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Question

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

S1 : Hunger and malnutrition are outcomes of food insecurity or the inability to access adequate food and nutrition.

S6 : It is most likely that India is going to miss the Millennium Development Goal in this regard.

P : In 2001-03, every fifth Indian was found to be undernourished.

Q : The rate of decline in this proportion of the undernourished through the 1990s was much slower in comparison to the decline in poverty headcount ratio.

R : Hunger-related poverty remains one of the major deprivations in India.

S : In fact, the proportion of undernourished people remained stagnant at 21% in the second half of 1990s, and the number actually increased.

The correct sequence should be:

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2022 English Previous Year Paper (10-April-2022)
The correct answer is

RPQS

Understanding Jumbled Sentences

This type of question requires you to arrange a set of jumbled sentences (P, Q, R, S) in a logical order so that they form a coherent paragraph when placed between the given first (S1) and last (S6) sentences. The key is to identify the flow of ideas and the connections between sentences.

Analyzing the Passage Sentences

Let's examine the role of each sentence provided:

  • S1: Hunger and malnutrition are outcomes of food insecurity or the inability to access adequate food and nutrition. (This sentence introduces the core topic: the relationship between hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity).
  • S6: It is most likely that India is going to miss the Millennium Development Goal in this regard. (This is the concluding sentence, indicating a consequence related to the topic, specifically about India failing to achieve a target).

Now, let's look at the jumbled sentences:

  • P: In 2001-03, every fifth Indian was found to be undernourished. (This provides a specific statistic about the prevalence of undernourishment in India during a particular period).
  • Q: The rate of decline in this proportion of the undernourished through the 1990s was much slower in comparison to the decline in poverty headcount ratio. (This sentence comments on the trend or speed of change in the undernourishment rate over time, comparing it to poverty reduction).
  • R: Hunger-related poverty remains one of the major deprivations in India. (This sentence connects the topic of hunger/malnutrition from S1 to the context of India, identifying it as a significant issue or deprivation).
  • S: In fact, the proportion of undernourished people remained stagnant at 21% in the second half of 1990s, and the number actually increased. (This sentence provides specific data or evidence supporting the claim made in Q about the slow decline, highlighting stagnation).

Step-by-Step Arrangement of Sentences

We need to find a logical sequence for P, Q, R, and S that fits between S1 and S6.

  1. S1 introduces the general concept of hunger, malnutrition, and food insecurity. Sentence R directly relates this concept to India, stating that "Hunger-related poverty remains one of the major deprivations in India." This makes R a strong candidate to follow S1, as it brings the discussion to the specific context of India. So, the sequence likely starts with R after S1 (S1 > R).
  2. Following R, which identifies hunger-related poverty as a major deprivation in India, it would be logical to provide some evidence or data about this deprivation. Sentence P offers a statistic: "In 2001-03, every fifth Indian was found to be undernourished." This statistic directly supports the statement in R. Therefore, P likely follows R (R > P).
  3. Now we have a statistic about undernourishment (P: 2001-03). Sentences Q and S discuss the trend or rate of change in this undernourishment over time, specifically focusing on the 1990s. Q states that the "rate of decline in this proportion ... through the 1990s was much slower". Sentence S provides specific data for the "second half of the 1990s," stating the proportion "remained stagnant." Q makes a claim about the slow rate of decline, and S provides data (stagnation) that supports this claim for a specific period within or leading up to the period in P. It is logical to make a statement about the rate of change (Q) and then provide specific data confirming that rate (S). Thus, Q follows P, and S follows Q (P > Q > S).
  4. Let's check the full sequence developed: S1 > R > P > Q > S > S6.
    • S1: Introduces the topic.
    • R: Brings the topic to India as a major issue.
    • P: Gives a statistic of the issue in India (2001-03).
    • Q: Comments on the *rate of decline* of this issue through the 1990s (slow).
    • S: Gives specific data for the late 1990s supporting the claim of slow decline/stagnation made in Q.
    • S6: States the consequence of this slow progress (missing the MDG).

This sequence, RPQS, creates a cohesive narrative about the state of hunger and malnutrition in India, discussing its severity, providing a statistic, detailing the slow progress over time, and concluding with the likely consequence of missing a global goal.

Summary of the Correct Arrangement

Based on the logical connections and flow of ideas, the correct sequence of the jumbled sentences P, Q, R, and S is R P Q S.

Position Sentence Role in the Passage
S1 Hunger and malnutrition are outcomes of food insecurity or the inability to access adequate food and nutrition. Beginning of the passage.
1st (R) Hunger-related poverty remains one of the major deprivations in India. Connects S1 to the Indian context.
2nd (P) In 2001-03, every fifth Indian was found to be undernourished. Provides a specific statistic supporting R.
3rd (Q) The rate of decline in this proportion of the undernourished through the 1990s was much slower in comparison to the decline in poverty headcount ratio. Discusses the trend related to the statistic in P, focusing on the 1990s.
4th (S) In fact, the proportion of undernourished people remained stagnant at 21% in the second half of 1990s, and the number actually increased. Provides data supporting the claim in Q.
S6 It is most likely that India is going to miss the Millennium Development Goal in this regard. End of the passage.

The correct sequence is R P Q S.

Revision Table: Mastering Jumbled Sentences

Strategy Description Application
Read All Sentences Read S1, S6, P, Q, R, S carefully to grasp the overall theme. Helps understand the topic is about hunger/malnutrition in India and progress towards goals.
Identify S1 & S6 Connections See how the middle sentences should flow from S1 and lead to S6. S1 defines the issue; S6 talks about missing a goal regarding this issue. Middle sentences must bridge this.
Look for Opening Sentence (among P,Q,R,S) Find the sentence that logically follows S1. Often, it narrows the topic or provides context. R follows S1 by focusing on India and calling it a major deprivation.
Identify Core Ideas & Details Distinguish between general statements, specific examples/data, and concluding remarks within P, Q, R, S. R is a general statement about India; P and S are specific data points; Q is about a trend.
Find Connecting Words Pay attention to pronouns, transition words ("in fact," "therefore," "however"), and repeated ideas that link sentences. "This proportion" in Q refers to the undernourished people mentioned elsewhere (P/S). "In fact" in S suggests it provides evidence for a preceding statement (Q).
Establish Links (Pairing) Try to find pairs of sentences that logically follow each other (e.g., cause-effect, general-specific, statement-explanation). R (general issue) > P (specific statistic). Q (claim about slow decline) > S (data showing stagnation).

Additional Information on India's Nutrition Challenges

India faces significant challenges related to nutrition. While there have been improvements over the years, the pace has been slow. Factors contributing to hunger and malnutrition include poverty, lack of access to clean water and sanitation, inadequate healthcare, low awareness about nutrition, and challenges in food distribution systems. Government schemes and policies aim to address these issues through initiatives like the National Food Security Act, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and the Public Distribution System (PDS). However, effective implementation and reaching the most vulnerable populations remain critical challenges in tackling hunger and malnutrition and achieving national and international development targets like the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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