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CAT 2017 Slot 2 — VARC Question 28

Mixed PracticeEasy

The five sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) given in this question, when properly sequenced, from a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a number. Decide on the proper order for the sentences and key in this sequence of five numbers as your answer.

  1. The implications of retelling of Indian stories, hence takes on new meaning in a modern India.
  2. The stories we tell reflect the world around us.
  3. We cannot help but retell the stories that we value -after all, they are never quite right for us-in our time.
  4. And even if we manage to get them quite right, they are only right for us-other people living around us will have different reasons for telling similar stories.
  5. As soon as we capture a story, the world we were trying to capture has changed.

Answer & solution

Correct answer: 25341

Answer: 25341

Solution

Easy

A five-sentence para-jumble (key in the order). Find the opener (the broadest, most general statement), then chain sentences using linking words and the logic of the argument. Here the topic is retelling stories, so the opener should introduce "stories" in general terms.

1

Opener — 2. "The stories we tell reflect the world around us." This is the broadest, self-standing statement that names the subject (stories) and links them to "the world." Every other sentence builds on this. So 2 starts.

2

2 → 5. Sentence 5 says "As soon as we capture a story, the world we were trying to capture has changed." It picks up the "world" idea from 2 and introduces the tension: the world keeps changing. So 2, 5.

3

5 → 3. Because the world has changed (5), the stories "are never quite right for us — in our time," which is why "we cannot help but retell" them (3). This is the direct consequence. So 2, 5, 3.

4

3 → 4. Sentence 4 begins "And even if we manage to get them quite right, they are only right for us..." The "even if" concedes against the "never quite right" claim of 3 — a clear continuation. So 2, 5, 3, 4.

5

Closer — 1. "The implications of retelling of Indian stories, hence, takes on new meaning in a modern India." The "hence" signals a concluding inference drawn from the whole chain, making 1 the natural final sentence.

The coherent order is 2 – 5 – 3 – 4 – 1. Key in 25341.

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CAT 2017 Slot 2 VARC Q28: The five sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) given in this question, when properly sequenced, from a coherent p — Solution | TheCATExam