📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. The 4 Golden Clues
- Opening sentence: introduces the topic/name; it does not begin with a pronoun (he, it, this) or a connector (however, so).
- Pronoun link: a sentence with "He/She/It/They/This" follows the one that names that noun.
- Connectors: however, but (contrast); therefore, so (result); moreover, also (addition); finally, thus (conclusion).
- Time/logic sequence: first → then → later → finally; cause → effect; general → specific; a → the (first "a", later "the").
💡 Memory Tip: Find a mandatory pair (e.g. "a car" … "the car"); eliminate options that break it — two options usually go at once.
📌 2. Solved Example
P. He started a small shop in his village. Q. Ramesh lost his job during the lockdown. R. Today, the shop employs ten people. S. Instead of giving up, he decided to start a business.
- Q introduces Ramesh → opening. S "he decided" follows Q. P starts the business → after S. R "Today" → end. Answer: QSPR.
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Do not rely on a single clue; read the full paragraph in your chosen order to confirm.
📌 3. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. He started a small shop in his village. Q. Ramesh lost his job during the lockdown. R. Today, the shop employs ten people. S. Instead of giving up, he decided to start a business. Practice
Correct answer: (B) QSPR
Explanation: Q introduces Ramesh; S 'he decided'; P starts the shop; R 'Today' comes last.
Explanation: Q introduces Ramesh; S 'he decided'; P starts the shop; R 'Today' comes last.
Q2. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. it became one of the most visited monuments Q. built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife R. the Taj Mahal, a symbol of love, S. over the centuries Practice
Correct answer: (C) RQSP
Explanation: Subject 'the Taj Mahal' (R) first, then its description (Q), then 'over the centuries' (S), then the result (P).
Explanation: Subject 'the Taj Mahal' (R) first, then its description (Q), then 'over the centuries' (S), then the result (P).
Q3. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. Then she added sugar and milk. Q. First, she boiled water in a pan. R. Finally, she poured the tea into cups. S. Next, she put tea leaves in the boiling water. Practice
Correct answer: (D) QSPR
Explanation: Time words: First (Q) → Next (S) → Then (P) → Finally (R).
Explanation: Time words: First (Q) → Next (S) → Then (P) → Finally (R).
Q4. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. However, it also has some serious drawbacks. Q. Technology has made our lives easier. R. For example, people spend less time with family. S. We can shop, study and work from home. Practice
Correct answer: (A) QSPR
Explanation: Q introduces the topic; S gives benefits; P 'However' contrasts; R exemplifies the drawback.
Explanation: Q introduces the topic; S gives benefits; P 'However' contrasts; R exemplifies the drawback.
Q5. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. the old woman Q. slowly crossed R. the busy road S. with the help of a policeman Practice
Correct answer: (C) PQRS
Explanation: Subject (P) + verb (Q) + object (R) + manner (S).
Explanation: Subject (P) + verb (Q) + object (R) + manner (S).
Q6. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. A boy found a wallet on the road. Q. The owner thanked him and offered a reward. R. He took it to the nearest police station. S. But the boy politely refused it. Practice
Correct answer: (A) PRQS
Explanation: 'A boy' opens; 'He took it' (R); the owner thanked him (Q); 'But … refused' follows the reward (S).
Explanation: 'A boy' opens; 'He took it' (R); the owner thanked him (Q); 'But … refused' follows the reward (S).
Q7. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. because it was raining heavily Q. the match R. was postponed S. to the next day Practice
Correct answer: (D) QRSP
Explanation: Subject (Q) + verb (R) + 'to the next day' (S) + reason (P).
Explanation: Subject (Q) + verb (R) + 'to the next day' (S) + reason (P).
Q8. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. This made him very popular among the poor. Q. He spent most of his wealth on charity. R. Seth Govind Das was a rich merchant. S. Even today people remember his generosity. Practice
Correct answer: (B) RQPS
Explanation: R introduces the name; Q 'He spent'; P 'This' refers to charity; S 'Even today' ends it.
Explanation: R introduces the name; Q 'He spent'; P 'This' refers to charity; S 'Even today' ends it.
Q9. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. of the country Q. Delhi is R. and political capital S. the administrative Practice
Correct answer: (D) QSRP
Explanation: Delhi is (Q) the administrative (S) and political capital (R) of the country (P).
Explanation: Delhi is (Q) the administrative (S) and political capital (R) of the country (P).
Q10. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. As a result, many species are losing their habitat. Q. Forests are being cleared for farming and cities. R. Governments must therefore protect forest land. S. Some of them may soon become extinct. Practice
Correct answer: (B) QPSR
Explanation: Cause (Q) → 'As a result' (P) → 'Some of them' = species (S) → 'therefore' solution (R).
Explanation: Cause (Q) → 'As a result' (P) → 'Some of them' = species (S) → 'therefore' solution (R).
Q11. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. a letter Q. yesterday R. I wrote S. to my uncle Practice
Correct answer: (C) RPSQ
Explanation: I wrote (R) a letter (P) to my uncle (S) yesterday (Q).
Explanation: I wrote (R) a letter (P) to my uncle (S) yesterday (Q).
Q12. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. Gandhiji returned from South Africa in 1915. Q. He soon became the leader of the freedom struggle. R. There he had fought against racial discrimination. S. In India, he launched several mass movements. Practice
Correct answer: (A) PRSQ
Explanation: P (return); R 'There' = South Africa; S movements in India; Q leadership follows.
Explanation: P (return); R 'There' = South Africa; S movements in India; Q leadership follows.
Q13. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. Therefore, we should drink plenty of water. Q. It also helps in removing waste from the body. R. Water is essential for life. S. It regulates body temperature. Practice
Correct answer: (B) RSQP
Explanation: R topic; S 'It regulates'; Q 'It also' adds; P 'Therefore' concludes.
Explanation: R topic; S 'It regulates'; Q 'It also' adds; P 'Therefore' concludes.
Q14. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. has been Q. the population of India R. growing rapidly S. since independence Practice
Correct answer: (D) QPRS
Explanation: Subject (Q) + has been (P) + growing rapidly (R) + since independence (S).
Explanation: Subject (Q) + has been (P) + growing rapidly (R) + since independence (S).
Q15. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. The car, however, was badly damaged. Q. A truck hit a car on the highway. R. The driver of the car escaped unhurt. S. Police reached the spot within minutes. Practice
Correct answer: (A) QRPS
Explanation: Q introduces 'a car'; R the driver escaped; P 'however' contrasts the damage; S police arrived.
Explanation: Q introduces 'a car'; R the driver escaped; P 'however' contrasts the damage; S police arrived.
Q16. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. is the key Q. hard work R. to success S. in any field Practice
Correct answer: (C) QPRS
Explanation: Hard work (Q) is the key (P) to success (R) in any field (S).
Explanation: Hard work (Q) is the key (P) to success (R) in any field (S).
Q17. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. Soon, a big crowd gathered there. Q. A snake charmer came to our village. R. He began to play his flute. S. The snake swayed to the music. Practice
Correct answer: (B) QRPS
Explanation: Q intro; R 'He began to play'; P a crowd gathered; S the snake swayed.
Explanation: Q intro; R 'He began to play'; P a crowd gathered; S the snake swayed.
Q18. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. she never refuses Q. though she is poor R. anyone who asks for help S. she is kind-hearted and Practice
Correct answer: (C) QSPR
Explanation: Though she is poor (Q), she is kind-hearted and (S) she never refuses (P) anyone who asks for help (R).
Explanation: Though she is poor (Q), she is kind-hearted and (S) she never refuses (P) anyone who asks for help (R).
Q19. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. Vaccines train the immune system to fight diseases. Q. Thanks to vaccines, smallpox has been eradicated. R. They contain weakened or inactive germs. S. The body learns to recognise these germs. Practice
Correct answer: (D) PRSQ
Explanation: P topic; R 'They contain'; S 'these germs'; Q result 'Thanks to vaccines'.
Explanation: P topic; R 'They contain'; S 'these germs'; Q result 'Thanks to vaccines'.
Q20. Rearrange the parts P, Q, R, S to form a meaningful paragraph/sentence. P. The meeting began on time. Q. After a long discussion, a decision was taken. R. The chairman welcomed all the members. S. Then the main agenda was taken up. Practice
Correct answer: (A) PRSQ
Explanation: Began (P) → welcome (R) → Then agenda (S) → decision after discussion (Q).
Explanation: Began (P) → welcome (R) → Then agenda (S) → decision after discussion (Q).