Arranging Sentences: Tony Robbins Paragraph

The question asks us to arrange the given jumbled sentences to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph about Tony Robbins. To do this, we need to identify the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentences, and look for logical connections, transitions, and the flow of ideas.

Here are the sentences provided:

• A. But he has reached out to millions of people the world over and helped to improve their lives.
• B. Born in downtown Los Angeles in 1960, Tony Robins came from very humble beginnings.
• C. Now he travels by private jet and owns properties in many parts of the world.
• D. His family had been fed by others when they did not have enough money for food.

Identifying the Starting Sentence

A good paragraph usually starts with a topic sentence that introduces the subject. Sentence B introduces Tony Robbins and mentions his "very humble beginnings." This seems like a suitable opening sentence.

Sentence A starts with "But," indicating a contrast, so it cannot be the first sentence. Sentence C starts with "Now," indicating a change in circumstances, implying a contrast with the past, so it's unlikely to be the first. Sentence D provides a specific detail about his family's past circumstances, which likely follows a sentence introducing his humble beginnings.

Thus, sentence B is the most likely starting sentence.

Building the Paragraph: Finding the Flow

If B is the start (introducing humble beginnings), what comes next? Sentence D provides a specific example ("His family had been fed by others...") that directly supports the idea of "very humble beginnings" mentioned in B. So, BD is a logical sequence.

After establishing the humble past (B and D), the paragraph needs to move forward. Sentence C talks about his current status ("Now he travels by private jet and owns properties..."). This presents a clear contrast with his humble past, showing his success. So, B $\rightarrow$ D $\rightarrow$ C creates a narrative flow from past poverty to present wealth.

Finally, sentence A starts with "But he has reached out to millions...". The word "But" often introduces a contrast or a more important point after discussing something else, like material success. Sentence C discusses his material wealth (private jet, properties). Sentence A talks about his impact on people's lives. This fits perfectly as a follow-up to C: he is wealthy (C), but the significant aspect of his life is his impact on others (A).

So, the order BDCA follows a logical progression:

1. Introduce Tony Robbins and his humble origins (B).
2. Provide a specific detail illustrating the humble origins (D).
3. Describe his current material success, contrasting with his past (C).
4. Describe his significant impact on others, potentially contrasting the purpose of his life with mere material wealth (A).

Step-by-Step Verification of BDCA

• B: Born in downtown Los Angeles in 1960, Tony Robins came from very humble beginnings. (Sets the scene and introduces the subject's background).
• D: His family had been fed by others when they did not have enough money for food. (Expands on the "humble beginnings" with a concrete example).
• C: Now he travels by private jet and owns properties in many parts of the world. (Shows a dramatic change from his past, highlighting current success/wealth).
• A: But he has reached out to millions of people the world over and helped to improve their lives. (Adds a crucial dimension to his success, contrasting his material wealth with his significant humanitarian/professional impact. The 'But' signals that his impact is perhaps the more noteworthy aspect compared to his personal wealth).

This sequence creates a smooth and coherent paragraph, moving from background to detail, then to current status (material), and finally to impact (purpose).

Summary of the Correct Order

Based on the logical flow and sentence connections, the correct arrangement is BDCA.

Revision Table: Checking Sentence Arrangement

Reviewing the process helps reinforce the strategy for sentence ordering. Key steps involve identifying the introduction, body sentences, and potential conclusion, and looking for connectors and logical transitions.

The BDCA order successfully transitions from past circumstances to present achievements, creating a complete mini-biography summary.

Additional Information: Tips for Paragraph Arrangement

Here are some general tips for arranging jumbled sentences:

• Look for the topic sentence, which usually introduces the main idea.
• Identify sentences that provide supporting details or examples.
• Look for chronological order (time sequence).
• Identify cause and effect relationships.
• Pay attention to transition words and phrases (e.g., 'But', 'However', 'Therefore', 'Also', 'Now', 'In addition', 'For example').
• Look for pronoun references (e.g., 'he', 'she', 'it', 'they') and ensure they refer back to a noun mentioned in a previous sentence.
• Read the arranged paragraph to ensure it flows logically and makes sense.

Practicing with different types of jumbled paragraphs helps improve this skill for reading comprehension and grammar sections in exams.