Reordering of sentences (data protection and Big Data): arrange P, Q, R and S to form a coherent paragraph between S1 and S6. S1: The dawn of the information age opened up great opportunities for the beneficial use of data. S6: To some, in this era of Big Data analytics and automated, algorithm based processing of zettabytes of information, the fear that their personal data may be unprotected may conjure up visions of a dystopian world in which individual liberties are compromised.

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: S Q R P

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This jumbled passage discusses the benefits and dangers of the information age and the need for data protection laws. You must arrange P, Q, R and S so that the passage moves from opportunities and risks to the policy response, while leading smoothly into S6 about public fears in the Big Data era.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • S1: The dawn of the information age opened up great opportunities for the beneficial use of data.
  • S6: To some, in this era of Big Data analytics and automated, algorithm based processing of zettabytes of information, the fear that their personal data may be unprotected may conjure up visions of a dystopian world in which individual liberties are compromised.
  • P: But it is the conflict between the massive scope for progress provided by the digital era and the fear of loss of individual autonomy that is foregrounded in any debates about data protection laws.
  • Q: It also enhanced the perils of unregulated and arbitrary use of personal data.
  • R: It is against this backdrop that the White Paper made public to elicit views from the public on the shape and substance of a comprehensive data protection law assumes significance.
  • S: Unauthorised leaks, hacking and other cyber crimes have rendered databases vulnerable.


Concept / Approach:
The paragraph should:

  • Move from the positive opportunities in S1 to the negative side effects such as leaks and hacking (S).
  • Then generalise these into a broader statement about the perils of unregulated data use (Q).
  • Introduce the policy response in the form of a White Paper (R).
  • Finally, summarise the central conflict between progress and autonomy (P), which links well into S6 describing people's fears.
We must respect the logical build up from concrete problems to abstract conflict and policy debate.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: After S1, which mentions beneficial opportunities, the passage should acknowledge the negative side. S does this by listing unauthorised leaks, hacking, and cyber crimes that make databases vulnerable. Step 2: Q generalises from these examples, stating that the information age has also enhanced the perils of unregulated and arbitrary use of personal data. Step 3: R then introduces the policy response: in this problematic backdrop of risk and vulnerability, a White Paper on data protection law has been released to gather public views. Step 4: P summarises the heart of the debate: a conflict between vast progress enabled by the digital era and fears about loss of individual autonomy. This sets the stage for S6, which speaks of dystopian visions caused by that fear. Step 5: The resulting order is S1 → S → Q → R → P → S6, that is S Q R P.


Verification / Alternative check:
If P appears earlier, the passage would speak of conflicts in data protection debates before even describing any concrete risks, making the argument less persuasive. If R is placed before S and Q, the policy move (White Paper) appears before the reader knows why it is needed. Therefore, the sequence S Q R P is the only one that provides a natural movement from examples of danger to broader conflict and public fear.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option \"Q P R S\": This places abstract discussion of perils and conflict before mentioning concrete threats like hacking and leaks, weakening the argument. Option \"S R P Q\": Here the White Paper appears immediately after describing vulnerabilities, without first generalising the perils of unregulated data use, and the final Q does not link smoothly into S6. Option \"Q S P R\": The sequence of dangers, conflict, and policy becomes disordered: the conflict is introduced before the direct examples and the policy step is pushed to the end, making the paragraph less coherent.


Common Pitfalls:
A frequent error in ordering questions is to treat every sentence beginning with \"It\" or \"This\" as interchangeable. Always check carefully what each pronoun refers to and whether that reference has already been established. In this passage, \"It is against this backdrop\" in R clearly requires earlier sentences describing the risks and perils introduced in S and Q.


Final Answer:
The coherent order of the middle sentences is S Q R P, forming a clear argument about data, risk, and the need for protection laws.

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