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Question

The following question consists of six sentences of a passage. The first and the sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up and labelled P, Q, R and S. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four sentences and mark your response accordingly.

S1: Egypt lies in the north-east corner of Africa.

S6: The whole country depends on the water of the Nile.

P: Most of it is desert or semi-desert.

Q: It has very little rainfall.

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

The correct answer is

R P S Q

Understanding Paragraph Jumbling: Finding the Correct Sequence

Paragraph jumbling questions, also known as sentence rearrangement or passage jumbling, require you to arrange a set of jumbled sentences into a coherent paragraph. You are usually given the first (S1) and the last (S6) sentences, and you need to sequence the four middle sentences (P, Q, R, S) correctly.

Analyzing the Given Sentences on Egypt

Let's look at the sentences provided:

  • S1: Egypt lies in the north-east corner of Africa.
  • S6: The whole country depends on the water of the Nile.
  • P: Most of it is desert or semi-desert.
  • Q: It has very little rainfall.
  • R: It is four times as big as Great Britain in size.
  • S: Only a twenty-fifth of the total area is cultivable.

Strategy for Sequencing P, Q, R, and S

To find the correct sequence, we need to look for logical connections between the sentences. Start by identifying sentences that could logically follow S1 or precede S6. Then, find links between the jumbled sentences (P, Q, R, S) based on pronouns, connecting words, or continuity of ideas.

Step-by-Step Analysis

  1. S1: Introduces Egypt and its location. A sentence giving a general characteristic or a comparison about Egypt would logically follow S1.
  2. Sentence R compares the size of Egypt to Great Britain ("It is four times as big..."). 'It' refers to Egypt. This is a good follow-up to S1 which introduces Egypt. So, R likely comes after S1.
  3. Sentence P describes the terrain ("Most of it is desert..."). 'It' refers to Egypt or its area. This describes the nature of the large area mentioned in R. So, P could follow R.
  4. Sentence S gives a specific detail about the cultivable area ("Only a twenty-fifth..."). This contrasts with the vast desert mentioned in P ("Most of it..."). S provides a specific consequence or detail related to the general description in P. So, S could follow P.
  5. Sentence Q talks about rainfall ("It has very little rainfall"). This explains *why* most of the country is desert (P) and only a small part is cultivable (S). Q provides a reason for the conditions described in P and S. So, Q could follow S.
  6. S6: States that the country depends on the Nile's water. This sentence explains how the country survives despite the lack of rainfall mentioned in Q. S6 provides the consequence of the low rainfall and the need for an alternative water source. Thus, S6 logically follows Q.

Forming the Correct Sequence

Following the logical flow identified: S1 introduces Egypt, R gives its size, P describes its dominant terrain, S details the small cultivable area, Q explains the lack of rainfall contributing to this, and S6 concludes by mentioning dependence on the Nile due to this lack of rainfall.

The sequence of the middle sentences is R → P → S → Q.

Let's assemble the full paragraph with the sequence R P S Q:

S1: Egypt lies in the north-east corner of Africa.

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

P: Most of it is desert or semi-desert.

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

Q: It has very little rainfall.

S6: The whole country depends on the water of the Nile.

This sequence forms a cohesive and logical paragraph describing Egypt's geography and its reliance on the Nile.

Revision Table: Key Connections

Sentence Connection Flow
S1 Introduces Egypt
R 'It' refers to Egypt; size comparison Follows S1
P 'Most of it' relates to the large area in R; describes terrain Follows R
S 'Only a twenty-fifth' contrasts with 'Most of it' in P; specific detail Follows P
Q Explains the reason for P and S (lack of rainfall) Follows S
S6 Consequence of Q (dependence on Nile) Follows Q

Additional Information: Tips for Solving Paragraph Jumbles

Mastering paragraph jumbling requires practice and attention to detail. Here are some helpful tips:

  • Read All Sentences: Get a general understanding of the topic and the main points discussed in all sentences.
  • Identify S1 and S6 Clues: Use the fixed sentences to get context and clues about what should come immediately after S1 and immediately before S6.
  • Look for Connectors: Pay attention to transition words (e.g., however, therefore, moreover), pronouns (it, they, this, that), and articles (a, an, the) that link sentences together.
  • Find the Opening Sentence (after S1): The sentence immediately following S1 often introduces a new aspect or provides general information related to S1. Look for a sentence that flows naturally from S1.
  • Find the Closing Sentence (before S6): The sentence before S6 should logically lead into the conclusion provided by S6. It might present a problem that S6 resolves or a condition that S6 addresses.
  • Build Pairs: Try to identify pairs of sentences that logically follow each other (e.g., cause and effect, general statement and specific example, question and answer).
  • Check the Flow: Once you have a potential sequence, read the sentences in that order to see if the paragraph makes sense and reads smoothly.
  • Eliminate Options: Use the connections you identify to eliminate incorrect options provided in the question. If you are sure that R follows S1, look for options starting with R (after S1).
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Important Questions from Sentence Jumbles

  1. Directions : in 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.

    and should shift the way (P) / are certainly very important, (Q) / we think about politics (R) / the issues raised by feminists and multiculturalists (S)

  2. Directions : in 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.

    a much wider array of perspectives (P) / the editors of the present work (Q) / the history of social reforms from (R) / argue the need to understand (S)

  3. Directions : in 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.

    by which the genetic material of a plant is altered, (P) / pests and enhance its nutritional value (Q) / perhaps to make it more resistant to (R) / genetic modification (GM) is the science (S)

  4. Directions : in 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.

    for yourself the implications of death, (P) / if you do not reflect and understand (Q) / from one preacher to another (R) / you will go endlessly (S)

  5. Directions : in 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.

    in agriculture and veterinary sciences through (P) / will be enhanced sharply (Q) / programmes integrated with general education (R) / the preparation of professionals (S)

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