The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph. People used to preserve A-companionship in absentia B- letters for years as these humble pieces C- of paper afforded
BCA
Solving Sentence Reordering Questions for Coherent Paragraphs
Sentence reordering questions test your ability to identify the logical flow of ideas and construct a coherent paragraph from a set of jumbled sentences or phrases. The goal is to arrange the given parts in an order that makes grammatical sense and presents a clear message.
Analyzing the Given Sentences
We are given an introductory phrase:
- People used to preserve
And three labelled parts:
- A: companionship in absentia
- B: letters for years as these humble pieces
- C: of paper afforded
We need to combine the introductory phrase with A, B, and C in the most logical order to form a complete sentence or paragraph.
Step-by-Step Logical Arrangement
Let's consider how the parts might connect after the introductory phrase "People used to preserve".
- Starting Point: "People used to preserve..." What did they preserve? Sentence B mentions "letters for years". This seems like a direct object for the verb "preserve". So, the sequence likely starts with the introductory phrase followed by B.
- So far: People used to preserve letters for years as these humble pieces
- Continuing the thought: Sentence B ends with "these humble pieces". What kind of pieces are they talking about? They are talking about letters, which are pieces of paper. Sentence C starts with "of paper afforded". This fits perfectly after "these humble pieces".
- Combining B and C: letters for years as these humble pieces of paper afforded
- Completing the idea: The phrase now ends with "afforded". What did these pieces of paper afford? Sentence A says "companionship in absentia". This logically follows "afforded".
- Combining C and A: of paper afforded companionship in absentia
Forming the Complete Paragraph (Sentence)
By following the logical connections, we get the order B followed by C followed by A after the introductory phrase.
- Introductory Phrase + B + C + A
Let's read the complete sentence formed:
People used to preserve letters for years as these humble pieces of paper afforded companionship in absentia.
This sentence is grammatically correct and makes perfect sense. It explains why people preserved letters for a long time – because these pieces of paper provided a sense of companionship even when the person was absent.
Determining the Correct Order
Based on our step-by-step analysis, the logical order of the labelled sentences A, B, and C is BCA.
| Order | Sentence Part |
| Introductory Phrase | People used to preserve |
| B | letters for years as these humble pieces |
| C | of paper afforded |
| A | companionship in absentia |
Conclusion
The most logical and coherent order of the labelled sentences A, B, and C to follow the introductory phrase "People used to preserve" is BCA.
Revision Table: Sentence Reordering Skills
| Skill | Description |
| Read Comprehension | Understand the meaning of each sentence part. |
| Identify Subject/Verb/Object | Look for grammatical links between parts. |
| Contextual Clues | Identify transition words, pronouns, and repeated ideas that connect sentences. |
| Logical Flow | Determine the natural progression of thought or events. |
| Verification | Read the complete paragraph in the chosen order to ensure coherence and grammar. |
Additional Information: Tips for Mastering Sentence Reordering
Sentence reordering requires practice and attention to detail. Here are a few tips:
- Look for the starting sentence: Often, a sentence introducing a topic or a general statement comes first.
- Identify connecting phrases: Words or phrases like "therefore," "however," "in addition," "this," "these," "it" often link sentences.
- Follow chronology: If the sentences describe events, look for the sequence in which they occurred.
- Connect ideas: Ensure that the end of one sentence logically leads into the beginning of the next.
- Check pronouns: Make sure pronouns (like 'he', 'she', 'it', 'they', 'this', 'these') refer back to a noun mentioned in a previous sentence.
- Read aloud: Sometimes reading the potential paragraph aloud helps identify awkward phrasing or breaks in flow.
Important Questions from Sentence Jumbles
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 beThe 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: In mechanical efforts, you improve by perpetual practice.
S6: There is neither excuse nor temptation for the latter.
P: He cannot go on shooting wide or falling short, and still fancy that he is making progress.
Q: This is so because the object to be attained is a matter of actual experiment in which you either succeed or fail.
R: He must either correct his aim or persevere in his error with his eyes open.
S: If a man aims at a mark with a bow and arrow, he must either hit it or aim it.
The correct sequence should be
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: Isaac’s mother married again.
S6: He had a set of little tools and saw of various sizes made by himself.
P: But he was known to be very clever at making things.
Q: She sent him to school.
R: Isaac was left to the care of his good old grandmother.
S: In his early years Isaac did not appear to be a very bright student.
The correct sequence should be
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: The examination system must be regarded as the chief wrecker of young nerves.
S6: If I become a Vice-Chancellor, my first act would be to abolish all examinations in my university.
P: It makes me jump out of the bed, all in a sweat.
Q: It does this by building up a tension, for a part of the year, all through one’s youth.
R: And after four decades, the same nervousness sometimes recurs to me in nightmares.
S: I remember the desperate nervousness that used to grip me from January to April every year.
The correct sequence should be
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: History is a subject that is so little valued today that it is almost impossible to win world fame as a historian, yet that is exactly what Toynbee was able to.
S6: Among the civilizations that he studied was that of India.
P: We usually think of history as a chronological account of the development of various states and empires under the ruler.
Q: Toynbee’s view of history was different.
R: He tries to find the pattern behind the birth, growth and decay of civilization.
S: Though he used the recorded history of mankind, he was interested not merely in the chronology of single states or group but in the rise and fall of whole civilizations.
The correct sequence should be
