The question below consists of four labelled sentences P, Q, R and S. Select the option that gives the most logical order to form a coherent paragraph about knowledge, education and power.

Introduction / Context:
This para jumble question deals with the relationship between knowledge, education and power. The four sentences mention an old saying about knowledge, describe education as an instrument, and explain how people in power have tried to control education. To arrange them in a coherent paragraph, we need to identify the introductory proverb, the explanation of its meaning, and the consequent actions of those who hold power.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- Sentence S: It is an old saying that knowledge is power.
- Sentence R: Education is an instrument which imparts knowledge and therefore, indirectly controls power.
- Sentence Q: Therefore, ever since the dawn of civilization, persons in power have always tried to supervise or control education.
- Sentence P: It has been the handmaid of the ruling class.
- We must find the order that creates a smooth and logical flow of ideas.

Concept / Approach:
A well formed paragraph typically begins with a general statement or proverb, followed by explanation and logical consequences. Here, the proverb knowledge is power introduces the basic idea that whoever controls knowledge also controls power. The next sentence should connect knowledge to education. Then we move on to describe how rulers, aware of this link, have tried to control education, and finally we sum up education's role in serving the ruling class. This reasoning suggests an order that begins with S, followed by R, Q and P.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Sentence S states the proverb It is an old saying that knowledge is power. This is clearly an introductory line.Step 2: Sentence R then explains how this proverb connects to education by describing education as an instrument that imparts knowledge and thus indirectly controls power.Step 3: Sentence Q begins with the connector Therefore, which indicates a conclusion or result from the previous idea. It explains that persons in power have always tried to supervise or control education for this reason.Step 4: Sentence P continues the thought by saying It has been the handmaid of the ruling class. The word It refers back to education, and handmaid suggests a servant role, neatly summarising education's relationship to power.Step 5: Arranging the sentences as S R Q P gives a clear progression from proverb to explanation to consequence and concluding statement.

Verification / Alternative check:
If we try any other order, the paragraph loses clarity. For example, starting with P gives It has been the handmaid of the ruling class without first defining what It is, which confuses the reader. Beginning with R leaves the proverb unintroduced and makes the Therefore in Q seem unsupported. Only S provides a natural opening, R explains the connection, Q shows its effect on rulers' behaviour, and P summarises the overall result. This chain is logically consistent and stylistically sound.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- SQPR places Q immediately after S, skipping the important link that education is the instrument of knowledge, so the Therefore in Q appears weak.
- PRQS starts with P, which refers to It without prior reference, and disrupts the logical development of the idea.
- PSQR begins with P and then moves to S, which is a proverb, creating an unnatural order where the explanation comes before the saying.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes focus only on local word links, such as pronouns or repeated phrases, and forget to look for global structure, including introductions, explainers and conclusions. Another pitfall is ignoring connectors like Therefore that signal logical relationships. For para jumble questions, it helps to identify which sentence can stand alone as an opening, which ones depend on previous lines, and which sentence feels like a closing comment. This method leads systematically to the correct order.

Final Answer:
The most logical and coherent order of the sentences is SRQP, so the correct option is the sequence SRQP.