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Last Updated on June 18, 2014 by MBAUniverse.com News Desk

Jumbled Paragraphs in CAT 2014: Know the types & how to prepare

CAT 2014 is expected to have 3 questions in Verbal Ability section on jumbled sentences to be formed in a coherent and meaningful paragraph.
CAT 2014 is expected to have 3 questions in Verbal Ability section on jumbled sentences to be formed in a coherent and meaningful paragraph. Core marks awarded for each question on jumbled paragraph are 3 and the 3 questions would carry 9 marks. When converted to percentile these 9 could become 20 meaning your percentile can go up by 20 if you attempted these questions a little cautiously and intelligently.
In this article Prof S K Agarwal, expert on Verbal Ability, shares the different types of jumbled paragraphs with solved past CAT questions and the strategy how to prepare for them.
What in fact is a Parajumble
Jumbled paragraph is a group of misplaced sentences that needs to be placed in a sequential and coherent manner. This group of mixed up and misplaced sentences appears simple in reading but is more difficult when you arrange them coherently so that the due meaning of the paragraph is clear.
The questions on jumbled paragraphs are so designed that you may not be able to locate even the first or last sentence and find that all the sentences are in order whatever way you look at them. These sentences are divided in four parts named either A,B,C,D, or 1,2,3,4. Four options giving some order of such sentences follow each question and you are supposed to pick out the correct order. While candidates prepare for one or other parajumble type, CAT always tries to outwit the aspirants with various types of such questions with varying difficulty level.
Expected types of Parajumbles in CAT 2014
CAT 2014 may keep you flummoxed with one or other type of question on jumbled paragraph. There can be any one or more than one of the following four types of jumbled paragraphs in CAT 2014. Out of these four types, it is quite possible that for quite a few past sessions CAT may not be asking one or other type but there is every possibility that they can place it in 2014. It is therefore, not only necessary to know about them but more important is how to prepare for them.
Type-1: Random
This is the most common type of questions on jumbled paragraphs in CAT. You may expect 2 questions on Random Type. The sentences are jumbled in random order and the aspirant has to arrange them in such a sequence to form a coherent and meaningful paragraph.
Example:
Direction- The sentences as given below in the question, when arranged properly, form a meaningful paragraph. Choose the most appropriate order of sentences out of the given options.
A. However, the real challenge today isunlearning, which is much harder.
B. But the new world of business behavesdifferently from the world in which we grew up. C. Learning is important for both people andorganisations. D. Each of us has mental model that weveused over the years to make sense. 1. DBCA 2. CADB 3. DACB 4. CBDA
Solution
Explanation: Find out what and why a particular sentence begins the para. A- cant begin, it needs some earlier sentence to get connected with however and real challenge; B- begins with a connector But needing some earlier discussion and could be a closing sentence. If you dont put C in the beginning no other sentence qualifies for it as it begins the discussion, while D&B make a pair. Opting for the elimination round, we could arrive at the following reframed para- C. Learning is important for both people and organizations.
A. But the real challenge today is unlearning, which is much harder.
D. Each of us has a mental model that weve used over the years to make sense of the world.
B. But the new world of business behaves differently from the world in which we grew up. The most appropriate answer therefore is Option 2. CADB Type-2
CAT 2014 may become a little benevolent also by providing you the opportunity to solve such questions on jumbled paragraph with opening sentence given while the other sentences are jumbled. The task is slightly easier as you have the opening sentence and need to rearrange the remaining jumbled sentences following the opening sentence.
Example
Direction- In the Following paragraph opening sentence is given followed by a group of sentences, which if placed in correct sequence will form a coherent paragraph. You have to select the most appropriate option out of the given ones that follow the paragraph.
Opening sentence-Neil Simon, who is, without doubt, Americas Leading comedy writer, started his career when only sixteen years old, writing with his brother Daniel, scripts for radio
1.In fact, during the 1966-67 season in New York, theatre goers could have seenBarefoot in the park; The odd Couple; Sweet Charity and The Star-Spangled Girl, which were all running simultaneously.
2. His first play for Broadway was Come Blow Your Horn, which had a limited success and encouraged him to write his first real smash Broadway hit, Barefoot in the Park.
3. With the advent of television he progressed to shows like The Ed Sulli van programme and, in particular,
4. two and a half years with the highly successful Bilko series which is still showing throughout the world.
1) DBAC 2) CDBA 3) BDCA 4) ABDC
Solution
Explanation- This Jumbled paragraph is based on chronology of events. The best part is that the opening sentence clarifies how and when the writer started his career. Opening sentence starts the story that the character did something for radio, then progressed for Television and achieved the heights before the paragraph goes to conclusion with his achievements in part A.
The most appropriate answer option therefore is 2) CDBA
Type-3
In contrast to the type-2 where opening sentence is given, you may face another question type in CAT 2014 on jumbled paragraph where closing sentence is given instead of the opening sentence. The jumbled group of sentences precede the closing sentence and you are required to put them in correct sequence in the manner to arrive at the concluding sentence of the paragraph.
Example
Direction- In the Following paragraph closing sentence is given preceded by a group of sentences, which if placed in correct sequence will form a coherent paragraph. You have to select the most appropriate option out of the given ones that follow the paragraph.
A. I may have a strong desire for a fresh ripe peach, but no peaches may be available
B. On the other hand, I buy some peaches buta sudden attack of hay fever prevents me from enjoying their fragrance or taste.
C. I am about to take a bite when news arrives of an accident injuring someone dear to me.
D. The hay fever passes and my interest in the peach vanishes.
Closing sentence - I no longer have any appetite.
1. DCBA 2. CBAD 3. ABCD 4. ACBD
Solution
Opt for elimination round. Check which one out of D, C, A can begin the sentence keeping in mind that concluding sentence, with no further appetite for peaches ends the para. The cause for conclusion should have been discussed before in the paragraph. D and C obviously cannot begin the para as they represent a subsequent action and conclusion. Now focus on A which should begin the para. Since options 3 and 4 begin with A subsequent sentences have to be checked. If we consider Option 3, B follows A. B in fact precedes D and C precedes B as the subsequent action after C. So option 3 is eliminated. Now we have option 4. ACBD which is most appropriate.
The right answer therefore should be 4.ACBD
Type-4
Another type of question on Jumbled paragraph has both the opening and closing sentences given beforehand. How nice would be the feeling when you have to organize the sentences following the opening sentence and leading to closing sentence. The task should definitely seem easier and the aspirant would become more relaxed. But, going by the reputation of CAT it is not exactly like that. An aspirant now, will have to read between the lines since the body of the parajumble has to be formed in a sequential coherent paragraph. It is like a condensed RC passage in CAT where Level of Difficulty has been increased. Example
Direction- In the Following paragraph Opening and concluding sentences are given followed by a group of sentences, which if placed in correct sequence will form a coherent paragraph. You have to select the most appropriate option out of the given ones that follow the paragraph.
Opening sentence- Room with bed for two, said the proprietor, flinging open a door at the extreme end.
1. Somewhere nearby a fun-fair was testing its loud-hailing apparatus, warming up for a night of revelry..
2. He contrived to invest it with an air of extreme indelicacy, which in no way prepared us for the reality.
3. The sheets were almost clean but on them there was the unmistakable impress of a human form and they were still warm. In the corner there was a wash basin with one long red hair in it and a tap which leaked.
4. It was a nightmare room, the room of a drug fiend or a miscreant or perhaps both. It was illuminated by a forty-watt bulb and looked out on a black wall with something slimy growing on it. The bed was a fearful thing, almost perfectly concave. Underneath it was a pair of old cloth-topped boots.
Closing sentence- The smell of the room was the same as the corridor outside with some indefinable additions
1) ADBC 2)DCAB 3) BDCA v) BCAD
Solution
Explanation- B we arrived at the lodge or inn whatever it was, so the opening sentence of paragraph begins with entering the room; D-the room was observed and described, so subsequent sentence; C-Description continued now with bed and washbasin but still of interior of room; A- concluding part describing the outside of the lodge or inn before closing it with final comment.
We arrive at the most appropriate answer 3) BDCA
How to prepare
We can devote and divide our studies in the most suitable manner between hard copy and soft copy material. A few meaningful suggestive ways can be followed as under
1.Read good books in English by a variety of authors, past and present like James Thurbar, George Bernard Shaw, Evelyn Waugh, Anthony Burgess, Graham Greene They use easy to understand language along with various tones that make you understand the thought and flow of the paragraph. Use your travel time or Bed time for this substantial reading.

2.Editorials and articles in English Newspapers. They give you the opportunity of reading rich in less time. Ideas and thoughts in Paragraphs in news paper give an insight on various situations, problems and imaginations. In order to emphasize the view point, it may begin with an adverb, adjective, superlative, comparative, negation, interrogation. This is important since it will equip you to understand the various types and styles in which the paragraph may be formed. This reading can be done any time during the day as you get the newspaper before your bed-tea time and the same is available till the next one arrives. So you have 24 hours to finish chewing the news paper.
3. When you are at home, in office or have decided to study at the designated hour, start reading and following various types of jumbled paragraphs, past CAT questions, on line as well as off line, try to solve them, find out the committed mistakes, read it afresh and again follow the guidelines. If you are able to solve five to ten parajumbles with 95 percent accuracy every day, rest assured you will begin having fun with them and they will become one of your most favourite pastime.
4. Try to form jumbled paragraphs, follow the opening sentence, lead to closing sentence by following various tips and guidelines available with you. Out of the rich study material,
when you attempt to solve different jumbled paragraphs check where lies the central idea of it in beginning, in the middle or in the end. Opening and closing sentences, if given, will be a support to it.
Parajumbles: trends in CAT 2013
CAT 2013 had 2-3 questions on jumbled paragraphs in each session. There was no parajumble with opening/closing sentence given before hand, the questions across all the sessions were based on random jumbled sentences. You may expect such questions in CAT 2014.
Apart from the conventional jumbled paragraphs the surprise element of CAT 2012 was also repeated in the form of a question to pick the out of context sentences from the Jumbled paragraph, after re-arranging the sentences to make the paragraph meaningful. More surprises in CAT 2014 can be expected in Verbal Ability section.
Read More
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