The following question presents three labeled sentence fragments X, Y, and Z. Arrange these fragments in the most logical order to form a coherent sentence: It seemed to them far easier to conceive X that the water had gone down, than Y that solid land had risen Z upward into its present position.

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to arrange labeled sentence fragments in a logical order so that the final sentence is grammatically correct and meaningful. The fragments X, Y, and Z are parts of a comparison about what seemed easier to imagine. You must focus on both sense and grammar to decide the correct order. Such questions are very common in competitive English examinations because they check understanding of clause structure and the natural flow of ideas.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The base framework of the sentence is: It seemed to them far easier to conceive X than Y Z.
• Fragment X is: that the water had gone down.
• Fragment Y is: that solid land had risen.
• Fragment Z is: upward into its present position.

Concept / Approach:
The sentence compares two possible explanations. First, water level going down. Second, solid land rising upward. In English, comparative constructions using easier to conceive that A than that B should be grammatically parallel. The verb phrases that the water had gone down and that solid land had risen must come before the adverbial phrase upward into its present position. The phrase upward into its present position clearly describes how the land has risen and therefore attaches naturally to fragment Y, not to the water clause in fragment X.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the comparative structure: easier to conceive that A than that B. Step 2: Recognize that X (that the water had gone down) gives a complete idea on its own and can directly follow conceive. Step 3: See that Y (that solid land had risen) begins the second idea and Z (upward into its present position) logically completes how the land has risen. Step 4: Combine them as: X then Y then Z to get a smooth, meaningful sentence.

Verification / Alternative check:
Place X, Y, Z in the order XYZ: It seemed to them far easier to conceive that the water had gone down, than that solid land had risen upward into its present position. This sentence is grammatically correct and semantically clear. If you try ZYX or ZXY, the sentence begins awkwardly with upward into its present position, which cannot stand before the full clause that solid land had risen. YZX splits the clause that solid land had risen from its complement upward into its present position, causing an unnatural break.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option ZYX puts the adverbial phrase first, so the sentence starts in an illogical way and confuses the reader. Option ZXY also begins with Z, leaving the complement of risen detached from its verb. Option YZX separates Y and Z and interrupts the natural flow between had risen and upward into its present position, which should not be broken by fragment X about water going down.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to rely only on the idea that upward seems to match risen and therefore place Z somewhere near Y without checking the full sentence structure. Another mistake is to ignore the parallel that the water had gone down and that solid land had risen must form. Some test takers also forget that modifiers like upward into its present position normally come after the complete verb phrase they qualify.

Final Answer:
The correct logical and grammatical order of the fragments is XYZ, so the correct option is XYZ.