Tips and Tricks to Solve Para-Jumble Questions for CAT Exam

Most of us are enticed to attempt Para-jumble/sentence completion questions in the CAT exam/Mock CAT. However, we often end up being confused between two choices and select the wrong option. Despite this, these types of questions can be very scoring and consume less time compared to a Reading Comprehension (RC) passage. Therefore, let me provide some tips and tricks that might help you in solving these questions effectively.

Firstly, try to understand the purpose behind the paragraph. For instance, when the purpose is to explain something, the author would start with a general approach and progress towards a more specific reference. When the purpose is to raise awareness, the author would present information to bring the issue into focus. When the purpose is to raise anxiety or concern, the author would focus on the issue and present the reasons for concern. When the purpose is to present solutions, the author would explain the problem and provide possible rectifications or solutions. When the purpose is to surprise or amaze, the statement of surprise would be presented first followed by the explanation behind the surprise. By recognizing the purpose, you can identify the opening sentence, closing sentence, or clear link between two sentences in Para-Jumble Questions (PJQs).

To solve these questions accurately, you can use a combination of recognizing the thought flow, grammatical connectives, and elimination techniques. By evaluating the choices and considering the thought flow and context of the paragraph, you can arrive at the correct formation. This approach is also applicable for paragraph completion questions, where you need to spot intermediate or last sentences. For identifying last sentences, choose the line that effectively concludes the thought-flow and discussion.

In addition to recognizing thought flow, there are certain indicators that can help you identify the purpose or tone of the paragraph. Words like “Introduction,” “Conclusion,” “Comparison Indicators,” “Contrast Indicators,” “Additional Information Indicators,” “Sequence Indicators,” and “Cause and Effect” can guide you in understanding the structure of the paragraph.

To effectively solve Para-Jumble Questions for the CAT Exam, follow these guidelines:

1. Form a mandatory pair: Identify the set of statements that seem to come one after the other. Look for antecedents of pronouns, linking words, chronological order, or logical relationships to form a mandatory pair.
2. Identify an obvious opener: Look for statements that can serve as a good starting point for the jumble. Avoid statements that carry forward, create a contradiction, or conclude a line of thought.
3. Obvious conclusion: Identify statements that should come at the end, usually marked by conclusive words.
4. Logical flow: Analyze the logical flow of ideas and identify the correct sequence.
5. Make use of options: If you are unsure about the topic or introductory sentence, refer to the options. Look for patterns or sequences that make sense.

These tips should be sufficient for CAT exam. However, be aware that some questions may fall under the very hard category, particularly if they are taken from abstract topics. In such cases, it is best to skip the question and move on to the next one. Keep in mind that CAT also tests your judgment in question selection.