The question below consists of three labelled parts of a sentence. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the labels to form a coherent sentence. X: I've taken out my ear buds Y: so I can listen for announcements Z: and stay poised and vigilant

Introduction / Context:
This is a sentence arrangement question in which three fragments are labelled X, Y, and Z. The task is to choose the sequence that produces a coherent and grammatically correct sentence. Questions of this type test understanding of logical flow, natural word order, and how clauses connect in English.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Fragment X: "I've taken out my ear buds"
• Fragment Y: "so I can listen for announcements"
• Fragment Z: "and stay poised and vigilant"
• We must arrange X, Y, and Z in a logical order that forms a smooth sentence.

Concept / Approach:
A well formed sentence should start with a clear main clause and then add reasons or results. Fragment X contains the subject "I" and the main verb phrase "have taken out my ear buds", which makes it a good starting point. The remaining fragments Y and Z both describe purposes or results: listening for announcements and staying poised and vigilant. These can be joined with "and" as two coordinated purposes. Therefore, the proper order is to begin with X and then join Z and Y in a grammatically natural sequence, resulting in "I have taken out my ear buds and stay poised and vigilant so I can listen for announcements." This sequence corresponds to X Z Y.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the fragment that can serve as a complete main clause. Fragment X "I've taken out my ear buds" already has a subject and a verb, so it is a natural beginning. Step 2: Examine fragment Y "so I can listen for announcements". This begins with "so", indicating purpose or result, and therefore should follow an action. Step 3: Examine fragment Z "and stay poised and vigilant". This phrase continues the idea of purpose or result and is naturally linked by "and" to some earlier idea. Step 4: Connect X and Z: "I've taken out my ear buds and stay poised and vigilant". This structure shows that the speaker has taken an action and is simultaneously maintaining a state of alertness. Step 5: Add Y at the end: "I've taken out my ear buds and stay poised and vigilant so I can listen for announcements." This reads as a complete and meaningful sentence. Step 6: The order of labels that produces this sentence is X Z Y, which corresponds to option (c).

Verification / Alternative check:
Test the other orders quickly. Y Z X begins with "so I can listen for announcements", which is a dependent clause and sounds incomplete at the start. Z X Y begins with "and stay poised and vigilant", which cannot start a sentence properly without a prior clause. Y X Z and other variations likewise create awkward or incomplete structures. Only X Z Y begins with a clear subject and verb, then adds logically related reasons and coordinated phrases, confirming that this is the correct order.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• ZXY: Starts with "and stay poised and vigilant", which is not a complete clause and sounds abrupt without a previous statement.
• YZX: Begins with "so I can listen for announcements", a purpose clause that cannot stand alone comfortably as a sentence opening here.
• XZY: This order produces "I've taken out my ear buds and stay poised and vigilant so I can listen for announcements", which is logically and grammatically acceptable; hence, this is the correct choice.
• YXZ: Again begins with "so I can listen for announcements", leaving the reader waiting for the main action that should come before the "so" clause.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners may be tempted to put Y in the middle because the word "so" seems to connect two clauses, but without first establishing the main clause, the sentence feels incomplete. Another mistake is to start with a phrase beginning with "and", which usually continues a previous idea rather than starting a new one. To avoid such errors, always look for the fragment that can function as an independent clause and place it first.

Final Answer:
The most logical order of the fragments is X Z Y, so option (c) is correct.