Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: RPQ
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests sentence arrangement skills using jumbled segments marked R, P and Q. The topic is an arbitration award and its effect on China's interests. Candidates must recognise the logical and grammatical order that produces a coherent sentence. Such questions evaluate understanding of sentence structure, natural word order, and the placement of adverbials like nevertheless and in multiple ways.
Given Data / Assumptions:
• The labelled parts are: R – award has, nevertheless, P – dented China's interests Q – in multiple ways.• The sentence must begin with a clear subject and verb around the phrase arbitration award.• The adverb nevertheless usually comes after the auxiliary verb or between subject and main verb.• The phrase in multiple ways naturally comes at the end as an adverbial phrase of manner.
Concept / Approach:
To arrange the parts, we first look for the segment that can start the sentence sensibly. The arbitration award has, nevertheless, is a logical beginning because it introduces the subject arbitration award and the auxiliary verb has, along with the concessive adverb nevertheless. This must be followed by the main verb phrase dented China's interests, which expresses what the award has done. Finally, an adverbial phrase of manner or extent such as in multiple ways explains how or to what extent the interests have been dented and is naturally placed at the end.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the segment that contains the subject and auxiliary verb: award has, nevertheless, which is marked R.Step 2: Recognise that the main verb and object, dented China's interests, are in segment P, so P should follow R to complete the verb phrase.Step 3: The phrase in multiple ways in segment Q acts as an adverbial that describes how the interests have been dented.Step 4: Place Q at the end of the sentence to complete the flow: The arbitration award has, nevertheless, dented China's interests in multiple ways.Step 5: Therefore, the correct order is R P Q, which corresponds to option RPQ.
Verification / Alternative check:
Check alternative orders to ensure they sound less natural. For example, P Q R would give dented China's interests in multiple ways award has, nevertheless, which is clearly ungrammatical. R Q P would produce award has, nevertheless, in multiple ways dented China's interests, which is awkward and breaks the natural link between has and dented. Only R followed by P then Q yields a smooth and grammatically correct sentence that preserves the intended meaning.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option b: RQP places in multiple ways between has and dented, disrupting the verb phrase and resulting in a clumsy word order.Option c: PQR starts with dented China's interests, which lacks a clear subject and auxiliary verb, producing a fragment rather than a full sentence.Option d: QPR begins with an adverbial in multiple ways, leaving the subject and main verb too far apart and making the sentence unnecessarily awkward.
Common Pitfalls:
Many learners try to start a sentence with a dramatic phrase like in multiple ways, thinking it adds emphasis. However, in formal exam English, clear subject-verb order is more important than stylistic experimentation. Another common mistake is not noticing where auxiliary verbs and main verbs belong together. When you see has, had, have or is, are, was, were in one fragment, you should look for the main verb in another fragment and keep them close together. This strategy greatly simplifies jumbled sentence questions.
Final Answer:
The coherent sentence is: The arbitration award has, nevertheless, dented China's interests in multiple ways. Correct order: RPQ.
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