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Question

Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the parts of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to re-arrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.

humans and machines have co-existed (P) dating back to the invention of (Q) the potter's wheel in ancient Mesopotamia (R) at the physical level for millennia (S)

This question was previously asked in
NDA II 2019 GAT Previous Year Paper (17-Nov-2019)
The correct answer is

P S Q R

Solving Jumbled Sentence Questions

This question requires us to rearrange the given parts of a sentence, labeled P, Q, R, and S, to form a grammatically correct and coherent sentence. These types of questions test your understanding of sentence structure and logical flow.

Analyzing the Jumbled Parts

Let's look at the individual parts:

  • P: humans and machines have co-existed
  • Q: dating back to the invention of
  • R: the potter's wheel in ancient Mesopotamia
  • S: at the physical level for millennia

We need to find a logical sequence for these parts.

Step-by-Step Rearrangement Process

Let's try to connect the parts based on meaning and grammar:

  1. Part P introduces the main subject and verb: "humans and machines have co-existed". This is a strong candidate for the beginning of the sentence.
  2. We need to find what follows "co-existed". Part S, "at the physical level for millennia", fits well, describing how and for how long they have co-existed. So, P followed by S seems logical: "humans and machines have co-existed at the physical level for millennia".
  3. Now we have "for millennia". Part Q, "dating back to the invention of", can explain the origin of this millennia-long co-existence. So, S followed by Q works: "...for millennia dating back to the invention of".
  4. Finally, Part R, "the potter's wheel in ancient Mesopotamia", completes the phrase started by Q, specifying what invention is being referred to. So, Q followed by R is the correct completion: "...dating back to the invention of the potter's wheel in ancient Mesopotamia".

Following this logic, the sequence P → S → Q → R creates a complete and meaningful sentence.

Reconstructed Sentence

Putting the parts together in the order P S Q R gives:

"humans and machines have co-existed at the physical level for millennia dating back to the invention of the potter's wheel in ancient Mesopotamia."

This sentence makes perfect sense and follows standard English grammar.

Identifying the Correct Sequence

The correct sequence of the parts is P S Q R.

Revision Table: Sentence Structure Basics

Element Role in Sentence Example
Subject Who or what the sentence is about Humans and machines
Verb Action or state of being have co-existed
Adverbial Phrase Modifies verb, tells how, when, where, why at the physical level for millennia
Prepositional Phrase Begins with preposition, modifies noun or verb dating back to the invention of the potter's wheel

Additional Information on Jumbled Sentence Problems

Solving jumbled sentence or para jumble questions effectively requires practice and attention to detail. Here are some tips:

  • Look for the opening sentence: This often introduces the main topic or idea. It might be a general statement or a definition.
  • Identify connecting words: Look for transition words (like however, therefore, moreover) or pronouns (he, she, it, they) that link sentences together.
  • Find logical pairs: Some parts naturally fit together (e.g., cause and effect, question and answer, general statement and specific example).
  • Check for chronological order: If the sentence describes a process or historical events, look for time markers or a sequence of actions.
  • Read the complete sentence: After arranging the parts, read the full sentence aloud to check if it flows smoothly and makes sense.

Understanding sentence structure and how different phrases modify or connect to others is key to mastering sentence rearrangement.

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Similar Questions

  1. Direction: Each of the following items in this section consists of a sentence, the parts of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four sequences namely (a), (b), (c) and (d). You are required to rearrange the jumbled parts of the sentence and mark your response accordingly.

    with the aplomb of a stage artist, ( P) / that they are not men of straw (Q) / they can twist and shake their wobbly heads (R) / mesmerizing the gullible into believing ( S)

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    closely monitor the situation (P) by the disturbing allegations (Q) we are deeply concerned (R) and will continue to (S)

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Important Questions from Sentence Jumbles

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    R: It is four times as big as Great Britain in size.

    S: Only a twenty-fifth of the total area is cultivable.

    The correct sequence should be
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    S: If a man aims at a mark with a bow and arrow, he must either hit it or aim it.

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