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PJ Questions (KnowledgePhilic - Com)
PJ Questions (KnowledgePhilic - Com)
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Sentence Arrangement
In most of the competitive examinations, five or ten questions
relating to Arrangement of Sentences/Sentence Sequencing/
Ordering of Sentences/Jumbled up Sentences do appear. These
sentences are part of a paragraph. The candidates are required to
place these sentences in a proper sequence in order to form a
coherent and meaningful paragraph.
These questions are usually of four types as follows:
(I) In the first type of questions, five sentences are given. Each
sentence is labelled with a letter. The candidates are
required to arrange these sentences in a proper sequence.
When properly sequenced, these sentences form a coherent
and meaningful paragraph. The candidate should choose
the most logical order of sentences from among the given
choices.
Such questions are meant to judge the compositional and
organisational ability of the candidates as well as their
understanding of English.
(II) In the second type of questions, first and the last sentence
of a paragraph are given and the candidate is required to
place the rest four middle sentences in a proper sequence.
The positions of the first sentence (S1 ) and the last
sentence ( S 6 ) are fixed and the rest four sentences, usually
named P, Q, R, S, are to be arranged in a logical and proper
sequence so that a coherent and meaningful paragraph is
formed.
(III) In the third type of questions, five sentences marked A, B,
C, D, E, are given. They are jumbled up. The candidate is
required to rearrange these sentences in a proper order and
then he is to answer the questions given in respect to the
order of the sentences. For example,
(i) Which of the following should be the second
sentence?
(a) B (b) D
(c) C (d) E
(e) A
Sentence Arrangement 1
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PRACTICE EXERCISES
Exercise 1
Directions (Q. 1-2) : The sentences given in each question, when properly
sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a letter.
Choose the most logical order of sentences from among the given choices to
construct a coherent paragraph. (CAT)
Q. 1. (A) But this does not mean that death was the Egyptians only
pre-occupation.
(B) Even papyri come mainly from pyramid temples.
(C) Most of our traditional sources of information about the Old
Kingdom are monuments of the rich like pyramids and tombs.
(D) Houses in which ordinary Egyptians lived have not been
preserved, and when most people died, they were buried in
simple graves.
(E) We know infinitely more about the wealthy people of Egypt
than we do about the ordinary people, as most monuments
were of the rich people.
The proper sequence should be
(a) CDBEA (b) ECDAB
(c) EDCBA (d) DECAB
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Exercise 2
Directions (Q. 1-3) : The sentences given in each question, when properly
sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a letter.
Choose the most logical order of sentences from among the given choices to
construct a coherent paragraph. (CAT)
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Q. 3. (A) In the west, Allied Forces had fought their way through
southern Italy as far as Rome.
(B) In June 1944, Germanys military position in II World War
appeared hopeless.
(C) In Britain, the task of amassing the men and materials for the
liberation of northern Europe had been completed.
(D) The Red Army was poised to drive the Nazis back through
Poland.
(E) The situation on the eastern front was catastrophic.
The proper sequence should be
(a) EDACB (b) BEDAC
(c) BDECA (d) CEDAB
Exercise 3
Directions (Q. 1-5) : In these questions, each passage consists of six
sentences. The first and the sixth sentence are given in the beginning. The
middle four sentences in each have been jumbled up. These are labelled P,Q,R
and S. You are required to find out the proper sequence of the four sentences
from the given alternatives (a), (b), (c) and (d). (CDS Exam)
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Exercise 4
Directions (Q. 1-5) : Rearrange the following four sentences (A), (B), (C) and
(D) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph then mark the
correct sequence as your answer. (Agriculture Officers Exam)
(C) No one cared to see that he had his food or rest that night.
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Exercise 5
Directions (Q.1-5) : In questions 1 to 5, there are six sentences marked as S1
, S6 , P,Q,R,S. The positions of S1 and S6 are fixed as the first and last sentence of
the passage. You are required to choose one of the four alternatives given
below every passage which would be most logical sequence of the sentences in
the passage. (NDA Exam)
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Exercise 6
Directions (Q. 15): Each passage consists of six sentences. The first and the
sixth sentence are given in the beginning. The middle four sentences in each
have been removed and jumbled up. These are labelled P, Q, R and S. You are
required to find out the proper order for the four sentences.
(Engineering Service Exam)
Q. 1. S1 : Our ancestors thought that anything which moved itself was
alive.
S6 : Therefore, some scientists think that life is a very complicated
mechanism.
P : This philosopher Descartes thought that both men and
animals were machines.
Q : But a machine such as a motorcar or a steamship moves itself,
and as soon as machines which moved themselves had been
made, people asked, Is man a machine ?
R : And before the days of machinery that was a good definition.
S : He also thought that the human machine was partly controlled
by the soul action on a certain part of the brain,while animals
had no souls.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PRSQ (b) RPQS
(c) PSQR (d) RQPS
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Exercise 7
Directions (Q.1-5) : In questions 1 to 5, each passage consists of six
sentences. The first and the sixth sentence are given in the beginning. The
middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are
labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper order of the
four sentences. (CDS Exam)
Q. 1. S1 : There are numerous kinds of superstitions in different parts of
the country.
S6 : A dogs howling predicts deaththis is a typical superstition.
P : But people go on respecting it through force of blind custom.
Q : Most of them have a bearing on luckgood or bad.
R : Superstitions usually have their origin in fear and ignorance.
S : Nobody remembers now, how a superstition first started in
remote ages.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QPRS (b) RSPQ
(c) RSQP (d) QSPR
Q. 2. S1 : Society in every country shapes itself out of its own initiative.
S6 : And our Indian women are as capable of doing it as any other
in the world.
P : No one can or ought to do this for them.
Q : Our part of duty lies in imparting true education to all men and
women in the society.
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Exercise 8
Directions (Q. 1-8) : In each of the questions given below, four sentences are
given which are denoted by (A), (B), (C), (D). By using all the four sentences, you
have to frame a meaningful paragraph. The correct order of the sentences is
your answer. Choose from the five alternatives, the one having the correct order
of sentences and mark it as your answer. (SBI Probationary Officers Exam)
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Exercise 9
Directions (Q.1-5) : Rearrange the following five sentences (A), (B), (C), (D)
and (E) in a proper sequence so as to form a meaningful paragraph and then
answer the questions given below. (Bank PO Exam)
(A) A study to this effect suggests that the average white-collar worker
demonstrates only about twenty-five percent listening efficiency.
(B) However, for trained and good listeners, it is not unusual to use all
the three approaches during a setting, thus improving listening
efficiency.
(C) There are three approaches to listening; listening for
comprehension, listening for empathy, and listening for evaluation.
(D) Although we spend nearly half of each communication listening,
we do not listen well.
(E) Each approach has a particular emphasis that may help us to
receive and process information in different settings.
Q. 1. Which sentence should come second in the paragraph ?
(a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) D
(e) E
Q. 2. Which sentence should come fifth in the paragraph ?
(a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) D
(e) E
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Exercise 10
Directions (Q.1-5) : Rearrange the following five sentences (A), (B), (C), (D)
and (E) in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph, then answer
the questions given below. (Bank PO Exam)
(A) The history of mankind is full of such fightings between
communities, nation and people.
(B) From the primitive weapons of warfare, man has advanced to the
modern nuclear weapons.
(C) Ever since the dawn of civilisation, man has been fighting with
man.
(D) A modern war is scientific in character, but the effect is the same,
wiping human existence out of this earth.
(E) The only difference now seems to be in the efficiency of the
instruments used for killing each other.
Q. 1. Which of the following should be the first sentence ?
(a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) D
(e) E
Q. 2. Which of the following should be the second sentence ?
(a) A (b) B
(c) C (d) D
(e) E
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Exercise 11
Directions (Q. 1-7) : In each of the following questions, the first and the last
parts of the passage are numbered as S1 and S6. The rest of the passage is split
into four parts and named P, Q, R, S. These four parts are not given in their
proper order. Read the sentences and find out which of the four combinations is
correct. Then select the correct answer. (SSC Clerks)
Q. 1. S1 : As a matter of fact, said the boy modestly , Im a spaceman.
P : You cant see it from here
Q : From another planet.
R : Im a spaceman, he said again.
S : George and Cathy stared at the boy.
S6 : Cathy gasped, George gave a shout of laughter.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSRQ (b) QPSR
(c) RQPS (d) SRQP
Q. 2. S1 : I suddenly began to climb swiftly, and the next I knew it was
speeding eastward again till it became a speck in the blue
morning.
P : I didnt know what force they could command, but I was
certain that it would be sufficient.
Q : My enemies had located me, and the next thing would be a
cordon round me.
R : This made me do some savage thinking.
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Q. 6. S1 : Gandhijis first political fast was made soon after his return
from Africa.
P : He had also received help from a mans sister.
Q : This was when the poor labourers of the cotton mills of
Ahmedabad were on strike.
R : He was a friend of the largest mill owner.
S : Gandhi had made the strikers promise to remain on strike until
the owners agreed to accept the decision of an arbitrator.
S6 : He did not fast against the mill owners, but in order to
strengthen the determination of the strikers.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRPQ (b) QSRP
(c) RPQS (d) PQSR
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Exercise 12
Directions (Q. 1-7) : In each of the following questions, the first and the last
part of the sentence are numbered as S1 and S6 respectively. The rest of the
sentence is split into four parts and named P, Q, R and S. These four parts are
not given in their proper order. Read the sentence and find out which of the four
combinations is correct. Then find the correct answer and indicate on the
answer-sheet.
Q. 1. S1 : A study
P : success increases
Q : concludes that
R : and chances for
S : commitment to future tasks
S6 : future success.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RQPS (b) SRQP
(c) QPSR (d) PSRQ
Q. 2. S1 : Putting it another way
P : what we see as our
Q : our goals throughout our lives
R : we are constantly resetting
S : in response to
S6 : wins and losses.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RQSP (b) QPRS
(c) PRSQ (d) RSQP
Q. 3. S1 : Studies of Nobel laureates show that
P : or encounter professional
Q : and have strained relationship with friends and colleagues.
R : they often publish less frequently
S : after winning the prize
S6 : envy and rivalry.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SRQP (b) RQPS
(c) QPSR (d) PSRQ
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Q. 4. S1 : There is
P : no such thing
Q : from one nation
R : as the gift
S : of independence
S6 : to another.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SPQR (b) PRSQ
(c) QPRS (d) RSPQ
Q. 5. S1 : People who
P : are terrible
Q : no way of taking
R : there is
S : have no weaknesses
S6 : advantage of them.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PSQR (b) RSPQ
(c) SPRQ (d) QSRP
Q. 6. S1 : There are
P : any other kind of
Q : more ants
R : land animal
S : than
S6 : in the world.
The proper sequence should be
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Exercise 13
Directions (Q. 1-6) : Put the given sentences in each of the following
questions in proper order.
Q. 1. (A) His mother was dead.
(B) They had not sent him the sad information.
(C) Probably they knew his deep love for her.
(D) When Gandhi returned to India his son Hiralal was four.
The proper sequence should be
(a) DCAB (b) DABC
(c) DBAC (d) DCAB
Q. 2. (A) It results from a carefully revised plan.
(B) Men work together for a cause or purpose.
(C) Team work does not just happen.
(D) It must be clearly known to them.
The proper sequence should be
(a) BCAD (b) CBDA
(c) BCDA (d) CABD
Q. 3. (A) I will give you a copy of it.
(B) The book was published in New York.
(C) It is a very interesting book.
(D) It deals with mankinds political future.
The proper sequence should be
(a) DCBA (b) CBDA
(c) BDCA (d) DBCA
Q. 4. (A) He had inherited that money from an uncle.
(B) Mr. Maini was an innocent man.
(C) It was regarding investing ten thousand rupees in my firm.
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Exercise 14
Directions (Q. 1-5) : Rearrange each of the following five sentences A, B, C,
D and E in a proper sequence so as to form a meaningful paragraph. Then
answer the questions given below.
Q. 1. (A) She said that she was a school teacher and a social worker.
(B) Then for sometime, we discussed her plans for schooling of the
children, living in slums.
(C) Our conversation now took another direction.
(D) She also said that social work was her hobby only and not the
job.
(E) I asked Meena about her occupation.
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Exercise 15
Directions : In the following questions, each passage consists of six sentences.
The first and the sixth sentence are given in the beginning. The middle four
sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are labelled as P,
Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper sequence of the four
sentences and mark accordingly on the answer-sheet.
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P : The demand was stagnant for many years, and it was only with
the introduction of portable radios and tape recorders that the
manufacture of dry-cell batteries became a profitable industry.
Q : Its main use was to supply power to torch-lights.
R : Today, dry cells of different sizes are used in transistors, radios,
calculators, portable tape recorders, quartz clocks and torches.
S : The international sport events like Wimbledon and the World
Cup Series have increased the demand for dry-cell batteries
The proper sequence should be
(a) SPRQ (b) QRPS
(c) RPSQ (d) QPRS
Q. 2. S1 : Of course, it is nature that determines a diamonds clarity and
colour.
S6 : Poorly cut diamonds on the other hand, look less brilliant and
beautiful.
P : It results in a diffused display of brilliance.
Q : However, the hand of a master craftsman is needed for
releasing its sparkle and beauty.
R : When it is cut to good proportions, light reflects from one
mirror-like facet to another and disperses through the top of
the diamond.
S : A well-cut diamond invariably scintillates with light.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSPR (b) SQPR
(c) SQRP (d) QSRP
Q. 3. S1 : One of the gifts of independence is the awakening of women of
our country.
S6 : We even had a woman Prime Minister.
P : Besides, their talent is recognised and they are appointed to
high posts in the state.
Q : Free India has seen women as governors, ministers and
ambassadors.
R : That is because our government is making efforts to raise their
status.
S : Women have bright future in independent India.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SPQR (b) QPSR
(c) SRPQ (d) QSPR
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Exercise 16
Directions (Q. 15) : In the following questions, each passage consists of six
sentences. The first and the sixth sentence are given in the beginning. The
middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are
labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper sequence of
the four sentences and mark accordingly on the answer sheet.
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P : Though it may seem safe but the reaction of the drug may be
different because of the patients condition.
Q : Thereafter, they lose their medicinal value and can even be
harmful.
R : Taking pills left over from a prescription is an everyday misuse
of medication.
S : Also carelessly stored drugs may become outdated.
The proper sequence should be
(a) PRQS (b) RPSQ
(c) RPQS (d) PRSQ
Q. 5. S1 : I have just heard from your brother that you have been ill and
hospitalized for the last two weeks.
S6 : As soon as you can write, let me know how you are.
P : But I am glad to know that the worst is now over.
Q : If I had known then I would have written before.
R : I am very sorry to know that.
S : I hope you will soon be all right and coming out again.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QRSP (b) QRPS
(c) RQSP (d) RQPS
Exercise 17
Directions (Q. 15) : In this section, each passage consists of six sentences.
The first and the sixth sentence are given in the beginning. The middle four
sentences in each passage have been removed and jumbled up. These are
labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper sequence of
the four sentences and mark accordingly on the answer sheet. (NDA)
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Exercise 18
Directions (Q. 15) : In the following questions, each passage consists of six
sentences. The first and the sixth sentence are given in the beginning. The
middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are
labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper sequence of
the four sentences and mark accordingly on the answer sheet.
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R : At first, I wasnt aware that the bus roof was loaded with drugs.
S : Everyone was filled with dust and often the wheels would sink
into the soft soil.
The proper sequence should be
(a) SPQR (b) QRSP
(c) RQSP (d) RSPQ
Q. 2. S1 : For the average Indian tourist, the mention of Indonesia
conjures visions of Bali and little else.
S6 : It is a pity since otherwise this largest archipelago in the world
has much to offer to the international visitor.
P : With cash flow problems, the airline has had to cut down its
overseas operations.
Q : Tourism has not been much of a priority in this predominately
Muslim country of 210 million people.
R : The air connectivity through the national airline is also
minimizing.
S : This aspect is evident in the low budget, allocated each year to
this sector.
The proper sequence should be
(a) QSRP (b) RPSQ
(c) QRSP (d) SQPR
Q. 3. S1 : Man cannot survive except through his mind. He comes on
earth unarmed.
S6 : To plant, he needs a process of thoughts; to hunt, he needs
weapons and to make weapons, the process of thoughts.
P : Man has no claws, no fangs, no horns and no great strength of
muscle.
Q : Animals obtain food by force.
R : He must plant his food or hunt it.
S : His brain is his only weapon.
The proper sequence should be
(a) RSQP (b) PQSR
(c) QPRS (d) PSQR
Q. 4. S1 : Bill Clinton is the President.
S6 : Looking at him, a lot of people feel surprised.
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Exercise 19
Directions (Q. 15) : In the following questions, each passage consists of six
sentences. The first and the sixth sentence are given in the beginning. The
middle four sentences in each have been removed and jumbled up. These are
labelled as P, Q, R and S. You are required to find out the proper sequence of
the four sentences and mark accordingly.
Q. 1. S1 : As the icebergs drift away from the poles towards warmer
water, they often invade the path of ships and sometimes, tiles
of fog cause fearful collisions.
S6 : More than fifteen hundred lives were lost.
P : Striking an iceberg without warning in the fog, she sank quickly.
Q : The Titanic was the largest ship in the world at that time.
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ANSWERS
Exercise 1
1. (c) 2. (a)
Exercise 2
1. (d) 2. (a) 3. (b)
Exercise 3
1. (a) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (d)
Exercise 4
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (e) 5. (d)
Exercise 5
1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (c)
Exercise 6
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (a) 5. (a)
Exercise 7
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (d) 5. (a)
Exercise 8
1. (e) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (c)
6. (a) 7. (b) 8. (d)
Exercise 9
1. (e) 2. (a) 3. (d) 4. (c) 5. (b)
Exercise 10
1. (c) 2. (a) 3. (b) 4. (d) 5. (e)
Exercise 11
1. (c) 2. (d) 3. (d) 4. (b) 5. (a)
6. (b) 7. (a)
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Exercise 12
1. (c) 2. (a) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (c)
6. (d) 7. (d)
Exercise 13
1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (c) 4. (a) 5. (d)
6. (b)
Exercise 14
1. (ie) (iid) (iiid) (ivc) (vd)
2. (ib) (iic) (iiia) (ive) (vd)
3. (ia) (iid) (iiib) (ivb) (vd)
4. (id) (iic) (iiie) (ivb)
5. (ib) (iic) (iiic) (ivb) (vd)
Exercise 15
1. (d) 2. (c) 3. (c) 4. (b)
5. (b)
Exercise 16
1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (d) 4. (b)
5. (d)
Exercise 17
1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (c) 4. (b)
5. (a)
Exercise 18
1. (c) 2. (a) 3. (a) 4. (b)
5. (a)
Exercise 19
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (b) 4. (b)
5. (d)
m
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