Solving Jumbled Sentences: Finding the Correct Order

Jumbled sentences questions require you to arrange given sentences into a coherent paragraph that tells a logical story or explains a process. To solve these, look for:

• An introductory sentence that sets the scene or introduces the main subject.
• Sentences that describe events in chronological order.
• Sentences that show cause and effect.
• Concluding sentences that wrap up the idea.

Let's analyze the given jumbled sentences about Anush and a stray dog:

• Sentence A: Anush was very afraid of stray dogs. (Introduces Anush and his fear, likely a starting point.)
• Sentence B: Anush’s mother saw the dog chasing her son. (Describes an observation made during a chase, happens later.)
• Sentence C: One evening, when a street dog barked at him, Anush turned and started running. (Describes a specific event triggering an action, likely follows A.)
• Sentence D: The dog ran after him barking loudly and fiercely. (Describes the dog's reaction to Anush running, follows C.)

Step-by-Step Ordering of Sentences

1. Start with the sentence that introduces the main character and a key characteristic. Sentence A states Anush's fear of stray dogs, setting the premise for the story. So, A is likely the first sentence.
2. Look for an event that is triggered by the premise. Sentence C describes an evening when a dog barks at Anush, causing him to run, which aligns with his fear mentioned in A. So, C follows A.
3. Identify the immediate consequence of Anush running. Sentence D says the dog ran after him. This is a direct result of Anush's action in C. So, D follows C.
4. Find the sentence that describes an observation or conclusion about the event. Sentence B mentions Anush's mother seeing the chase, which would happen while the events in C and D are occurring. So, B follows D, providing an external perspective on the situation.

This leads to the order A, C, D, B.

Verifying the Order (ACDB)

Let's read the sentences in the order ACDB:

1. Anush was very afraid of stray dogs.
2. One evening, when a street dog barked at him, Anush turned and started running.
3. The dog ran after him barking loudly and fiercely.
4. Anush’s mother saw the dog chasing her son.

This sequence forms a clear and logical narrative:

• It starts by establishing Anush's fear (A).
• Then, it describes an incident that triggered this fear and his reaction (running) (C).
• Next, it shows the dog's reaction to him running (chasing) (D).
• Finally, it adds the detail that someone observed this chase (his mother) (B).

The flow is smooth and the events are in a sensible chronological order.

Final Arranged Paragraph

Anush was very afraid of stray dogs. One evening, when a street dog barked at him, Anush turned and started running. The dog ran after him barking loudly and fiercely. Anush’s mother saw the dog chasing her son.

Therefore, the correct order of the sentences is ACDB.

Revision Table: Jumbled Sentence Order

Additional Information: Tips for Arranging Sentences

When tackling jumbled sentence questions for exam preparation, remember these helpful tips:

• Identify the Topic: What is the main subject or event being discussed in the sentences?
• Look for Connectors: Words like 'therefore', 'however', 'also', 'but', 'so', 'then', 'next' often indicate the relationship between sentences.
• Pronoun Reference: Check if pronouns (he, she, it, they) refer back to nouns introduced in previous sentences. The noun must usually appear before the pronoun.
• Time Markers: Phrases like 'one evening', 'the next day', 'later', 'suddenly' help establish chronology.
• Cause and Effect: Some sentences might describe a cause, and others its effect. The cause usually precedes the effect.
• Read Aloud: After arranging, read the sentences in your chosen order to see if they sound natural and coherent.

Practicing with various types of narratives and descriptive passages will improve your ability to quickly identify the correct sentence order.