Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: RPQ
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question checks your skill in sentence rearrangement at the clause level. You are given three labelled parts P, Q, and R, which must be arranged after the initial phrase "At one level," to form a coherent sentence about the limits of law in understanding cases of violence. Such questions test logical flow, grammar, and your ability to recognise complete ideas.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To solve rearrangement questions, first identify which fragment can act as the subject or main clause. Here, R ("one senses the limits of") clearly functions as the main clause because it has an implicit subject "one" and a verb "senses". Next, look for objects or prepositional phrases that naturally follow it. The expression "the limits of the law in understanding such cases of violence" is a natural continuation. So we must form that phrase using P and Q in the correct order.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Attach R to the initial phrase: "At one level, one senses the limits of ...". This is grammatically sound and clearly introduces a main clause.
Step 2: Consider what "the limits of" should be followed by. We expect a noun phrase like "the law in understanding such cases of violence".
Step 3: Examine P: "the law in understanding". This fits immediately after "the limits of" to give "the limits of the law in understanding".
Step 4: Examine Q: "such cases of violence". This naturally completes the phrase "the law in understanding such cases of violence".
Step 5: Combine the parts: "At one level, one senses the limits of the law in understanding such cases of violence."
Step 6: Map the order used: R followed by P followed by Q, which is RPQ.
Verification / Alternative check:
Try alternative orders and see why they fail. If we start with P after the starter ("At one level, the law in understanding"), we get a fragment that lacks a clear verb and subject. If we start with Q ("At one level, such cases of violence"), we still miss a main verb and the sentence does not directly present a complete thought. Only R provides both a subject and a verb ("one senses"), and P plus Q then complete the object phrase smoothly.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (RQP): "At one level, one senses the limits of such cases of violence the law in understanding" is ungrammatical and breaks the natural phrase "the law in understanding such cases of violence".
Option B (PQR): "At one level, the law in understanding such cases of violence one senses the limits of" leads to an awkward and almost meaningless structure.
Option D (QRP): "At one level, such cases of violence one senses the limits of the law in understanding" disturbs normal word order and creates confusion.
Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes start with phrases that sound abstract or important, like "the law", without checking whether there is a verb to support them. Another pitfall is ignoring standard English patterns like "limits of the law" and "understanding such cases of violence". Paying attention to which fragments combine into familiar collocations and grammatical structures is crucial for success in rearrangement questions.
Final Answer:
The correct order is RPQ, forming the sentence, "At one level, one senses the limits of the law in understanding such cases of violence."
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