The sentences P, Q, R, and S describe how books are our unfailing friends. Choose the most logical order to form a coherent paragraph.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: QPRS

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is a sentence arrangement question that tests your ability to construct a coherent paragraph from jumbled sentences. The theme of the passage is the value of books as loyal friends who support human beings emotionally. To answer correctly, you must read all four labelled sentences and identify which sequence provides a smooth logical flow, from general idea to supporting details and finally to a broader conclusion.


Given Data / Assumptions:
The four sentences are:
- Q: Books are never failing friends.
- P: They never desert us even when all fair weather friends have deserted us.
- R: They dispel the dark clouds of gloom from our minds and increase our happiness if we are already happy.
- S: Through the ages, the scriptures and other great books have provided immeasurable solace to the wounded and strife torn humanity.
We assume that all four belong to one paragraph and that no sentence is to be discarded.


Concept / Approach:
In paragraph arrangement, the best strategy is to look for the topic sentence, pronoun references, and examples that naturally follow a general statement. Here, sentence Q introduces the key idea: books as unfailing friends. Sentences P and R explain how books behave like such friends by describing what they do for us. Sentence S finally gives a broad historical example about scriptures and their role for humanity. This suggests a movement from general statement to explanation and then to a big picture illustration.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the opening sentence. Q explicitly names the subject “Books” and calls them never failing friends, so it is ideal as an introduction. Step 2: Check sentences that refer back to books with pronouns like “they”. P starts with “They never desert us”, clearly referring to “Books” from Q, so P should follow Q. Step 3: R also begins with “They” and expands on how books dispel gloom and increase happiness. This is another supporting detail that follows naturally after P. Step 4: S shifts to “Through the ages, the scriptures and other great books…”, which functions as a broader historical illustration and therefore fits well as the closing sentence of the paragraph. Step 5: Combine the order as Q P R S, which corresponds to option "QPRS".


Verification / Alternative check:
Read the full paragraph in the chosen order: "Books are never failing friends. They never desert us even when all fair weather friends have deserted us. They dispel the dark clouds of gloom from our minds and increase our happiness if we are already happy. Through the ages, the scriptures and other great books have provided immeasurable solace to the wounded and strife torn humanity." This reads smoothly and logically, with no abrupt shifts. Other sequences either start with pronouns without antecedents or break the flow between explanation and historical example.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- "QRSP": Places S before P, jumping from abstract help for humanity back to personal friendships, which feels backward.
- "PRSQ": Starts with P, where "They" has no clear antecedent, making the opening confusing.
- "RSPQ": Again begins with "They" and then jumps, leaving the reader wondering who "They" are until very late.


Common Pitfalls:
Many students ignore pronoun reference and pick options solely based on content. Always check whether a sentence that begins with "They" or "These" has a clear subject introduced earlier. Also, consider the natural order from concept to illustration, not the other way around. Recognising the role of a topic sentence is essential in such questions.


Final Answer:
The most logical and coherent order is QPRS, where Q introduces books as unfailing friends, P and R give supporting details, and S provides a final historical illustration.

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