Ordering of Sentences Practice Questions

5 questions per page • Detailed step-by-step solutions

Directions (Q. )

In each of the following questions, a passage consists of six sentences. The first and sixth sentences are given at the beginning and end (as S₁ and S₆). The middle four sentences have been jumbled up and labelled as P, Q, R, and S. Find the proper sequence for the four sentences.

Question 16

Medium

Cacti have evolved remarkable strategies for surviving in arid environments.
Their thick stems store water, which allows them to endure long droughts.
Many species also open their stomata at night, when cooler temperatures reduce evaporation.
Some cacti have shallow roots that spread widely to capture rainfall quickly after storms.
Spines replace leaves, reducing water loss and protecting the plant from grazing animals.
Together, these adaptations make cacti some of the most efficient plants in deserts.

A SQRP

B PSQR

C RPSQ

D QRPS

Correct Answer: C

Explanation:

R describes the shallow roots that capture rain, P explains water storage in the stems, S describes spines reducing water loss, and Q describes night-time stomata.

Question 17

Easy

Typewriters dominated offices for nearly a century before computers replaced them.
Early models were expensive, so typing skills were initially reserved for trained clerks.
The arrival of word processors in the 1980s finally made the typewriter obsolete.
Their mechanical keys struck inked ribbons, pressing letters onto paper one at a time.
Such skills later became common as manufacturers produced cheaper machines for homes.
Its clatter is now mostly a nostalgic memory.

A PQRS

B RPSQ

C SRQP

D QSPR

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

R describes how typewriters worked, P describes early costs and limited use, S describes later spread, and Q describes the arrival of word processors.

Question 18

Medium

Saffron is the world's most expensive spice by weight.
The stigmas are dried carefully to preserve their colour, aroma, and flavour.
Each flower produces only three stigmas, which must be picked by hand.
Because harvesting is so labour-intensive, a small amount requires thousands of flowers.
This scarcity explains why adulteration remains a persistent problem in the trade.
Quality checks matter as much as the flavour itself.

A RSPQ

B QPRS

C PQSR

D SRQP

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

Q describes the hand-picked stigmas, P describes drying, R explains the labour cost and scarcity, and S describes adulteration as a consequence.

Question 19

Easy

Pottery is one of humanity's oldest crafts, dating back to the early Neolithic period.
Firing hardens the clay in kilns, turning it into a durable material that holds water.
Early potters shaped wet clay by hand, coiling strips of clay to build vessels.
The potter's wheel, which appeared later, allowed faster and more uniform production.
Glazes, applied before firing, add colour and make vessels less porous.
From simple bowls to fine porcelain, pottery reflects both utility and artistry.

A SRPQ

B QRPS

C PSQR

D RPSQ

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

Q describes hand-coiling, R describes the potter's wheel, P describes firing, and S describes glazing.

Question 20

Medium

Sharks have existed for more than 400 million years, long before the dinosaurs.
Sharks also have sensory organs called ampullae of Lorenzini that detect faint electric fields.
Using this sense, a shark can locate a buried fish even in murky water.
Their skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone, which keeps them light.
These fields are produced by the muscles and nerves of prey hiding in the sand.
Their ancient design has proved remarkably successful.

A SPQR

B RPSQ

C QSRP

D PRQS

Correct Answer: B

Explanation:

R describes the light cartilage skeleton, P introduces the electric sense, S explains the fields that prey produce, and Q describes the hunting use of this sense.