While Solving Para Jumbles

 You must follow the general to specific rule, which means you should move from an
introductory sentence to the one which shares details. Try to find a sentence which
introduces a topic or person or idea. Let this be your opening sentence.

 Also, try to find the closing sentence which will generally be a concluding statement. It
will not introduce a new idea but conclude what has already been mentioned.

 Another trick which is really helpful in solving Para Jumbles is to make mandatory pairs.

 Mandatory pairs are those sentences which necessarily come together. The key to solving
Para- jumble questions is to identify these connected pairs of statements.

To identify a mandatory pair, you must look out for:

 Nouns and pronouns reference: Nouns or subjects mentioned in a statement can be

replaced by a pronoun in the next statement. Always be on the lookout for such pairs.

 Subject similarities: Two statements based on the subject form a pair

 Time sequences: Generally, if a given set of statements bears a reference to time-based

events, ensure that you maintain a particular order that is past-present-future or vice-versa.

 Transition words like ‘as, also, as well as, besides, furthermore, in addition, likewise,
moreover, similarly, consequently, hence, for one thing, above all, aside from, besides, in
other words, instead, likewise, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, meanwhile, next,
then, soon, in conclusion, after all, all in all, to sum up.

Even the most difficult para-jumbles have 2-3 sentences which form a link. Try to spot the link
which go together and eliminate options which do not have that link. ( PARA ODD ONE OUT)

 Watch out for adverbs like even, also, still, however, nevertheless, etc. Such adverbs help
link two or more sentences.

 Conjunctions are those parts of speech which are used to join two or more sentences.
Beware of conjunctions like as soon as, as though, because, before, in order that, since,
unless, until, when, whenever, where, whereas, wherever, and while. Also keep an eye on
coordinating conjunctions such as for, and, nor, but, or, yet and so.
Watch out for pronouns. Ideally, a pronoun in one sentence always points to a noun in the
sentence immediately preceding it.

Where Articles are concerned, ‘A’ or ‘An’ being indefinite articles may be used in the opening
statement, while ‘The’ being a definite article (more specific) is less likely to be used in an
opening statement. Pronouns like ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘they’ will also help guide you through the
sequence of the paragraph. Comparative adjectives are generally used in relation to another
statement, thus helping you pick out the subsequent statement.

The recognition of thought flow and context would also help them in summaries and in cloze
passages.

CLOZE PASSAGE – when you have the 1st and 6thsentence….in the question

Some words as indicators:

 Introduction – A, An, Nowadays, Beginning.

 Conclusion – Clearly, Thus, Therefore, Eventually, Finally.

 Comparison Indicators – Similarly, Likewise.

 Contrast Indicators – On the one hand, But, Yet, However, Nevertheless, Although.

 Additional Information Indicators – Also, Additionally.

 Sequence Indicators – Firstly, Secondly, Thirdly, Lastly.

 Cause and Effect – Due to, as, since.

To revise, a broad approach in solving Para-Jumble Questions would be:

 Read the sentences and try to understand the message of the paragraph.

 Identify the topic and theme. Eg. Topic – Inflation (general); Theme –Congress
responsible for Inflation (Specific)

 Quickly identify the tone (emotional aspect of the paragraph) and style (manner of
writing)
  Look for crucial clues or linking words, mandatory pairs, Introductory statement or
Conclusion statement as discussed earlier.

Take the help of the options to solve the question. ( IF GIVEN)

Additionsl guidelines for solving Para-jumbles:

1. Forming a mandatory pair: Mandatory pair is a set of statements which seem to come one after
the other. Whenever you sense a mandatory pair, just look at the choices. If only one choice has
the pair, that might be the answer. But obviously if more than one choice has the same
mandatory pair then we should adapt some other tactics as follow:

a.) Pronoun – antecedent method: ( antecedent means … BEFORE)The noun that precedes a
pronoun is called antecedent to the pronoun. Let us take an example.

b.) Linking words: Whenever two sentences come one after the other, there is usually a word
which links them. If you can observe these links then you may be able to arrive at a mandatory
pair easily.

c.) Chronological order: Many times it is easy to form a mandatory pair based on Chronological
dates,words like “initially, then, later” etc. Most of the times these words appear at the start of
the lines.

d.) Logical relationships like cause effect: Many times mandatory pair can be identified by
logical flow of ideas/cause effect relationship. (Use your own examples/creativity to explain this)

2. Identifying an obvious opener or Topic sentence or introductory sentence or Lead sentence:

Here we are defining an obvious opener as one which can be a good starting point for the jumble.
An obvious opener could be one which seems like a relatively independent statement which
introduces something. It would normally not start with the following words.

a.) Carry forward words: Words like “and, so, moreover” which carry forward a line of thought
expressed in the earlier statement.
b.) Contrast words: Words like “but, however, nevertheless” which create a Contradiction with
the earlier line of thought.

c.) Conclusive words: Words like finally, thus, eventually etc. which conclude. If a particular
statement looks like a good starting point, then look at the choices to eliminate wrong options.

3. Obvious conclusion: If a particular statements looks like one which has to come at the end
then that is called an obvious conclusion. It usually happens when one of the conclusive words
comes in the sentence.

4. Logical flow: Even though 1 and 2 can provide good clues, many students are able to look at
the logical flow of ideas and crack the Para-jumble. 1 and 2 are tools which can supplement logic.

5. Make use of options: In case you cannot identify the Topic or Introductory sentence for
whatever reason (may be the text is difficult to comprehend or the Para-jumble is taken from the
middle of the passage); look at the options. If you can see a pattern in the choices then you can
sequence the statements based on the choices or see which of the choice sequence makes sense.

LINKING WORDS

Linking Words & Phrases In English

Connecting words and phrases in the English language is one area you will need to master, as
you are learning the language. The English language is difficult, but hopefully, this short article
will help you understand how to use linking words and phrases correctly.

WHEN WOULD YOU NEED TO CONNECT WORDS AND PHRASES IN ENGLISH?

Words and phrases need to be connected for a variety of reasons. For example, you may want to
make a comparison, contrast, show purpose or demonstrate condition. Most of the connectives,
words that form the connection, are used to join two clauses together or start a new sentence
expanding on the previous statement.

Linking Clauses Within A Sentence

The words included here are used when you want to join two parts of the sentence together.

Although/even though

Although she is old, she can still run far.

Even if

She is pretty and single, but even if she wasn’t pretty, she would still be single.

In case

You might want to take flat shoes; in case you want to dance later.

In spite of/despite

In spite of/despite the fact she was busy, she still made time to volunteer.

So that

He took a large umbrella so that if it rained, he wouldn’t get wet

Whatever

You can rely on me whatever happens.

Whereas

Samantha has a dog, whereas Billy does not.

Whenever

I would lend money to you whenever you need it.

Wherever

I will still care for you wherever you go.

Above are different word choices you may use when you are linking two parts (or clauses) of a
sentence. This list is by no means extensive and you may find other connectives that fit your
subject better. These are just a few examples to show you some different connectives and how
they can be used within a sentence.
Linking Two Separate Sentences

The linking words and phrases included here are used when you want to link two complete
sentences together. Remember, if a connective word starts the sentence it should be followed by
a comma. The words in this section will be grouped, as they can often be used in place of one
another.

As a result/Consequently/Furthermore

The company is growing. Consequently, there will be more jobs on offer.

Besides/Furthermore/In addition/More over

The holiday is too expensive. Besides, I don’t really want to go.

However/Nevertheless/Nonetheless( CONTRAST)

The shop was open. However, nobody came to the kiosk.

In the same way/ Likewise/ Similarly

I believe that teenagers are respectful. Similarly, research has shown this.

This table shows some common prepositions, conjunctions and adverbs used in academic writing.

 Language function Prepositions/ prepositional phrases (come before noun phrases)

Conjunctions (join two clauses in one sentence) Adverbs/Adverbial phrases
(join two sentences)

 Cause/effect because of, due to because as a result, therefore

 Opposition despite, in spite of but, although, even though however

 Contrast but whereas on the other hand

 Addition and furthermore, in addition, moreover

 Example such as for example

 Transition words are words that help connect or link ideas, phrases, sentences, or

 paragraphs. In order to make the CHANGE( sequence/theme/idea) easy for readers to

immediately jump from one idea to the next, transitions help to move smoothly through
the ideas .

 Transition words and usages……

 Agreement / Addition / Similarity

The transition words like also, in addition, and, likewise, add information, reinforce ideas,
and express agreement with preceding material.

 in the first place  by the same token  moreover

 not only ... but also  again  as well as

 as a matter of fact  to  together with

 in like manner  and  of course

 in addition  also  likewise

 coupled with  then  comparatively

 in the same fashion  equally  correspondingly

/ way
 identically  similarly
 first, second, third
 uniquely  furthermore
 in the light of
 like  additionally
 not to mention
 as
 to say nothing of
 too
 equally important

Opposition / Limitation / Contradiction

Transition phrases like but, rather and or, express that there is evidence to the contrary or
point out alternatives, and thus introduce a change the line of reasoning (contrast).
 • although this may • in reality • although
be true
• after all • instead
• in contrast
• but • whereas
• different from
• (and) still • despite
• of course ..., but
• unlike • conversely
• on the other hand
• or • otherwise
• on the contrary
• (and) yet • however
• at the same time
• while • rather
• in spite of
• albeit • nevertheless
• even so / though
• besides • nonetheless
• be that as it may
• as much as • regardless
• then again
• even though • notwithstanding
• above all

Cause / Condition / Purpose

These transitional phrases present specific conditions or intentions

• in the event that • unless •

• granted (that) • when •
• as / so long as • whenever • inasmuch as
• on (the) condition • while due to
(that) • because of
• for the purpose of • as
• with this intention • since
• with this in mind • while
• in the hope that • lest
• to the end that • in case
• for fear that • provided that
• in order to • given that
• seeing / being that • only / even if
• in view of • so that
• If • so as to
• ... then • owing to
Examples / Support / Emphasis
These transitional devices (like especially) are used to introduce examples as support, to
indicate importance or as an illustration so that an idea is cued to the reader.

• in other words • to point out • expressly

• to put it • on the positive • surprisingly

differently side
• frequently
• for one thing • on the negative
side • significantly
• as an illustration
• with this in mind • particularly
• in this case
• notably • in fact
• for this reason
• including • in general
• to put it another
way • like • in particular

• that is to say • to be sure • in detail

• with attention to • namely • for example

• by all means • chiefly • for instance

• important to • truly • to demonstrate

realize • to emphasize
• indeed
• another key point • to repeat
• certainly
• first thing to • to clarify
• surely
remember
• markedly • to explain
• most compelling
evidence • such as • to enumerate

• must be • especially
remembered
• explicitly
• point often
overlooked • specifically
Effect / Consequence / Result

Some of these transition words (thus, then, accordingly, consequently, therefore, henceforth)
are time words that are used to show that after a particular time there was a consequence or
an effect.

Note that for and because are placed before the cause/reason. The other devices are placed
before the consequences or effects.

• as a result • for • therefore

• under those • thus • thereupon

circumstances
• because the • forthwith
• in that case
• then • accordingly
• for this reason
• hence • henceforth
• in effect
• consequently

Conclusion / Summary / Restatement

These transition words and phrases conclude, summarize and / or restate ideas, or indicate a
final general statement. Also some words (like therefore) from the Effect /
Consequence category can be used to summarize.

• as can be seen • in a word • to summarize

• generally speaking • for the most part • on balance

• in the final • after all • altogether

analysis
• in fact • overall
• all things
• in summary • ordinarily
considered
• in conclusion • usually
• as shown above

• in the long run • in short • by and large

• given these points • in brief • to sum up

• as has been noted • in essence • on the whole

• in any event • all in all • Ultimately

• in either case • Obviously • Definitely