The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the sentences to form a coherent paragraph. Cars were owned by A only a privileged few and B my class of society was C as yet untouched by it.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: ABC

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests paragraph jumbled sentence skills. A main sentence has been broken into three labelled parts A, B, and C. The examinee must determine the correct logical order of these parts so that, when combined with the opening fragment, they form a smooth and meaningful sentence. This type of item checks understanding of sentence structure, clause relationships, and natural flow of ideas in English prose.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The unlabelled beginning is Cars were owned by.
  • Part A is only a privileged few.
  • Part B is my class of society was.
  • Part C is as yet untouched by it.
  • We must order A, B, and C to produce one clear and grammatical sentence about car ownership and social class.


Concept / Approach:
To solve, we must examine syntax and meaning. The phrase Cars were owned by naturally takes as its object phrase only a privileged few, which is part A. Then, there is a contrast introduced by and, after which we expect a new clause with subject my class of society and predicate was as yet untouched by it. That second clause is formed by joining B and C in that order. Therefore the complete logical sequence after the opening fragment is A followed by B followed by C, that is ABC.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Start with the given opening Cars were owned by and ask which labelled part can immediately follow by. Step 2: Notice that only A, only a privileged few, correctly completes this part to form Cars were owned by only a privileged few. Step 3: After this, we expect a connector like and, which is visible in the original combined version, leading to a second clause. Step 4: For the second clause, my class of society was as yet untouched by it, B provides the subject and linking verb my class of society was, and C provides the complement as yet untouched by it. Step 5: Therefore, the natural, grammatically correct sequence is A followed by B followed by C, which corresponds to option ABC.


Verification / Alternative check:
Write out the full sentence using ABC: Cars were owned by only a privileged few and my class of society was as yet untouched by it. This sentence is smooth and meaningful. If we try other orders, such as CBA or CAB, the result is ungrammatical or awkward. For example, Cars were owned by as yet untouched by it does not make sense, and my class of society was only a privileged few is also incorrect. This practical testing confirms that ABC is the correct order.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
CBA: Starts with as yet untouched by it, which cannot follow Cars were owned by. The overall sentence fails in both structure and sense. CAB: Would give Cars were owned by only a privileged few and as yet untouched by it my class of society was, which is grammatically broken and wrongly orders the subject and complement. BCA: Begins the continuation with my class of society was, so Cars were owned by my class of society was only a privileged few is syntactically confused and ungrammatical.


Common Pitfalls:
A typical error in jumbled sentence questions is to focus only on meaning and ignore grammar. Candidates may feel that both B and A describe ownership but forget that by must be followed immediately by the noun phrase that names the owner. Another pitfall is to overlook subject complement structure, where my class of society is the subject and as yet untouched by it is the complement linked by was. Understanding this subject link complement pattern is essential for correctly joining B and C.


Final Answer:
The most logical order is ABC, giving Cars were owned by only a privileged few and my class of society was as yet untouched by it.

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