CAT Prep: How to crack Jumbled Paragraphs with out of context sentences

The difficulty level in various types of questions based on jumbled paragraphs in CAT has already been high enough and on the top of it, a surprise element appeared in CAT 2012 that is the question to pick Out of Context sentence in jumbled paragraphs. It was something new for the aspirants and as such they had tough time, finding it difficult to solve this benevolent surprise from CAT. The concept was to decode the jumbled paragraph and pick out the out of context sentence as well. A few of the mentors who anticipate such surprises ( since CAT has the reputation of bringing surprises every year, although it is denied every year) always try to gear up the aspirants for any eventuality like this and the only Mantra is versatile study pattern.

Is this type of para-jumble so tough? No it is not, if you recall our childhood school days when you used to solve small puzzles, answer the riddles in fun and play, you may find what you did, had you continued with it, most probably you would have not crammed your head to study so much on this part of Verbal Ability. Nevertheless, since you have it, you must

crack it with a good skill and understanding.

This type of para-jumble has four-five sentences labelled A,B,C,D, and/or E-because the 5th sentence E may or may not be there.

These four-five sentences when placed in a sequential order will form a coherent paragraph, but one of the sentences will be out of context and will convey a different message than the other sentences taken together. Remember the rules to pick the odd man out of the four five related words the same rule applies but with much advanced thought process and understanding to click the right sequence.

Try to solve the following small examples on words - If I write, pick the odd man out of the following five words, it will be more appropriate

Ex. 1) 1. Gujarat 2.Kerala 3.Uttar Pradesh 4.West Bengal 5.Maharashtra

Explanation how would you proceed alphabetical order, literacy, population or what? But nothing of the sort is informed here. You know they are the states of Union of India all have Legislative Assemblies the information like population etc. if not divulged should not be accounted for. All the states but one is missing on something very important and that is the coastline which Uttar Pradesh doesnt have. So the right answer is 3.Uttar Pradesh.

Ex.2) A.EngineerB.ArchitectC.MechanicD.MasonE.Blacksmith

Explanation C. Mechanic is odd man out since he doesnt help in building house.

In the same manner when you try to locate an out of context sentence you should be aware of number of things like actions, objects, statements, whether the same idea is followed in the entire paragraph or the stand has changed. If the paragraph is all about the current state of affairs in the country; all the sentences describe it but one sentence proposes some relevant action to be taken on the issue- this sentence has got to be out of context.

The fragments in jumbled paragraph One is required to link the sentences in accordance with the information provided in the paragraph. It is necessary to ensure that the idea and action expressed in the jumbled paragraph move in the same line, any sentence expressing different idea and differing the coherent formation of the paragraph will be an out of context sentence. Hence, a paragraph fragment, in fact is a sentence in the paragraph that breaks the consistency and coherence of the paragraph. This sentence is the out of context sentence in the paragraph as it neither expresses the coherence nor supplements to the complete thought.

How to solve it - If a sentence doesnt seem to convey the continuity to the thread of a complete thought, it should be placed as out of context sentence. A good way to recognize an out of context sentence is to read a paragraph backwards sentence by sentence. So, there are two things to do

Arrange the jumbled paragraph of 3-4 difficult sentences coherently to make it meaningful, and

Pick out the out of context sentence which is not relevant to the string of thought in the paragraph, although that may be quite close to it.

Let us share an example

Direction- Out of the five sentences as given below and labelled A,B,C,D,E in the question, four, when arranged properly, will form a meaningful and coherent paragraph while one of the sentences is out of context. Choose the most appropriate order of sentences out of the given options with out of context sentence marked in brackets.

Legislating laws to prohibit marriage between races hurt the couples involved and Often couples who had lived together for years had to separate

These laws prohibited intermarriage between people of different races

Which caused loneliness and bitterness because of ignorance and a desire to see themselves as better than people of other races

Up to the 1960s, miscegenation laws were still enforced in some parts of the United States

ABCD (E) 2. EDCA (B) 3. ADEB (C) 4.ECBA (D)

Ans. is 4.ECBA (D) - Explanation -E-Chronology upto 1960 what was in force-C-what were they-so follows;B- pair to C; A-concludes the para. D-is out of context as it discusses the impact of separation and not of legislative laws, although indirectly they may be associated to the same. It should become a part of following para.Obviously D breaks the coherence of the paragraph and stands alone and become a fragment to the paragraph.

Important piece of Advice You may expect two questions of this type in CAT. Correct answers to these questions will give you a weightage of around 6 to 8 marks. These questions test your versatile reading, understanding of language, writing ability based on deep stock of vocabulary, grammar and correct use of tenses. So, try to have fun while solving such questions instead of finding them a burden.

The author of this article Mr S K Agarwal is a CAT Expert, a seasoned CAT trainer with over 25 years of experience, & author of many CAT books. He also guides Verbal Ability Section to CAT Aspirants through MBAUniverse.com online coaching classes. MBAUniverse.com offers a comprehensive preparation package coupled with over 200 online interactive classes with Top CAT experts including from IIMs for CAT 2013 preparation. Visit the link below for more information and new batch schedules: http://www.mbauniverse.com/mba-exam-preparation/CAT_Preparation/mba_preparation_package.php Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more CAT 2013 prep articles and news on MBA exams.