Rearrange the following sentences to form a coherent paragraph: 1. The most critical component is the central processing unit (CPU), which acts as the "brain" of the machine. 2. The architecture of a modern computer is a complex arrangement of various hardware and software components. 3. This complex interplay of components allows the computer to execute a wide range of tasks, from simple calculations to complex simulations. 4. The CPU works in tandem with memory, storage devices, and input/output peripherals to process data.
- (a)2, 1, 4, 3
- (b)1, 4, 2, 3
- (c)4, 3, 1, 2
- (d)3, 2, 1, 4
Answer
Why
Correct — A. Sentence 2 opens: it names the topic, the architecture of a modern computer, and points back to nothing.
1 follows: 'the most critical component' picks one out of the components 2 introduced, and spells out central processing unit (CPU).
4 continues with the CPU, now named by its short form, working with memory and storage.
3 closes: 'This complex interplay of components' sums up 2 to 4 → 2, 1, 4, 3, option (a).
Why the others are wrong
- (b)1, 4, 2, 3 — Opening with 1 leaves 'the most critical component' without the whole it belongs to — components of what? Sentence 2 must name them first.
- (c)4, 3, 1, 2 — Opening with 4 uses the short form CPU before sentence 1 spells out central processing unit, and puts the summing-up sentence, 3, second.
- (d)3, 2, 1, 4 — This complex interplay in sentence 3 points back to something, so it cannot open the paragraph. As an opener it refers to nothing.
Concept
In a parajumble, find the opener first: the sentence that names the topic and points back to nothing. Then chain the rest by their links — a set narrowed to one member, an acronym spelled out before it is used alone, a this phrase pointing back.
A sentence that sums up what came before, such as 'This complex interplay of components', belongs after the things it sums up.
Key facts
- An acronym is spelled out at first mention: central processing unit (CPU) in sentence 1, then CPU alone in sentence 4.
- 'The most critical component' picks one member from a set, so the set — the components in sentence 2 — must come first.
- 'This complex interplay of components' points back to earlier sentences, so it cannot open the paragraph.
Study next
Common traps
- Starting with 1 because the CPU is the most prominent idea — prominence is not the same as introduction.
- Missing the acronym clue: 4 uses CPU alone, so it must come after 1 spells it out.
The same opener check decides 14 Sep 2025, 09:00, English Q.25: the definition 'Food processing is a series of methods…' opens, and 'These methods' follows it.
Related PYQs
No directly related past PYQ was found.