LESSON 1: JUMBLED PARAGRAPHS
Jumbled Paragraphs or Para-jumble questions consist of a list of sentences in a random order. You are expected to arrange the sentences sequentially in the most logical manner. There are a few variants of Para-jumbles questions. The difficulty level of such questions depends on the exams and the format.
Para-jumbles consistently occur in most MBA entrance tests. The key difference in CAT para-jumbles is the lack of options. You will be asked to provide the logical sequence, typing it on to a text box. They have also not had any negative marks. Most candidates go for these questions because there is no negative marking, but it is advisable to be absolutely sure of the answer before typing it. Also, make sure you do not spend too much time on these, as these are more difficult than the questions which do have options.
For other MBA entrance tests, you should keep a close eye on the options as elimination works best and saves time. Note that when you are given options, you have to choose from among 4 or 5 alternatives, but without options, you have 24 or more alternatives. 4 statements can be arranged in 24 (4!) ways. This makes para-jumbles some of the toughest questions in the Verbal Ability section in CAT.
The different types of Para-jumble questions are:
1) Straight-forward questions
These questions will ask you to arrange 4 or 5 jumbled sentences in the correct order. They occurs in CAT (without options) and multiple other exams (with options). The CAT questions are non-negative as there are no options.
2) Odd-one-out
These questions will have 4-5 sentences which are jumbled up, with an additional sentence that is not part of the paragraph (Odd-one-out). The odd sentence will typically be from the same topic or passage, but not in sequence, or logically incorrect, when the sentences are arranged coherently.
You will be asked to identify the sentence which does not fit in the context or message of the paragraph, or provide the correct sequence without it. This has been consistently occurring in CAT.
3) Fixed first and/or last sentence
Here, you will encounter 4 or 5 jumbled sentences within a given beginning and ending sentence. Sometimes, you might be given just a beginning sentence or an ending sentence.
This is the easiest type of all three, as the first and last sentences provide some context. To make this more difficult, the source or type of paragraph will typically be more difficult. This type of question was common in XAT earlier, but we have not had any such question in the last few years.
Let us look at examples for each type of question.
Example 1
Read the following statements and arrange the five statements in a logical sequence.
[XAT 2021]
1. Some countries are, at least, trying to curb emissions.
2. Morocco is building a colossal solar-power plant in the desert.
3. States in the Middle East and North Africa can do little on their own to mitigate climate change.
4. Saudi Arabia is not going to stop exporting oil, but it plans to build a solar plant that will be about 200 times the size of the biggest such facility operating today.
5. Politics often gets in the way of problem solving.
(A) 42153
(B) 53142
(C) 51342
(D) 31524
(E) 35124
Solution
In this question, we need to find the correct sequence of the 5 given sentences. We have answer options to help us. Upon reading the sentences, we understand that this paragraph is about climate change, specifically about Middle Eastern and North African countries' efforts to reduce climate change.
From the options, we can see that the first sentence is either statement 3, 4 or 5. Statement 4 seems to be more of an example, but both statements 3 and 5 could be the first sentence. Statements 35 can be a suitable sequence, as statement 3 has the problem (MENA countries not being able to do much to mitigate climate change), and statement 5 could be a reason for this problem. As none of the other statements highlight problems, we can infer that statement 5 should immediately follow statement 3.
Statement 1 speaks about countries which are trying to curb emissions. Statements 2 and 4 are examples of such countries. Therefore, we can have another sequence 124 or 142.
Option (E) is the only option which has both these sequences. The order (statements 124 following statements 35) is also logical, as statement 1 has the words at least. These words help us infer that some issue has been described before.
Therefore, we can select option (E).
Answer: (E) 35124
Example 2
Read the following statements and arrange the four statements in a logical sequence.
[CAT 2019]
1. We’ll all live under mob rule until then, which doesn’t help anyone.
2. Perhaps we need to learn to condense the feedback we receive online so that 100 replies carry the same weight as just one.
3. As we grow more comfortable with social media conversations being part of the way we interact every day, we are going to have to learn how to deal with legitimate criticism.
4. A new norm will arise where it is considered unacceptable to reply with the same point that dozens of others have already.
Solution
In this question, we have to find the correct sequence for 4 statements, without the benefit of options. We can understand that this paragraph is about social media comments. The author is specifically speaking about many people responding with the same criticism or feedback.
The problem of dealing with criticism social media is outlined in statement 3. We can infer that this should be the first sentence as it explains the context.
Solutions are mentioned in statements 2 and 4. The problem also becomes clearer (same feedback from multiple people). Initially, the sequence of 34 seems logical, as the problem is clarified in statement 4. However, statements 1 and 4 are speaking about the future, whereas statements 2 and 3 are about the current situation. Therefore, we can infer that statement 3 explains the context, statement 2 outlines the solution from the perspective of the receiver of criticism. Statement 3 then speaks about how social media feedback could be politely given (avoiding repetition). Statement 1 then explains the issue till such a time.
Therefore, the correct sequence is 3241.
Answer: 3241
Example 3
Five sentences related to a topic are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a meaningful and coherent short paragraph. Identify the odd one out.
[CAT 2017]
1. The water that made up ancient lakes and perhaps an ocean was lost.
2. Particles from the Sun collided with molecules in the atmosphere, knocking them into space or giving them an electric charge that caused them to be swept away by the solar wind.
3. Most of the planet's remaining water is now frozen or buried, but clues over the past decade suggested that some liquid water, a presumed necessity for life, might survive in underground aquifers.
4. Data from NASA's MAVEN orbiter show that solar storms stripped away most of Mars's once-thick atmosphere.
5. A recent study reveals how Mars lost much of its early water, while another indicates that some liquid water remains.
Solution
This paragraph talks about water in the planet Mars, or rather the lack of it. We can see that statement 5 introduces the topic, telling us about studies which establish that water in Mars was lost. At the same time, statement 5 also tells us that some water is remaining. Now that we have identified the beginning sentence, we must identify the sentences which are essential to establish and explain this information.
We can infer that statements 2 and 4 tell us how the water in Mars was lost or evaporated. Statement 4 tells us the reason (solar storms) and statement 2 explains the impact of these storms. Therefore, these must occur in a sequence and we cannot eliminate either of them. Similarly, we can see that statement 3 establishes that some water is still there, therefore, this sentence must also be part of the paragraph. Hence, we can eliminate the first sentence, as the remaining sentences are definitely required.
Answer: 1. The water that made up ancient lakes and perhaps an ocean was lost.
Example 4
The FIRST and the LAST sentences of the paragraph are numbered 1 & 6. The others, labelled as P, Q, R and S are given below. Which of the following combinations given in the options below is the most logically ordered?
[XAT 2016]
1. The word “symmetry” is used here with a special meaning, and therefore needs to be defined.
P. For instance, if we look at a vase that is left-and-right symmetrical, then turn it 180 degrees around the vertical axis, it looks the same.
Q. When we have a picture symmetrical, one side is somehow the same as the other side.
R. When is a thing symmetrical – how can we define it?
S. Professor Hermann Weyl has given this definition of symmetry: a thing is symmetrical if one can subject it to a certain operation and it appears exactly the same after operation.
6. We shall adopt the definition of symmetry in Weyl’s more general form, and in that form we shall discuss symmetry of physical laws.
(1) 1PQRS6
(2) 1QRSP6
(3) 1RQPS6
(4) 1RQSP6
(5) 1SPQR6
Solution
This is an easier form of para-jumbles as we have the first and last sentence. This provides us with context so that we understand the message in this paragraph. We can also select the sentence following statement 1 and the one before statement 6, based on sequence.
We can see that both the first and last sentences (1 and 6) talk about the definition of symmetry. Statement R elaborates on statement 1. Statement 1 tells us that symmetry needs to be defined, and statement R continues on this theme. Therefore, statement R must follow statement 1. Note that on this basis, we can eliminate all options except for options (3) and (4). We therefore, also infer that statement Q follows statement R, as this is present in both the options. This is logical, as statement Q answers the question asked in statement R. We can see that statement S defines symmetry, and thus, will come immediately after statement Q. Statement P follows statement S by explaining Weyl's definition with an example. Therefore, RQSP is the correct sequence – which is mentioned in option (4).
Answer: (4) 1RQSP6
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