Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: QPRS
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Paragraph arrangement questions test the ability to understand the logical development of ideas and to identify which sentence should come first, which should support it, and which sentences provide contrast or conclusion. In this question, the four labelled sentences describe the relationship between rural and urban population in India, rural to urban migration, and the advantages and disadvantages of urban life. The task is to find the order that produces a coherent and smoothly flowing paragraph.
Given Data / Assumptions:
The sentences talk about India, rural villages, urban population, migration, and the risks of urban life.
Sentence Q states that gains of being a unit of the urban population are less than the disadvantages and risks in urban life.
Sentence P refers to a situation that happens despite something mentioned earlier, and talks about rampant migration of rural families to urban centres.
Sentence R states that rural population still dominates urban population in terms of absolute numbers.
Sentence S states that India is a country of villages.
Concept / Approach:
The key idea is to locate the logical starting sentence, then see which sentence naturally follows when we read the ideas as a short paragraph. Words such as however, therefore, despite, this and still are strong clues because they refer back to a previous statement or contrast with it. We must build a chain where each sentence connects smoothly to the next without leaving any pronoun or reference hanging without a clear noun or idea.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Look for a general sentence that can introduce the topic. Sentence Q talks about the gains and disadvantages of urban life, which can open a discussion about why people still migrate to cities.
Step 2: After Q states that urban life has more disadvantages and risks, it makes sense that P follows and begins with the phrase this is despite the fact, which refers back to the disadvantages mentioned in Q, and then mentions rampant migration of rural families to urban centres.
Step 3: Once the migration to cities is mentioned, R can logically follow by saying that rural population still dominates urban population in numbers, which is a numerical conclusion drawn from the previous ideas.
Step 4: S, which states that India is a country of villages, can naturally conclude the paragraph by summarising the idea that in spite of migration, India continues to be predominantly rural.
Step 5: Check each given option and match it against the discovered order. The sequence QPRS matches our reasoning.
Verification / Alternative check:
If we try to start with S or R, we get a valid fact but there is no clear reference for the phrase this is despite the fact in sentence P, because it could either refer to rural dominance or something else. When Q is placed first, P clearly refers to the disadvantages mentioned in Q, which strengthens the coherence.
Trying combinations like RPQS or SRQP either ends with a weak conclusion or leaves the pronoun this in P without a clear logical anchor. The sequence QPRS gives a smooth flow from causes and conditions to observation and final conclusion.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (QRSP) puts S at the end but separates R and P, breaking the this is despite link, so the contrast is not correctly expressed.
Option B (RPQS) ends with S as a sentence that does not summarise the previous idea in a natural way and misplaces the contrast in P.
Option C (SRQP) starts correctly with S and R but then places Q and P in a way that gives an awkward and less logical flow.
Option E (PSRQ) cannot be correct because P begins with this is despite the fact and must refer to an earlier sentence, not introduce the paragraph.
Common Pitfalls:
Students often select the option that starts with a sentence about India or villages without checking whether the pronouns and contrast words such as this or despite have a logical reference. Another common mistake is to assume that numerical statements like rural population still dominates must always come at the beginning instead of checking how they support or conclude the discussion. Careful reading of linking phrases is essential in paragraph arrangement questions.
Final Answer:
The most logical and coherent order of the sentences is QPRS, so option D is correct.
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