Tips And Tricks To Solve Para-jumble Questions For Cat Exam

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Most of us are enticed to attempt CAT/Mock CAT para jumble/sentence completion questions with the help of best teachers for CAT preparation. In these types of questions, we eventually come down to two perplexing options. And, unfortunately, most of the time, we choose the incorrect option. However, it is difficult to abandon these types of questions because, with additional logic, they can be very scoring and take less time than an RC. So allow me to spread some gyaan that may be able to assist you in these situations.

First, try to determine the purpose of the paragraph:

When the goal is to explain something, the author will begin with a line that presents a broad approach to the concept and progress to a narrower or more specific reference.

When the goal is to raise awareness, the author would present information and detail before bringing the issue or problem into focus.

When the goal is to cause anxiety or concern, the author would focus on the issue or problem in a way that causes concern in the reader, and then present the features of the issue that are the source of the concern or anxiety.

When ...
... the goal is to present solutions, the author would first explain the issue or problem, and then move on to possible solutions or rectification.

When the goal is to surprise, amaze, or amaze, the statement of surprise is presented first, followed by the features of the idea or issue that explain why the surprise....and so on.

With this recognition, identifying the opening sentence (sometimes the closing sentence, sometimes the clear link between two sentences) becomes possible in the case of PJQs.

The student should be able to arrive at the correct paragraph formation using these and a combination of recognition of thought flow, recognition of grammatical connectives used (pronouns, relative pronouns, demonstrative adjectives, conjunctions, prepositions), and simultaneous evaluation of choices for elimination.

The application of such recognition becomes important for paragraph completion questions as well, whether one is attempting to identify intermediate or final sentences. When determining last sentences, choose the line that effectively brings the paragraph's thought-flow and discussion to a close.

Recognizing thought flow and context would also aid them in summarizing and closing passages.

Some words as indicators:
* Introduction – A, An, Nowadays, Beginning.
* Conclusion – Clearly, Thus, Therefore, Eventually, Finally.
* Comparison Indicators – Similarly, Likewise.
* Contrast Indicators – On the one hand, But, Yet, However, Nevertheless, Although.
* Additional Information Indicators – Also, Additionally.
* Sequence Indicators – Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Lastly.
* Cause and Effect – Due to, as, since.

To summarize, a general approach to answering Para-Jumble Questions would be:

Read the sentences and try to understand the paragraph's message with the help of best online teachers for CAT preparation.

Determine the topic and theme. For example, the topic of inflation (general); the theme of the Congress responsible for inflation
Determine the tone (emotional aspect of the paragraph) and style quickly.
As previously discussed, look for crucial clues or linking words, mandatory pairs, an introductory statement, or a conclusion statement.
Use the options to help you answer the question.

Guidelines for solving Para-jumbles:
1. Creating a mandatory pair: A mandatory pair is a group of statements that appear to follow one another. Look at the options whenever you sense a required pair. If only one option has the pair, that could be the solution. However, if more than one option has the same mandatory pair, we must employ the following strategies:

a.) Pronoun - antecedent method: The noun that comes before a pronoun is referred to as the pronoun's antecedent. Let us look at an example.
Sentence 1: Shahrukh Khan is the best actor in India.
Sentence 2: He has consistently demonstrated his versatility over the years.

'Shahrukh Khan' is now the prefix for the pronoun 'He.' You must look for a male ancestor. If there is a 'she,' then the antecedent is female, they are plural antecedents, and so on. The sentence with the pronoun comes after the sentence with the respective 'noun' b.) Words that connect: When two sentences follow one another, there is usually a word that connects them. If you can spot these connections, you should be able to easily arrive at a required pair.

c.) Chronological order: It is often easy to form a mandatory pair based on Chronological dates, words like "first, then, later," and so on. These words are usually found at the beginning of the lines.

d.) Logical relationships such as cause and effect: A mandatory pair can often be identified by the logical flow of ideas/cause and effect relationship. (Use your own examples and creativity to demonstrate this.)

2. Finding a clear opener, topic sentence, introductory sentence, or lead sentence: An obvious opener is one that can serve as a good starting point for the jumble. An obvious opener is one that appears to be a relatively independent statement that introduces something. It would not normally begin with the following words.

a.) Carry forward words: Words such as "and, so, moreover" that continue a line of thought expressed in an earlier statement.
b.) Contrast words: Words such as "but, however, nonetheless" that create a conflict with the previous line of thought.
c.) Conclusive words: Words like finally, thus, eventually, and so on. If a particular statement appears to be a good starting point, then examine the alternatives to eliminate incorrect options.

3. Obvious conclusion: An obvious conclusion occurs when a particular statement appears to be one that must come at the end. It typically occurs when one of the conclusive words appears in the sentence.

4. Logical flow: While 1 and 2 can provide useful clues, many students can decipher the Para-jumble by looking at the logical flow of ideas. 1 and 2 are tools that can be used to supplement logic.

5. Use options: If you are unable to identify the Topic or Introductory sentence for whatever reason (perhaps the text is difficult to understand or the para-jumble is taken from the middle of the passage), consider the alternatives. If you notice a pattern in the choices, you can sequence the statements or see which of the choice sequences makes sense.

The advice given above will be sufficient for the CAT exam. Another approach would be to assess the question's difficulty. Occasionally, the exam setter will include a PJ question from an abstract topic. It would be difficult to guess the opening sentence in this case. Furthermore, there would be no connection between the two sentences. These types of questions are classified as Very difficult. In general, the prudent course of action would be to leave and proceed to the next question. You should only attempt difficult questions if you are confident that you will find the correct answer. Spend as little time as possible on it. Remember that the CAT also assesses your ability to select questions.