Understanding Sentence Ordering: Glaciation Effects

This question requires arranging four jumbled sentences (P, Q, R, S) between a fixed starting sentence (S1) and ending sentence (S6) to form a coherent and logical paragraph. The topic concerns the effects of glaciation on the landscape.

Analyzing the Sentences

Let's break down the meaning of each sentence:

• S1: Glaciation has important effects on the landscape beyond the direct modifications created by ice erosion and deposition. (This sentence introduces the main topic: glaciation's broader impacts on the land.)
• P: One example is that glaciation frequently disrupts pre-existing drainage lines, initiating a new pattern persisting after the ice has disappeared. (This sentence provides a specific *example* of the effects mentioned in S1, focusing on drainage systems.)
• Q: The Midlands, what is now the Coventry/Warwick area, was formerly drained by the head waters of the River Soar, flowing into the Trent south of Nottingham. (This sentence details the specific *pre-existing drainage line* in the Midlands that will serve as a concrete case for the disruption mentioned in P.)
• R: Two well-documented instances of such effects occur in England. (This sentence states that there are multiple documented examples of glaciation's effects in England, setting a broader context.)
• S: During glaciation, the valleys of Soar and Trent were occupied by ice advancing from the north. (This sentence describes the glacial event that directly affected the specific river valleys identified in Q.)
• S6: At the same time, ice advanced from the Welsh mountains into the Vale of Evesham and combined with northern ice to pond up a large proglacial lake covering much of the Midlands. (This sentence describes a significant, concurrent glacial event in the Midlands, possibly representing a second instance or a related major consequence.)

Step-by-Step Sequence Construction

We need to arrange P, Q, S, and R between S1 and S6 to create a logical flow.

1. Start with S1: It introduces the general idea that glaciation causes landscape changes beyond simple erosion or deposition.

   S1: Glaciation has important effects on the landscape beyond the direct modifications created by ice erosion and deposition.

2. Introduce a specific example: Sentence P offers a clear example of these effects – the disruption of drainage lines. This logically follows S1.

   P: One example is that glaciation frequently disrupts pre-existing drainage lines, initiating a new pattern persisting after the ice has disappeared.

3. Specify the drainage system: Sentence Q identifies the particular drainage system (River Soar/Trent in the Midlands) that serves as the example of pre-existing drainage mentioned in P.

   Q: The Midlands, what is now the Coventry/Warwick area, was formerly drained by the head waters of the River Soar, flowing into the Trent south of Nottingham.

4. Describe the glacial impact: Sentence S explains what happened during glaciation to the specific valleys (Soar and Trent) mentioned in Q. This completes the explanation of how glaciation affected this particular drainage line. Sentences P, Q, and S together form a coherent description of one instance of drainage disruption.

   S: During glaciation, the valleys of Soar and Trent were occupied by ice advancing from the north.

5. Contextualize the instances: Sentence R states that there are "Two well-documented instances" of such effects in England. Coming after PQS, it implies that the PQS sequence illustrates one of these instances.

   R: Two well-documented instances of such effects occur in England.

6. Conclude with a related event: Sentence S6 describes another significant glacial event happening concurrently ("At the same time") in the Midlands – the formation of a proglacial lake due to advancing ice. This could represent the second instance or a closely related major impact.

   S6: At the same time, ice advanced from the Welsh mountains into the Vale of Evesham and combined with northern ice to pond up a large proglacial lake covering much of the Midlands.

Therefore, the logical order for the middle sentences is P, Q, S, R, forming the sequence S1-P-Q-S-R-S6.

Final Coherent Passage

Putting it all together, the complete passage reads:

S1: Glaciation has important effects on the landscape beyond the direct modifications created by ice erosion and deposition. P: One example is that glaciation frequently disrupts pre-existing drainage lines, initiating a new pattern persisting after the ice has disappeared. Q: The Midlands, what is now the Coventry/Warwick area, was formerly drained by the head waters of the River Soar, flowing into the Trent south of Nottingham. S: During glaciation, the valleys of Soar and Trent were occupied by ice advancing from the north. R: Two well-documented instances of such effects occur in England. S6: At the same time, ice advanced from the Welsh mountains into the Vale of Evesham and combined with northern ice to pond up a large proglacial lake covering much of the Midlands.