Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: BCA
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Sentence arrangement questions test both grammar and logical flow of ideas. Here you are given a starting phrase They were quite and three labelled fragments. Your task is to place these fragments in a sequence that produces a fluent, meaningful sentence. Being able to mentally reconstruct sentence order is useful for reading comprehension, writing skills, and identifying how English clauses are linked.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The core idea is that some people were fascinated and then remarked that they were surprised about the speaker being fluent in English. First we need a complement after They were quite, which should be an adjective such as fascinated. Then we need a clause showing what they did next, namely remark that they were surprised. Finally, after that reported remark we specify the content of their surprise, that the speaker was fluent in English. Following this logical chain helps to choose the correct order of fragments.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Place an adjective phrase right after They were quite. Fragment B begins with fascinated, which functions perfectly there.
Step 2: Add were quick to from the same fragment, giving They were quite fascinated, and were quick to.
Step 3: Next, we need a verb phrase indicating what they did, which is remark that they were surprised from fragment C.
Step 4: Finally, we add the content clause about the speaker from fragment A, I was fluent in English.
Step 5: Combine them: They were quite fascinated, and were quick to remark that they were surprised I was fluent in English, giving the order B C A.
Verification / Alternative check:
Check each provided order mentally. For example, BAC would produce They were quite fascinated, and were quick to I was fluent in English remark that they were surprised, which is ungrammatical. ACB and ABC also break the natural placement of adjectives and clauses, producing clumsy or incorrect structures. Only BCA gives a smooth, correct sentence in terms of both meaning and grammar. Reading the final version aloud confirms its natural rhythm.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
BAC places I was fluent in English immediately after fascinated, which interrupts the verb pattern were quick to and makes the clause remark that they were surprised fall in the wrong position.
ACB begins with I was fluent in English after They were quite, which is wrong because I is a new subject and we need an adjective complement after were quite.
ABC again places I was fluent in English directly after They were quite, causing a mismatch in subject and complement structure.
Common Pitfalls:
Students often look only at meaning and ignore sentence structure, or they look only at grammar and ignore the natural order of ideas. A balanced strategy is to first ensure that the verb and complement sequence works, and then check whether the events unfold in a logical narrative. Remember that be verbs like were often need an adjective or noun phrase immediately after them before moving to additional clauses.
Final Answer:
The most logical and grammatically correct order of the fragments is BCA.
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