggests that despite being optimistic (linked to idealism and progress), there is another side – they are not unrealistic. This sentence shifts the focus slightly.
- R: The American tends to view history as a record of human achievement. This sentence describes how Americans see history. Viewing history as achievement directly supports the idea of progress mentioned in S1, suggesting that progress is seen as a historical reality or trend.
- S: They have some common-sense practicality. The pronoun "They" likely refers to "Americans". This sentence describes a characteristic: practicality. This characteristic could be related to the idea of not being wholly unrealistic, as mentioned in Q.
Finding the Logical Flow: Step-by-Step Arrangement
- Starting with S1: S1 introduces the core concept: American idealism as belief in progress. We need a sentence that builds upon or explains this.
- Connecting S1 to R: R states that Americans view history as human achievement. This viewing of history directly supports the belief in progress mentioned in S1. If history is a record of achievement, it implies things have gotten better, reinforcing the idea of progress. So, R seems to logically follow S1. (S1 → R)
- Connecting R to P: P starts with "Therefore" and talks about believing the future will be better *because of human effort*. This is a direct consequence of viewing history as a record of *human achievement* (R). If history shows human effort leads to achievement (R), therefore one believes future effort will lead to better outcomes (P). So, P logically follows R. (R → P)
- Transitioning with Q: R and P describe the optimistic side (idealism, progress, better future). Q starts with "But", introducing a contrast: not wholly unrealistic, despite being optimistic. This contrast fits well after the discussion of optimism (R and P). (P → Q)
- Supporting Q with S: Q states Americans are not wholly unrealistic. S explains *how* they are not unrealistic: they have common-sense practicality. S provides the reason or evidence for the statement in Q. So, S logically follows Q. (Q → S)
- Concluding with S6: S6 says "This sense they have inherited from the English." The "sense" likely refers to the characteristic discussed just before – common-sense practicality (S), which is part of being not wholly unrealistic (Q). So, S6 follows S. (S → S6)
Forming the Complete Sequence
Based on the step-by-step analysis, the logical sequence of the middle sentences is R → P → Q → S. The complete paragraph structure is S1 → R → P → Q → S → S6. S1: American idealism is essentially a belief in the idea of progress. R: The American tends to view history as a record of human achievement. 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. S: They have some common-sense practicality. S6: This sense they have inherited from the English. This sequence creates a coherent and flowing paragraph.Final Answer Derivation
The proper order for the jumbled sentences P, Q, R, and S is R P Q S.Revision Table: Para Jumble Strategy
| Strategy Point | Explanation | Application Here |
|---|---|---|
| Identify S1 and S6 | Understand the start and end points and the overall topic. | S1 introduces idealism/progress; S6 ends with inherited "sense". |
| Look for Connectors | Words like "therefore," "but," "however," pronouns, demonstratives ("this," "these") indicate links. | "Therefore" in P, "But" in Q, "They" in S, "This sense" in S6 are crucial clues. |
| Establish Links Between Sentences | Find pairs or small sequences based on logical flow, grammar, and meaning. | S1 → R (progress → history as achievement). R → P (achievement → belief in future effort). Q → S (not unrealistic → practicality). |
| Build the Complete Sequence | Combine the established links to form the full order. | S1 → (R → P) → (Q → S) → S6. Combining gives S1 → R → P → Q → S → S6. |
| Read Through the Full Paragraph | Verify if the arranged sequence makes sense and flows smoothly. | Reading S1, R, P, Q, S, S6 forms a logical paragraph about American optimism and practicality. |
Additional Information: Types of Reading Comprehension Questions
Para jumbles are a common type of question in reading comprehension or verbal ability sections of many exams. They test your ability to understand logical connections and structure in a text. Other common question types include:
- Main Idea Questions: Identifying the central theme of a passage.
- Detail Questions: Finding specific information mentioned in the text.
- Inference Questions: Drawing conclusions based on the information given, even if not explicitly stated.
- Vocabulary Questions: Understanding the meaning of words or phrases in context.
- Tone/Mood Questions: Determining the author's attitude or the feeling conveyed by the passage.
- Author's Purpose Questions: Identifying why the author wrote the passage (to inform, persuade, entertain, etc.).
Practicing different types of reading comprehension questions, including sentence reordering, helps improve overall reading skills and exam performance.
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 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
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
