Difficulty: Medium
Correct Answer: RQP
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question tests your ability to understand sentence structure and logical flow in English by rearranging jumbled parts into a coherent statement. The introductory phrase We need not is already given, and you must decide how to arrange segments P, Q, and R to complete the thought accurately. The underlying idea is philosophical, suggesting that we should not force ourselves to love everyone in order to be truly cosmopolitan. To solve this, you need to understand both the grammar and the meaning of each fragment and then build the most natural and meaningful sentence.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
To solve sentence rearrangement questions, focus on logical connections, the role of each phrase, and which segments can follow one another without breaking grammar. Here, R begins with the verb place and clearly needs a subject before it, which is supplied by We need not. So We need not place on ourselves the unbearable sounds like a natural start. Next, Q burden of loving each other in can follow as the object of place, giving place on ourselves the unbearable burden of loving each other in. Finally, P order to nurture true cosmopolitanism completes the purpose clause in order to nurture true cosmopolitanism. This overall sequence R Q P produces a natural and meaningful sentence.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Attach each fragment mentally to the opening. We need not plus a base verb is required. Among the fragments, R starts with place on ourselves the unbearable, which fits perfectly after We need not.
Step 2: Form the partial sentence We need not place on ourselves the unbearable. This already looks like a grammatically correct beginning with a verb and object phrase.
Step 3: Consider how Q fits next. Q burden of loving each other in looks like it expands the noun phrase the unbearable burden of loving each other in, which naturally follows place on ourselves.
Step 4: Combine R and Q to get We need not place on ourselves the unbearable burden of loving each other in. This is still incomplete but logically consistent.
Step 5: Now examine P order to nurture true cosmopolitanism. When you add in at the end of Q mentally, the sequence becomes the unbearable burden of loving each other in order to nurture true cosmopolitanism, which makes sense as a purpose clause.
Step 6: The full sentence now reads: We need not place on ourselves the unbearable burden of loving each other in order to nurture true cosmopolitanism. This is grammatically correct and logically meaningful.
Verification / Alternative check:
Check the other orders quickly. If you try QRP, PQR, or PRQ, you will get broken phrases such as burden of loving each other in place on ourselves or order to nurture true cosmopolitanism burden of loving each other, which do not form smooth or grammatically complete structures. Only RQP gives a clear, flowing sentence. This verifies that the chosen sequence is correct.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
QRP starts with We need not burden of loving each other in, which lacks a main verb and is incorrect.
PRQ would force the opening We need not order to nurture true cosmopolitanism, which changes the intended meaning and still fails to connect properly with the remaining parts.
PQR does not give a natural object for place and results in awkward word order, making the sentence difficult to understand.
Common Pitfalls:
Candidates sometimes latch onto the idea that order to nurture true cosmopolitanism must come immediately after We need not because it resembles in order to, but they ignore the requirement that a main verb should follow We need not first. Another pitfall is to try to join parts mechanically based only on the last and first words without considering how English sentences actually unfold. Always start by locating the main verb and ensuring that the subject, verb, and object appear in a logical order before adding purpose or reason clauses.
Final Answer:
The only arrangement that produces a clear, correct sentence is We need not place on ourselves the unbearable burden of loving each other in order to nurture true cosmopolitanism, which corresponds to the sequence RQP.
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