Rearrange the given parts to form a correct sentence: The whole biosphere, like P: a chemically dynamic state Q: the individual organisms that R: live inside it, exists in

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: QRP

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to rearrange sentence fragments into a meaningful and grammatically correct sentence. You are given a main clause and three labelled parts (P, Q, R). Your task is to select the order of these parts that produces a clear, logical sentence about the biosphere and the organisms that live in it. Such questions check understanding of sentence structure and logical flow of ideas.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The fixed beginning and end are: The whole biosphere, like ... , exists in.
  • P: a chemically dynamic state
  • Q: the individual organisms that
  • R: live inside it, exists in
  • We must insert Q, P, and R between like and the comma so that the full sentence is meaningful and grammatically correct.


Concept / Approach:
The sentence is comparing the whole biosphere to something else using like. That something else is the individual organisms that live inside it. After completing the comparison, the sentence needs a phrase that tells us the state both the biosphere and the organisms exist in, which is a chemically dynamic state. The natural flow is: The whole biosphere, like the individual organisms that live inside it, exists in a chemically dynamic state. This order corresponds to Q (the individual organisms that), R (live inside it), and then P (a chemically dynamic state), giving the sequence QRP.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Start with the base: The whole biosphere, like ... , exists in ...Step 2: Recognise that like should be followed by a noun phrase, which will be built from Q and R. Q begins the noun phrase the individual organisms that, and R completes it with live inside it.Step 3: Combine Q and R: the individual organisms that live inside it. This forms a complete and meaningful comparison object.Step 4: After the comma, we need the phrase that describes the state: a chemically dynamic state (P).Step 5: Insert P at the end: ... exists in a chemically dynamic state. The complete sentence now reads naturally: The whole biosphere, like the individual organisms that live inside it, exists in a chemically dynamic state. Therefore, the correct order is QRP.


Verification / Alternative check:
Try other orders to see why they fail. If we choose RQP, we would get like live inside it the individual organisms that a chemically dynamic state, which is ungrammatical. If we choose QPR, the result would be like the individual organisms that a chemically dynamic state live inside it, also ill-formed. PQR would give like a chemically dynamic state the individual organisms that live inside it, which makes poor sense because we first compare the biosphere to a state, not to organisms. The only smooth and logical sentence is produced by QRP.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
RQP and QPR break the noun clause describing the individual organisms and scatter its parts in the wrong order, producing ungrammatical phrases. PQR starts with a chemically dynamic state immediately after like, which would imply that the biosphere is like a state, and then awkwardly attaches the individual organisms phrase. None of these alternatives yields a clear comparison with correct relative clause structure.


Common Pitfalls:
Students may be tempted to place P immediately after like because it feels short and simple. However, the logic of the sentence requires that like be followed first by the group being compared (the organisms), completed by the relative clause that live inside it. Only after the comparison is closed with a comma should the description of the state be introduced. Understanding this structure helps you solve similar rearrangement questions quickly.


Final Answer:
The correct arrangement is QRP, giving the sentence: The whole biosphere, like the individual organisms that live inside it, exists in a chemically dynamic state.

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