Paragraph Jumbled or Sentence Rearrangement is one of the very favorite topics in English for various competitive exams. Here, we are bringing you the tricks on PJ so you can master in the particular subject.
What is Para Jumble?
Para jumbles are jumbled paragraphs. Basically, you are given a paragraph - but the sentences are not in the right order. It's up to you to untie this knot and rearrange the sentences so that they logically make sense.
The approaches for Jumbled Paragraph
1. Link Establishment
Establish Link between Two Sentences and Then Examine the Options. Suppose you establish the link 'BA'. The given options are:
(a) DABC (b) ACDB (c) CBAD (d) DBAC. Now you are left with option (c) and (d) to examine.
2. Transition Words
Transition words make the shift from one idea to another very smooth. In other words, they organize and connect the sentences logically.
List of transition words- Â 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, the meantime, later, while, earlier, simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion, with this in mind, after all.
So, whenever you get any of these transition words at the starting of a paragraph, you must understand that there is a paragraph before this paragraph.
3. Personal Pronouns
Personal pronouns are (he, she, it, him, her, they, you, your etc.)
Remember that personal pronouns always refer to a person, place or thing etc.
Therefore, if a sentence contains a personal pronoun without mentioning the person, place or object it is referring to, the person; place or object must have come in the previous sentence.
4. Demonstrative Pronouns
The demonstrative pronouns are "this," "that," "these," and "those." "This" and "that" are used to refer to singular nouns or noun phrases and "these" and "those" are used to refer to plural nouns and noun phrases.
Whenever a sentence contains a demonstrative pronoun without mentioning the noun or the noun phrase, it means that the previous sentence must be mentioning that noun or noun phrase. Finding that noun or noun phrase helps you to connect two sentences.
5. Acronym Approach
Full form vs. short form:
In PJ we encounter full and short names sometimes acronyms of some term or institution.
Example-World Trade Organization - WTO
Dr. Manmohan Singh - Dr. Singh
Karl Marx &ndash Mr. Marx
President Barak Obama - President Obama or the president
The rule is that if both full form, as well as short form, is present in different sentences, then the sentence containing full form will come before the sentence containing the short form.
6. Articles Approach
Articles can be divided into two categories -
1. Definite (the) and
2. Indefinite (a and an).
When the author uses a / an - he wants to make a general statement - wants to introduce the noun followed by a/an for the first time but when he uses 'the' he wants to refer back to some previously discussed noun. It means having 'the' is very unlikely in the opening sentence.
If 'a/an' and 'the' both are used for the same noun, then the sentence containing 'the' will come after the sentence containing a/an.
7. Signal/Indicating Word List
Writers use transitions to link their ideas logically. These transitions or signal words are clues that can help you figure out what the sentence actually means and its sequence.
(a) Cause and Effect Signals
Look for words or phrases explicitly indicating that one thing causes another or logically determines another.
Accordingly, in order to, because, so...that, consequently, therefore, given, thus, hence, when...then, if...then. So if one sentence is cause of something then look for effect sentence for this cause. Cause sentence will follow effect sentence.
(b) Support Signal Words
Look for the words or phrases supporting a given sentence. These words containing sentences will not be the opening sentence. These sentences will follow immediately the sentence supported.
Furthermore, Additionally, Also, And, Too, as well, besides, indeed, likewise, moreover.
(c) Contrast Signals
Look for function words or phrases (conjunctions, sentence adverbs, etc.) that explicitly indicate a contrast between one idea and another.
Albeit, Nevertheless, Although, Nonetheless, But, Notwithstanding, Despite, on the contrary, even though, on the other hand, however, rather than, In contrast, Still, In spite of, While, Instead of, yet.
Hope, this will help you all.
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