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Question

Sentences of a paragraph are given below in jumbled order. Arrange the sentences in the correct order to form a meaningful and coherent paragraph.

A. If things get out of control, competition might become totally toxic.
B. Competition is the act of participating in a contest and the strive to finish first.
C. Competition enables those who effectively deal well enough to grow and realise their skills and talents.
D. The essence of competition is placing oneself against one’s contemporaries and frequently against oneself.

This question was previously asked in
SSC CGL 2022 Tier-II (Paper 2 JSO) Previous Year Paper (04-Mar-2023)
The correct answer is

BDCA

Understanding Jumbled Sentences and Paragraph Rearrangement

This question asks us to arrange four jumbled sentences (A, B, C, and D) into a meaningful and coherent paragraph. To do this, we need to read each sentence carefully, understand its meaning, and identify logical connections between them. We look for sentences that might introduce the topic, provide details, discuss causes or effects, or offer a concluding thought.

Analyzing the Sentences on Competition

Let's break down each sentence:

  • Sentence A: "If things get out of control, competition might become totally toxic." - This sentence introduces a potential negative outcome or consequence of competition, suggesting it's a conditional statement (starts with "If").
  • Sentence B: "Competition is the act of participating in a contest and the strive to finish first." - This sentence provides a basic definition of competition. Definitions often serve as a good starting point for a paragraph.
  • Sentence C: "Competition enables those who effectively deal well enough to grow and realise their skills and talents." - This sentence describes a positive outcome or benefit of competition for those who manage it effectively.
  • Sentence D: "The essence of competition is placing oneself against one’s contemporaries and frequently against oneself." - This sentence explains the core nature or fundamental idea behind competition, going beyond the simple definition.

Finding the Logical Sequence

Based on our analysis, let's try to build a logical flow:

  1. A good paragraph often starts with an introduction or definition of the topic. Sentence B defines competition, making it a strong candidate for the first sentence.
  2. Sentence D talks about the "essence" of competition, which naturally follows a definition (Sentence B). It elaborates on what competition fundamentally involves. So, BD seems like a likely pair, with B preceding D.
  3. After defining and explaining the essence of competition, we might discuss its effects or outcomes. Sentence C talks about the positive impact – enabling growth and skill realization. This fits well after understanding what competition is. So, C could follow BD.
  4. Sentence A introduces a negative potential consequence ("toxic") if competition is not managed well. This often serves as a concluding point or a cautionary note after discussing the nature and potential benefits. So, A could follow C.

This sequence suggests the order BDCA.

Testing the Order BDCA

Let's read the sentences in the order BDCA:

"Competition is the act of participating in a contest and the strive to finish first. The essence of competition is placing oneself against one’s contemporaries and frequently against oneself. Competition enables those who effectively deal well enough to grow and realise their skills and talents. If things get out of control, competition might become totally toxic."

This arrangement flows logically. It starts with a definition, explains the core concept, discusses a positive effect, and ends with a potential negative outcome if not handled properly.

Conclusion on Paragraph Arrangement

The sequence BDCA forms a coherent and meaningful paragraph about competition, starting with its definition and progressing through its essence, benefits, and potential downsides.

Sentence Role in the Paragraph
B Definition of Competition
D Essence of Competition
C Positive Outcome
A Negative Potential / Warning

Revision Table: Jumbled Sentence Rearrangement

Review the process for rearranging jumbled sentences:

  • Read all sentences to understand the main topic.
  • Look for introductory sentences (definitions, general statements).
  • Identify connecting words or phrases (e.g., "however," "therefore," pronouns, conditional clauses like "If").
  • Find sentences that elaborate on the introduction or provide supporting details.
  • Look for concluding sentences (summaries, final thoughts, consequences).
  • Test potential sequences to see which one creates the most logical flow.

Additional Information: Coherence and Cohesion

Arranging jumbled sentences is about creating a coherent and cohesive paragraph.

  • Coherence: This refers to the logical connection of ideas in a paragraph. The ideas should flow smoothly and make sense together, like pieces of a puzzle fitting together. In our example, moving from definition to essence to effects creates coherence.
  • Cohesion: This refers to the way sentences are linked together using linguistic devices such as transition words (e.g., "furthermore," "in contrast"), repetition of keywords, or pronouns. While the sentences here don't have strong explicit cohesive devices, the logical progression of ideas (coherence) is key to arranging them correctly.

Mastering paragraph rearrangement improves reading comprehension and writing skills by helping you understand how ideas are structured in a text.

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