Para-Jumble
In competitive exams, parajumbles are a common type of question in the English section, particularly in banking exams. These questions test your ability to understand the logical sequence of sentences in a paragraph. Here are some tips to tackle parajumbles effectively:
- Identify the Theme: Look for the central idea or theme of the paragraph. Understanding the overall topic can help you determine how sentences should flow.
- Find the Opening Sentence: Often, the first sentence introduces the main idea or subject. It usually sets the context for the rest of the paragraph.
- Look for Logical Connectors: Words like “however,” “therefore,” “because,” and “in addition” can indicate relationships between sentences and help you place them in the correct order.
- Check for Pronouns and References: Ensure that pronouns and references match up correctly. For example, if a sentence refers to “he,” make sure it follows a sentence where “he” is clearly identified.
- Eliminate Irrelevant Options: Sometimes, sentences are clearly out of place. Eliminate options that don’t fit logically with the rest of the paragraph.
- Practice Regularly: Regular practice with parajumbles can improve your ability to
Here are some additional strategies and details for solving parajumbles in competitive exams:
Detailed Strategies
- Determine the Structure: Understand that paragraphs typically have a structure:
- Introduction: Sets up the main idea or context.
- Body: Provides details, arguments, or explanations.
- Conclusion: Summarizes or provides a closing statement.
Identifying these parts can help you arrange the sentences in the correct order.
- Use Transition Words: Transition words like “firstly,” “next,” “on the other hand,” and “finally” can provide clues about the order of sentences.
- Look for Sentence Pairs: Some sentences naturally pair with each other. For example, a sentence that introduces a problem may be followed by a sentence that describes a solution or response.
- Check for Consistency: Ensure that the flow of ideas remains consistent throughout the paragraph. Any sentence that seems out of context or disrupts the flow might be misplaced.
- Reverse Engineering: Start by analyzing the possible conclusions or the final sentence, and then work backward to identify which sentences logically precede it.
- Check for Common Themes: Sometimes, sentences share common themes or keywords that can help you group them together.
Practice Techniques
- Read Widely: Read various types of paragraphs or essays to get a feel for different writing styles and structures.
- Solve Previous Papers: Practice with parajumbles from previous competitive exams to familiarize yourself with the types of questions you may encounter.
- Use Online Resources: There are numerous online platforms and apps that offer practice exercises and mock tests for parajumbles.
- Analyze Mistakes: When practicing, carefully analyze any mistakes you make to understand why a particular order is correct or incorrect.
- Time Yourself: Practice solving parajumbles under timed conditions to improve your speed and accuracy.
Here are some examples of parajumbles along with their solutions:
Example 1
Sentences: A. The impact of climate change is becoming increasingly severe. B. Many coastal cities are facing the threat of rising sea levels. C. This is causing widespread damage to infrastructure and ecosystems. D. As a result, there is a growing urgency to address climate change.
Correct Order: A → B → C → D
Explanation:
- A introduces the topic of climate change.
- B provides a specific example of how climate change is affecting coastal cities.
- C describes the consequences of rising sea levels.
- D concludes with the urgency to address the issue.
Example 2
Sentences: A. He was determined to succeed despite the challenges. B. His journey was filled with obstacles and setbacks. C. Through hard work and perseverance, he achieved his goal. D. His story is an inspiration to many who face similar struggles.
Correct Order: B → A → C → D
Explanation:
- B sets up the context of facing obstacles and setbacks.
- A explains his determination to overcome these challenges.
- C describes the achievement of his goal through hard work.
- D wraps up by highlighting how his story inspires others.
Example 3
Sentences: A. The team conducted extensive research on the new technology. B. This led to significant advancements in their field. C. They implemented the technology in their projects. D. As a result, they were able to achieve remarkable results.
Correct Order: A → C → B → D
Explanation:
- A describes the initial research conducted by the team.
- C follows with the implementation of the technology.
- B shows the advancements achieved due to this implementation.
- D concludes with the remarkable results as a result of these advancements.