LESSON PLAN

Read the following sentence:

The Minister said that /supply of water for irrigation /dams should receive water / up to a particular
level / to ensure uninterrupted

Does it make sense? I guess NO. So, what to do

We need to rearrange the parts of the sentence to make a logical one.

INTRODUCTION:

The topic that we are supposed to study today is Para Jumbles. It will not be wrong to say that a
student who has good reading skills can master the questions based on this topic. This topic holds
much value in both Bank PO and SSC. A number of questions are asked from this topic in both these
exams.

DEFINITION:

 As the name suggests, it is jumbled sentences. We all know that when we combine sentences it
becomes a paragraph. The sentences should be in parity to make a coherent passage. This parity is
called Para Jumbles. Para jumbles require us to arrange the sentences in a logical sequence so that the
paragraph makes sense

Types:

Para-jumbles broadly fall in three categories. In each category, the jumbled sentences are coded with
an alphabet (usually A, B, C, D, and E).

a.       Four Sentence Type

b.      Five Sentence Type
c.     Opening and Closing Sentence is given (You need to rearrange the remaining sentences
between the opening and the closing sentence)

DISCUSSION WITH EXAMPLES

Strategies for Solving Para Jumbles

a.       Identifying the Opening Sentence

b.      Identifying the Closing Sentence
c.       Identifying Mandatory Pairs
d.      Identifying Transition Words
e.       Identifying Pronoun Antecedents

EXAMPLES of Each Strategy

Strategy 1: Identifying the Opening Sentence

The first thing that you need to do is to identify the opening sentence of the paragraph. If you can do
that, then you will be able to fix at least one sentence in its position. As an example solve the
following question:
A. In bulk processing, a set of standard prices typically emerge.
B. Competing, therefore, means keeping products flowing, trying to improve quality, getting costs
down.
C. Let us look at the two cultures of competition.
D. Production tends to be repetitive much the same from day to day or even year to year.
l. CDBA                        2. ABDC                                  3. CADB                                  4. DCBA
 
The opening sentence, in this case, is clearly statement C. It introduces the two cultures of
competition and then statement A goes on to explain bulk processing. The rest of the sentences are
actually just an explanation of the same and go into details of bulk processing. Such a format is
generally referred to as the General to Specific flow of information, and this method is generally
maintained in writing. This can also be used as a reliable guide to solving questions, wherein you
identify the general statement first and then move to specific ones.

Strategy 2: Identifying the Closing Sentence

The second strategy to solve a para-jumble question is to identify the sentence with which the
paragraph could possibly close. This is actually a logical extension of the above point only and forms
a continuation of the same.
As an example solve the following question:
A. But the last decade has witnessed greater voting and political participation by various privileged
sections.
B. If one goes by the earlier record of mid-term elections, it is likely that the turnout in 2019 will drop
by anything between four and six percentage points over the already low polling of 58 percent in
2014.
C. If this trend offsets the mid-term poll fatigue; the fall may not be so steep.
D. Notwithstanding a good deal of speculation on this issue, it is still not clear as to who benefits from
a lower turnout.
 
1. BACD      2. ABCD     3. DBAC                                  4. CBDA
Two simple things that you need to do here are to identify the opening and closing sentence. The most
general and introductory statement is B. Statement D provides a perfect closure for the paragraph, it
leaves a question mark so as to what is going to happen in the case of a low turnout. All that you
needed to do was identify the purpose of these two statements and you would have arrived at the
answer that is option 1.
 
Strategy 3: Identifying Mandatory Pairs
One of the most important methods to solve a para-jumble is by the way of identifying mandatory
pairs. These are basically groupings that will occur in a defined order. Once you identify such pairs,
all you need to do is co-relate them with the answer options, voila, your question is solved. As an
example, solve the following question:
A. By reasoning we mean the mental process of drawing an inference from two or more statements or
going from the inferences to the statements, which yield that inference.
B. So logical reasoning covers those types of questions, which imply drawing as inferences from the
problems.
C. Logic means if we take its original meaning, the science of valid reasoning.
D. Clearly, for understating arguments and drawing the inferences correctly, it is necessary that we
should understand the statements first
 
l. ACBD                        2. CABD                                  3. ABCD                                  4. DBCA
One of the first thing that you need to do is to identify the pair CA. Statement C defines reasoning for
us, and statement A takes it forward by defining reasoning. This forms a perfect mandatory pair, one
which cannot be separated. As far as identifying the correct answer, we can see that statement C is
also the most general statement of all and forms the perfect opening sentence. Combining our two
strategies, we can arrive at the answer easily. Just to recheck, read the complete set of sentences of
option 2, and see how they make perfect sense. Hence, we arrive at our answer: option 2.
 
Strategy 4: Identifying Transition Words
Transition words imply a shift from one idea to another in a paragraph. They function like logical
connectors in sentences. Observing the transition words found in a sentence will often lead you to the
correct mandatory pair for the question. In fact, from our perspective, that is the role of transition
words, to help us in identifying mandatory pairs.
A list of commonly used transition words is:
also, again, as well as, besides, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, similarly, consequently,
hence, otherwise, subsequently, therefore, thus, as a rule, generally, for instance, for example, for one
thing, above all, aside from, barring, besides, in other words, in short, instead, likewise, on one hand,
on the other hand, rather, similarly, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, first of all, to begin with, at
the same time, for now, for the time being, in time, later on, meanwhile, next, then, soon, in the
meantime, later, while, earlier, simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion, with this in mind, after all,
all in all, to sum up.
As an example, solve the following question:
A. But in the industrial era destroying the enemy’s productive capacity means bombing the factories
which are located in the cities.
B. So in the agrarian era, if you need to destroy the enemy’s productive capacity, what you want to do
is bum his fields, or if you’re really vicious, salt them.
C. Now in the information era, destroying the enemy’s productive capacity means destroying the
information infrastructure.
D. How do you battle with your enemy?
E. The idea is to destroy the enemy’s productive capacity, and depending upon the economic
foundation, that productive capacity is different in each case.
F. With regard to defence, the purpose of the military is to defend the nation and be prepared to battle
with its enemy.
 
l. FDEBAC                                2. FCABED                  3. DEBACF                              4. DFEBAC
All you need to do is look at the transition word but in the first sentence. Obviously, it signifies that
something contrary to this was expressed in the previous sentence. A further look at the following two
sentences ensures that you realize a time sequence is being referred to here. Now, statement C uses
the transition word ‘now,’ which obviously implies the current time period and hence should be the
last statement in the order of statements. Hence, we arrive at the sequence BAC, which in effect is a
time sequence also, from past to the present moment.
A further, look at the question will also enable you to identify the pair FDE. Hence, the correct answer
is option 1.
 
Strategy 5: Identifying Pronoun Antecedents
Following are some of the personal pronouns that are used: ‘he, she, it, him, her, they, you, your, etc.’
Just keep in mind that personal pronouns always refer to a person, place or thing, etc. Therefore the
use of the personal pronoun in a sentence can imply that the person or thing being referred to was
mentioned in a previous statement. You would have realized by now what this would do for us.
Obviously, this can provide us with our all-important mandatory pair. As an example, solve the
following question:
A. Although there are large regional variations, it is not infrequent to find a large number of people
sitting here and there and doing nothing.
B. Once in office, they receive friends and relatives who feel free to call any time without a prior
appointment.
C. While working, one is struck by the slow and clumsy actions and reactions, indifferent attitudes,
procedure rather than outcome orientation, and the lack of consideration for others.
D. Even those who are employed often come late to the office and leave early unless they are forced
to be punctual.
E. Work is not intrinsically valued in India.
F. Quite often people visit ailing friends and relatives or go out of their way to help them in their
personal matters even during office hours.
 
1. ECADBF                              2. EADCFB                  3. EADBFC                              4. ABFCBE
This is a tough question, wherein you will really have to look closely to establish the links. One link
that you can establish on the basis of pronoun identification is DB. The people being referred to in
statement D, the one who comes late, are referred to as ‘they’ in statement B. And the same people
are further referred to in statement F, with them going out of their way to help their friends and
relatives. See how the continuity of thought is affected in these sentences. Now, the thing that
needs to be established is the start. Statement E

SUCCESS MANTRA…………..!

To discuss a strategy that will ensure a better success rate in questions from this topic.

QUIZ AND EXERCISE

CLOSURE OF THE CLASS