The question below consists of a set of labelled sentences about social criticism. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the sentences (P, Q, R, S) to form a coherent paragraph on socialism, criticism of capitalism and postmodernism.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: RPQS

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This is a paragraph arrangement question based on abstract ideas from social and political theory. The four sentences mention social criticism, different forms of socialism, experiences of minorities, the centrality of the critique of capitalism and the effect of postmodernism on grand theories. Your task is to arrange them in an order that creates a smooth, logically connected argument.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • R: The starting points of social criticism can be very different and the different forms of socialism never has a monopoly on Social Criticism.
  • P: The starting point can be the experience of a minority within society generally or even the experience of a group of people within a progressive social movement which does not live up to its progressive agenda in every respect.
  • Q: Within (or after) postmodernism a grand unifying theory no longer seems possible. This does not exclude the possibility or the necessity of dialogue.
  • S: Nevertheless most social critics still consider the Critique of capitalism to be central.
  • We must pick the option that produces a coherent, flowing paragraph from these four parts.


Concept / Approach:
Look for a broad opening statement, then examples or elaboration, followed by the main claim and finally a qualification or conceptual framing. R sounds like a good starting point because it introduces the idea that social criticism can have many starting points and denies any monopoly. P then explains R by giving a specific example of such starting points. Q talks about the context of postmodernism and the loss of a grand unifying theory. S, with Nevertheless, contrasts with this and states that the critique of capitalism remains central. Because Nevertheless usually refers back to a strong previous claim, Q must come before S. Therefore the logical order is R, P, Q, S (RPQS).


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Choose the introduction. R speaks in general terms about starting points of social criticism and mentions different forms of socialism. It introduces the broad topic, so it is an ideal opening sentence. Step 2: Find the sentence that elaborates R. P directly picks up the phrase starting point and provides specific examples: the experience of a minority within society or a group inside a progressive movement. This clearly explains the general claim made in R, so P should follow R. Step 3: Decide where Q fits. Q introduces the framework of postmodernism and states that a grand unifying theory no longer seems possible. This moves the discussion to a more theoretical level, after the examples of starting points have been given, so Q naturally comes after P. Step 4: Examine S. S begins with Nevertheless, which is a contrast marker. It makes sense as a response to the idea in Q that a grand unifying theory is not possible. Despite that situation, S says that most social critics still consider the critique of capitalism to be central. Therefore S should immediately follow Q. Step 5: The resulting sequence is R P Q S, exactly matching option RPQS.


Verification / Alternative check:
Read the paragraph in the RPQS order: The starting points of social criticism can be very different and the different forms of socialism never has a monopoly on Social Criticism. The starting point can be the experience of a minority within society generally or even the experience of a group of people within a progressive social movement which does not live up to its progressive agenda in every respect. Within (or after) postmodernism a grand unifying theory no longer seems possible. This does not exclude the possibility or the necessity of dialogue. Nevertheless most social critics still consider the Critique of capitalism to be central. The flow is logically sound: general statement, illustration, theoretical situation, and then an important qualification.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
PRQS starts with a specific example (P) before giving the broader context in R, which feels backward and less coherent; the reader wonders whose starting point is being discussed until R appears.
RQPS puts Q too early, jumping into postmodernism and dialogue immediately after R, and then returns to a specific example in P, which breaks the flow from general to specific.
PSRQ begins with a specific example, jumps to the centrality of capitalism in S, then moves back to the general idea in R and only then brings in postmodernism in Q; this produces a confusing and disjointed argument.


Common Pitfalls:
A frequent mistake with abstract topics is to focus only on familiar words like capitalism or postmodernism and try to place those sentences first. Instead, you should follow discourse clues such as Nevertheless and repeated phrases like starting point, which clearly signal the logical relations between sentences. Training yourself to spot these markers will greatly improve your accuracy in paragraph arrangement questions, even when the subject matter is theoretical or unfamiliar.


Final Answer:
The most logical and coherent order of the sentences is RPQS, option B.

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