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Question

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

A. Dozens of distinctly different regional languages are spoken in India, which share many characteristics such as grammatical structure and vocabulary.

B. India has had a longer exposure to English than any other country which uses it as a second language, its distinctive words, idioms, grammar and rhetoric spreading gradually to affect all places, habits and culture.

C. The historical background of India is never far away from everyday usage of English.

D. Since the early 1600s, the English language has had a toehold on the Indian subcontinent, when the East India Company established settlements in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai, formerly Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay, respectively.

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

DBCA

Understanding Jumbled Sentences: English Language in India

This question asks us to arrange four jumbled sentences into a coherent paragraph about the English language in India. To solve this, we need to read each sentence carefully and identify the logical flow of ideas, looking for a starting point and connections between subsequent sentences.

Analyzing the Sentences on English in India

  • Sentence A: Dozens of distinctly different regional languages are spoken in India, which share many characteristics such as grammatical structure and vocabulary. (Introduces India's native linguistic diversity).
  • Sentence B: India has had a longer exposure to English than any other country which uses it as a second language, its distinctive words, idioms, grammar and rhetoric spreading gradually to affect all places, habits and culture. (Discusses the long-term impact and spread of English).
  • Sentence C: The historical background of India is never far away from everyday usage of English. (Connects India's history to the current use of English).
  • Sentence D: Since the early 1600s, the English language has had a toehold on the Indian subcontinent, when the East India Company established settlements in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai, formerly Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay, respectively. (Provides the historical origin of English presence in India).

Step-by-Step Approach to Arrangement

We look for a sentence that introduces the main topic or sets the historical context. Sentence D provides the earliest historical information about the English language arriving in India. This makes it a strong candidate for the opening sentence.

Let's consider D as the starting point:

  • D: English arrived in India in the early 1600s via the East India Company.

What logically follows from the historical arrival? Sentence B discusses India's "longer exposure to English" and its widespread effect. This duration of exposure directly follows the initial arrival mentioned in D. So, DB seems like a logical sequence.

  • D: English arrived in early 1600s.
  • B: This led to long exposure, affecting culture.

Now, after discussing the long exposure and its effects (B), sentence C talks about how the "historical background" (referring back to the history started in D and continued through B) influences the "everyday usage of English." This provides a connection between the historical presence and current usage. So, DBC is a plausible sequence.

  • D: English arrived in early 1600s.
  • B: Long exposure affected culture.
  • C: Historical background influences current usage.

Finally, sentence A discusses India's regional languages. While not directly following C, it can serve as additional context about the linguistic environment in India, contrasting or complementing the discussion about English. Placing it last provides a broader perspective after focusing specifically on English.

Thus, the order DBCA forms a coherent paragraph:

  1. Since the early 1600s, the English language has had a toehold on the Indian subcontinent, when the East India Company established settlements in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai, formerly Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay, respectively.
  2. India has had a longer exposure to English than any other country which uses it as a second language, its distinctive words, idioms, grammar and rhetoric spreading gradually to affect all places, habits and culture.
  3. The historical background of India is never far away from everyday usage of English.
  4. Dozens of distinctly different regional languages are spoken in India, which share many characteristics such as grammatical structure and vocabulary.

Final Arranged Paragraph

Since the early 1600s, the English language has had a toehold on the Indian subcontinent, when the East India Company established settlements in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai, formerly Madras, Calcutta, and Bombay, respectively. India has had a longer exposure to English than any other country which uses it as a second language, its distinctive words, idioms, grammar and rhetoric spreading gradually to affect all places, habits and culture. The historical background of India is never far away from everyday usage of English. Dozens of distinctly different regional languages are spoken in India, which share many characteristics such as grammatical structure and vocabulary.

Sentence Role in Paragraph
D Introduction: Historical origin of English in India.
B Development: Long-term exposure and cultural impact.
C Connection: Link between history and current usage.
A Context: Broad linguistic environment of India.

Revision Table: Checking the Flow

Reviewing the sequence DBCA confirms a logical progression from the initial historical event to its long-term consequences, the connection to current usage, and finally, broader linguistic context.

Additional Information: English as a Second Language in India

English holds a significant position in India. It is one of the country's official languages, used extensively in government, business, education, and media. While Hindi is the most spoken language, English serves as a link language across different states with diverse regional languages. The form of English spoken in India, often referred to as Indian English, has evolved over centuries of interaction and is influenced by local languages and cultural contexts. Understanding the history of English in India helps appreciate its current role and characteristics.

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