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 doesn’t have. So the right answer is 3.Uttar Pradesh.

Ex.2)  A. Engineer B. Architect C. Mechanic D. Mason E. Blacksmith

Explanation – C. Mechanic is odd man out since he doesn’t 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 doesn't seem to convey the continuity to the thread of a complete thought, it should be placed as out of context sentence.

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