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Question

Direction: In this section, each item consists of six sentences of a passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up and labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences.

S1: The Indian Civil Service gradually developed into one of the most efficient and powerful civil services in the world.
S6: though these qualities obviously served British, and not Indian interests.
P: and often participated in the making of policy
Q: independence, integrity and hard work
R: They developed certain traditions of
S: Its members exercised vast power
The proper sequence should be

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2018 GAT Previous Year Paper (22-Apr-2018)
The correct answer is

S P R Q

Understanding Sentence Sequencing: The Indian Civil Service

This question asks us to arrange four jumbled sentences (P, Q, R, S) into a coherent paragraph, fitting logically between the given first sentence (S1) and the sixth sentence (S6).

Let's look at the sentences provided:

  • S1: The Indian Civil Service gradually developed into one of the most efficient and powerful civil services in the world.
  • S6: though these qualities obviously served British, and not Indian interests.
  • P: and often participated in the making of policy
  • Q: independence, integrity and hard work
  • R: They developed certain traditions of
  • S: Its members exercised vast power

Step-by-Step Analysis to Find the Proper Sequence

We need to find the logical flow of the sentences. S1 introduces the Indian Civil Service (ICS) and mentions its efficiency and power.

  1. Connecting S1: S1 talks about the ICS becoming "powerful". Sentence S directly states that "Its members exercised vast power". This sentence directly explains how the ICS demonstrated its power, making it a strong follow-up to S1. So, S comes after S1. (S1 → S)
  2. Following S: Sentence S mentions "vast power". Sentence P says members "often participated in the making of policy". Participating in policy-making is a key way members would exercise their vast power. Thus, P logically follows S. (S → P)
  3. Introducing Qualities/Traditions: After discussing the power and policy-making role, the paragraph might shift to other aspects like traditions or qualities. Sentence R introduces this by saying "They developed certain traditions of...". This sets up a description of these traditions. (P → R)
  4. Listing Qualities: Sentence R talks about "traditions of". Sentence Q lists specific qualities: "independence, integrity and hard work". These are the qualities that the ICS members developed traditions of. So, Q follows R, completing the idea introduced in R. (R → Q)
  5. Connecting to S6: The sequence R Q gives us "They developed certain traditions of independence, integrity and hard work". S6 follows by saying "though these qualities obviously served British, and not Indian interests". S6 directly refers to "these qualities" mentioned in Q. This confirms that R Q comes before S6. (R Q → S6)

Following this logical path, the sequence emerges as S → P → R → Q.

Let's read the complete passage with this sequence:

S1: The Indian Civil Service gradually developed into one of the most efficient and powerful civil services in the world.

S: Its members exercised vast power

P: and often participated in the making of policy

R: They developed certain traditions of

Q: independence, integrity and hard work

S6: though these qualities obviously served British, and not Indian interests.

This sequence reads smoothly and logically connects the ideas presented in S1 and S6.

Analyzing the Options

Let's briefly look at why other sequences might not work:

  • P Q R S: Starts with P ("and often participated..."), which feels like a continuation and shouldn't be immediately after S1.
  • Q R S P: Starts with Q ("independence, integrity and hard work"), which are qualities. R follows ("They developed traditions of"), but Q is already a list of qualities, making R Q redundant or awkwardly phrased. Also, S ("Its members exercised vast power") and P ("and often participated...") don't follow logically from developed traditions.
  • R S Q P: Starts with R ("They developed certain traditions of"). S follows ("Its members exercised vast power"), which is a sudden shift from traditions to power.

The sequence S P R Q provides the most coherent flow, moving from the power of the ICS (S, P) to the traditions and qualities they developed (R, Q).

Sentence Sequencing Flow
Sentence Connects From Connection Type Connects To
S1 - Introduces ICS power S
S S1 Explains power ("vast power") P
P S Details power ("participated in policy") R
R P Introduces traditions Q
Q R Lists qualities (the traditions) S6
S6 Q Refers back to qualities -

Therefore, the proper sequence is S P R Q.

Revision Table: Sentence Sequencing Tips

Mastering sentence sequencing, also known as Para Jumbles, requires practice. Here are some key strategies:

  • Read all sentences (S1, S6, and jumbled) carefully to understand the main topic.
  • Identify S1 and S6 as the starting and ending points.
  • Look for connecting words or phrases:
    • Pronouns (he, she, it, they, this, that) that refer to a noun in a previous sentence.
    • Transition words (however, therefore, also, moreover, but, and).
    • Articles (a, an, the) - 'the' often refers to something previously introduced with 'a' or 'an'.
  • Identify topic sentences or introductory sentences among P, Q, R, S.
  • Look for cause-and-effect relationships or chronological order.
  • Pay attention to noun-pronoun links.
  • Once you have a potential sequence, read it aloud to check for flow and coherence.
  • Eliminate options that start or end awkwardly or break the logical connection.

Additional Information: The Indian Civil Service

The Indian Civil Service (ICS) was the elite higher civil service of the British Indian Empire. Its members, often referred to as 'civilians', held key administrative positions, including magistrates, collectors, and commissioners. The ICS was known for its strict entry standards, rigorous training, and significant authority. While often praised by the British for its efficiency and integrity, its primary purpose was to maintain British control over India. After India's independence in 1947, the ICS was succeeded by the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and other civil services, which retained some of the organizational structure and traditions but aimed to serve the interests of independent India.

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