In the following question, the first and the last parts of the passage are numbered 1 and 6. The remaining parts P, Q, R and S are given in jumbled order. Read the passage carefully and select the correct sequence of P, Q, R and S to form a coherent paragraph: 1. Suddenly the man heard the low hum of an engine. P. Instead, it grew louder and louder and seemed to be coming from above. Q. At first he thought that it must be a car travelling along the road he had recently left. R. He looked up quickly and saw an aeroplane cutting a crazy, zigzag path across the sky. S. He expected the noise to fade away in the distance. 6. It disappeared for an instant behind some clouds, then emerged and plunged into the field.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests the skill of ordering jumbled parts of a passage so that they form a clear and coherent narrative. The passage describes a man hearing the hum of an engine, trying to identify the source of the sound, and finally seeing an aeroplane. To answer correctly, the learner must follow the logical sequence of thoughts and events and notice how each part connects smoothly to the next.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Sentence 1 introduces a man who suddenly hears the low hum of an engine.- P states that instead of fading, the sound grows louder and seems to come from above.- Q suggests that at first he thinks it is a car on a nearby road that he had left.- R shows him looking up and seeing an aeroplane zigzagging across the sky.- S says he expects the noise to fade into the distance.- Sentence 6 describes the aeroplane disappearing behind clouds and then plunging into the field.

Concept / Approach:
The key to solving such para jumble problems is to track the flow of time, cause and effect, and the man's changing expectations. We first identify which of P, Q, R, and S should immediately follow the opening sentence. A natural order moves from his first interpretation of the sound, to his expectation, to the reality of what actually happens. Pronouns, sequence markers such as “instead” and “at first”, and contrast words also guide us.

Step-by-Step Solution:
First, sentence 1 says that the man hears the low hum of an engine. His immediate mental reaction is most logically described in Q: he thinks it must be a car on the road he had recently left. Therefore Q follows 1.Next, S mentions that he expected the noise to fade away in the distance. This continues the same idea from Q, because if he assumes it is a car, he also expects it to pass and become quieter. So S follows Q.Then P begins with the contrast word “Instead”, which clearly opposes the expectation in S. Instead of fading away, the noise grows louder and seems to come from above. Thus P must follow S.After P, R naturally comes next. Once the sound seems to come from above, he looks up and sees an aeroplane cutting a zigzag path. This visual sight fits directly after the change in direction of the sound.Finally, sentence 6 continues from R and describes what the aeroplane does next, disappearing behind clouds and plunging into the field. So the complete sequence is 1 – Q – S – P – R – 6, that is QSPR.

Verification / Alternative check:
We can verify the order by checking whether any other option gives a smoother narrative. If we start with S, P, or R after sentence 1, there is no clear reason why the man would be expecting the noise to fade or be looking up. Without first thinking of a car, his expectation in S loses context. Similarly, placing P before S would break the contrast signalled by “Instead”, which must refer to a previous expectation. Therefore alternative orders fail logical and grammatical checks, and QSPR remains the only coherent sequence.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option SPRQ is incorrect because it begins with S without explaining what he expects, and it places Q at the end where it no longer fits the narrative flow.Option RPSQ is incorrect because R cannot come before P; he only looks up after realising that the noise is coming from above, which is specifically mentioned in P.Option QPRS is incorrect because it breaks the contrast structure. “Instead” in P must directly oppose S, but here S is placed last.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes ignore small connecting words such as “at first”, “instead”, and “then”. These words are strong signals of temporal and logical relationships. Another common mistake is to focus on the dramatic part, such as the aeroplane in R, and try to place it too early in the sequence, which disrupts the build up. Always check that each sentence flows naturally from the previous one and that expectations and contrasts are preserved.

Final Answer:
The only logically consistent order of the parts is QSPR, so the correct answer is QSPR.