Parajumbles, or sentence rearrangement questions, are a critical component of the English language section in competitive exams. They assess a candidate's ability to logically organize information and understand paragraph structure.
This detailed guide will provide you with effective strategies and examples to solve Parajumbles quickly and accurately.
What are Parajumbles?
Parajumbles involve a set of jumbled sentences that need to be rearranged into a coherent and meaningful paragraph. Typically, you’ll find 4-6 sentences in random order, and your task is to determine the correct sequence.
Importance of Parajumbles in Competitive Exams
Parajumbles test various skills:
- Comprehension: Understanding the context and main idea.
- Logical Sequencing: Identifying relationships between sentences.
- Analytical Thinking: Structuring sentences logically.
Steps to Solve Parajumbles
1. Identify the Opening Sentence
The opening sentence introduces the topic or sets the context. It usually lacks pronouns or connectors referring to previous information.
Characteristics:- Introduces a new topic or concept.
- Does not refer to any preceding information.
- Often includes names, places, or definitions.
Given Sentences:
- A. He decided to join the army.
- B. After finishing his education, John was uncertain about his future.
- C. The rigorous training and discipline molded him into a better person.
- D. He believed it would give his life a new direction.
Identification: Sentence B sets the context with John's uncertainty, making it a strong candidate for the opening sentence.
2. Look for Transition Words and Connectors
Transition words help to link sentences logically. Common connectors include: however, therefore, thus, moreover, nevertheless, on the other hand, etc.
Example:- A. However, the plan was not foolproof.
- B. The company introduced a new strategy.
- C. As a result, sales improved significantly.
Sequence: B (introduces strategy) → C (result of strategy) → A (plan’s flaw).
3. Detect Pronouns and References
Pronouns usually refer to nouns mentioned in previous sentences. Match pronouns with their antecedents.
Example:- A. She was known for her kindness.
- B. Mary often helped those in need.
- C. Her generosity was unparalleled.
Sequence: B (introduces Mary) → A (mentions her kindness) → C (talks about her generosity).
4. Chronological Order
Events or processes are often described in a sequence. Look for time-related words to order events correctly.
Keywords: First, second, next, then, afterwards, finally, etc. Example:- A. He graduated from college.
- B. He started his own business.
- C. He got his first job.
- D. He retired at the age of 60.
Sequence: A → C → B → D (logical chronological order of events).
5. Identify the Conclusion
The concluding sentence summarizes the paragraph, provides a final thought, or describes the outcome.
Characteristics:- Summarizes the discussion.
- Provides a final thought or outcome.
- Typically does not introduce new information.
- A. Thus, the new policy was implemented successfully.
- B. The policy faced some initial resistance.
- C. However, with time, employees adapted to it.
Sequence: B → C → A (resistance, adaptation, successful implementation).
6. Logical Sequence
Identify patterns such as problem-solution, cause-effect, or statement-explanation to determine the order.
Example:- A. The water levels began to rise alarmingly.
- B. Measures were taken to control the flooding.
- C. Heavy rainfall was recorded in the region.
- D. As a result, many areas were submerged.
Sequence: C (rainfall) → A (rising water) → D (areas submerged) → B (control measures).
7. Pairing Technique
Identify pairs of sentences that logically follow one another.
Example:- A. He decided to join the army.
- B. After finishing his education, John was uncertain about his future.
- C. The rigorous training and discipline molded him into a better person.
- D. He believed it would give his life a new direction.
Pairs: B-A (uncertainty → decision) and A-D (decision → belief).
8. Contextual Flow
Ensure the paragraph reads smoothly without abrupt transitions. Check the coherence by reading through your arranged sentences.
Example:- A. The scientist conducted the experiment meticulously.
- B. The results were groundbreaking.
- C. He published his findings in a reputed journal.
- D. The discovery revolutionized the field.
Sequence: A → B → C → D (experiment, results, publication, impact).
9. Elimination Method
Remove sentences that clearly cannot be the starting sentence to narrow down your options for the opening sentence and subsequent sentences.
Example:- A. The new policy was not well-received initially.
- B. It was designed to improve productivity.
- C. However, with time, employees adapted to it.
Elimination: Sentence C likely isn’t the starting sentence as it refers to a process of adaptation.
10. Practice Regularly
The more you practice, the more patterns you will recognize. Regular practice will improve your speed and accuracy.
Practice Strategy:- Solve past papers of competitive exams.
- Use online resources and apps designed for Parajumbles.
- Time yourself to improve speed and efficiency.
Five Shortcut Rules for Solving Parajumbles
To solve Parajumbles faster & effectively, follow these five shortcut rules:
1. Dates: Chronological Order
When sentences mention dates, the sentence with the earlier date usually comes first.
Example:- A. In 1990, the company was founded.
- B. By 2000, it had become a market leader.
Sequence: A (1990) → B (2000)
2. Pronouns: Noun Before Pronoun
Sentences with nouns generally come before sentences with pronouns referring to those nouns.
Example:- A. The president announced new policies.
- B. He emphasized the importance of education.
Sequence: A (introduces president) → B (uses 'He' for president)
3. General and Specific Statements
General statements typically precede specific statements.
Example:- A. The rainforest is home to many species.
- B. The Amazon rainforest alone contains over 400 billion trees.
Sequence: A (general statement) → B (specific example)
4. Conjunctions: Contrasting Ideas
Conjunctions like but, however, or notwithstanding indicate contrasting ideas. Use these to form logical connections.
Example:- A. However, the results were not satisfactory.
- B. The project received ample funding.
Sequence: B (project details) → A (contrast with results)
5. Full Forms and Short Forms
Statements with full forms should come before statements using short forms.
Example:- A. The United Nations (UN) plays a crucial role in peacekeeping.
- B. The UN has several missions worldwide.
Sequence: A (full form) → B (short form)
Detailed Example Walkthrough
Let’s walk through a complete example to apply these steps:D=A, A=B, E=C, B=D, C=E
Given Sentences:
- A. However, with advancements in technology, these challenges can be mitigated.
- B. The manufacturing industry faces numerous challenges in maintaining efficiency.
- C. As a result, production times have decreased significantly.
- D. High operational costs and supply chain disruptions are common issues.
- E. Automation and AI have revolutionized many aspects of the industry.
Steps to Solve:
- Identify the Opening Sentence: Sentence B introduces the topic of challenges in the manufacturing industry.
- Pairing Technique: Sentence D elaborates on the challenges mentioned in Sentence A (high operational costs and supply chain disruptions).
- Logical Connectors: Sentence A starts with "However," indicating a shift or solution to the problems mentioned in B and D.
- Technological Advancements: Sentence E mentions automation and AI, which aligns with the advancements mentioned in Sentence A.
- Outcome: Sentence C concludes with the result of technological advancements (decreased production times).
Sequence: B → D → A → E → C
Explanation:
- B introduces the topic.
- D provides specific examples of challenges.
- A presents a shift with technological advancements.
- E elaborates on the advancements.
- C concludes with the outcome of these advancements.
Additional Tips for Mastery:
- Understand Sentence Roles: Distinguish between sentences that set the context, provide details, introduce shifts, and conclude.
- Practice Diverse Topics: Engage with a variety of topics to build flexibility in handling different subject matter.
- Develop a Mental Framework: Create a mental framework for typical paragraph structures, such as cause-effect, problem-solution, and general-specific.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Connectors: Overlooking transition words can disrupt the logical flow.
- Misinterpreting Pronouns: Incorrectly matching pronouns with antecedents leads to confusion.
- Overlooking Chronology: Failing to recognize chronological order can result in incorrect sequences.
Example of a Common Mistake:
Given Sentences:
- A. The CEO’s speech was inspiring.
- B. Many employees felt motivated.
- C. He highlighted the company's achievements.
- D. This led to a surge in productivity.
Common Mistake Sequence: A → B → C → D (Incorrect)
Correct Sequence: A → C → B → D
- Explanation: A (speech) → C (content of speech) → B (employee reaction) → D (result).
Conclusion
Mastering Parajumbles requires a combination of understanding paragraph structure, identifying logical connectors, and recognizing contextual flow. By applying these detailed steps and practicing regularly, you can improve both your speed and accuracy in solving Parajumbles questions.
Remember to stay calm under time pressure, use the elimination method, and constantly refine your approach through practice. With dedication and strategic practice, you can excel in the Parajumbles section of any competitive exam.