The following sentences are labelled P, Q, R and S. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of these labelled parts to form a coherent paragraph about political defection and democracy.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: PSRQ

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to arrange jumbled sentences into a logical and coherent paragraph. The four labelled parts discuss political defection, its opportunistic nature, the illogical details of the current law, and the impact of a proposed blanket ban on democracy. You need to choose the order that builds the argument in a natural, persuasive way.


Given Data / Assumptions:
P: Granted, political defection is increasingly less an act of ideological defiance than one of pure opportunism.
Q: Yet, for all it flaws, the current law recognizes and respects one fundamental principle: The right to dissent.
R: A blanket ban on defection will weaken rather than strengthen democracy, in whose name it is being sought to be imposed.
S: Granted also that it is illogical to allow a third of the party to split but not in a lesser number.
We must select one of the given sequences (RPSQ, PSRQ, RSPQ, PRSQ) that produces a clear argument.


Concept / Approach:
The paragraph has a classic argumentative structure: first, it concedes some criticisms of the current defection situation (two granted statements), then it states the main claim about a blanket ban on defection, and finally it defends the current law despite its flaws. P and S both start with granted or granted also, so they naturally form the opening concessions. R expresses the key thesis that a blanket ban will weaken democracy, and Q begins with Yet, which is used to introduce a contrasting point in favour of the current law. Therefore, the most logical sequence is P S R Q (option PSRQ).


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify sentences that clearly look like concessions. P starts with Granted, and S starts with Granted also, so these two sentences should come at the beginning to acknowledge criticisms. Step 2: Decide the order between P and S. P is a general criticism about political defection being opportunistic, while S is a more technical criticism about allowing a third of a party to split but not a smaller group. It is natural to move from the general point (P) to the specific detail (S). Step 3: After making concessions, the writer will usually state his main argument. R makes a strong claim: A blanket ban on defection will weaken rather than strengthen democracy. This fits as the central thesis. Step 4: Q begins with Yet, signaling a contrast or qualification that follows the main claim. It says that despite flaws, the current law still respects the right to dissent, which supports the idea that a blanket ban is not required. Step 5: Putting it all together: P (general concession) → S (specific concession) → R (main argument against blanket ban) → Q (final justification of current law). This yields the sequence PSRQ. Step 6: Among the options, PSRQ is given as option B, so that is the correct answer.


Verification / Alternative check:
Read the full paragraph in the PSRQ order: Granted, political defection is increasingly less an act of ideological defiance than one of pure opportunism. Granted also that it is illogical to allow a third of the party to split but not in a lesser number. A blanket ban on defection will weaken rather than strengthen democracy, in whose name it is being sought to be imposed. Yet, for all its flaws, the current law recognizes and respects one fundamental principle: The right to dissent. The argument now flows smoothly from concessions to a warning against overreaction and a defence of existing law.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
RPSQ starts directly with the thesis about the blanket ban, then jumps back to the concessions; this disrupts the natural pattern of concede, then argue, and makes the Yet in Q less effective.
RSPQ also begins with R, and then the granted sentences appear in a less coherent order, with P awkwardly placed just before Q.
PRSQ puts P first but then jumps to R before giving the second concession in S, making Granted also that in S feel out of place and poorly connected.


Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to place the strongest statement (R) first simply because it sounds decisive, ignoring the discourse markers granted and yet that signal concession and contrast. Another pitfall is to underestimate the importance of also in S, which clearly ties it to a previous granted, showing that S should follow P. Paying attention to these small discourse markers often makes sentence ordering questions much easier to solve.


Final Answer:
The most logical and coherent order of sentences is PSRQ (option B).

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