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CDS English · Sentence Rearrangement

Fix the ends, then strike options

Decide which part can start the sentence and which can end it, lock one pair inside, strike the options that break them, and read the one that survives.

All Sentence Rearrangement notes

Why this matters

This is the full routine for a PQRS item, built from the moves on the earlier pages. The ends are the fastest place to begin: only one or two parts can open a sentence, and a part that ends on a preposition, 'and' or a helping verb can never close it. Fixing one end usually strikes two options before you read a single full sentence.

Concept 1 of 2: Continue the given opening

Sometimes the first words of the sentence are printed before P. They are fixed. Ask what those words need next, and the first part is usually decided at once.

Definition

The terms:

  • Fixed opening: the words printed before the jumbled parts. The sentence must start with them: 'The doctor', 'We do not know when'.

The method:

  • Read the fixed opening and ask what it needs next.
  • A noun phrase (The doctor, Children) needs its verb, or a who-clause about it.
  • An unfinished clause (We do not know when, One of the difficulties) needs the rest of that clause.
  • Find the part that supplies it. That is the first part. Strike every option that does not start with it.
  • Then use the earlier moves on the rest: verb and object, preposition and object, and like with like.

Worked example

The sentence begins: 'The new recruits'. P: before they are sent to their units / Q: must complete / R: of basic training / S: six months. Options: (a) QSRP (b) SRQP (c) QRSP (d) RQSP
Practice this conceptself-check · 3 quick reps

The same idea in a real exam question:

CDS · 2018 · CDS (II) 2018 — English · Q82Moderate

Example 1 · Sentence Rearrangement · Opening and Closing Parts (PQRS)

Directions: rearrange jumbled parts P,Q,R,S into a sentence
The government P: and job markets Q: must offer convincing solutions R: to the crises in the rural economy S: that are causing social ferment

Ignoring the fixed opening

An order can read well on its own and still not join the printed words. Always read the fixed opening aloud with the first part before you check anything else.

Missing what the opening ends on

A fixed opening that ends on a comma, 'when' or 'that' is unfinished. 'We do not know when' needs a clause with its own subject and verb next, not a time phrase.

Stopping after the first part

Two options may start with the same part. The next link decides, so carry on with the earlier moves until one option is left.
Drill 9 more on continue the given opening

Concept 2 of 2: No opening given: find the first and last part

With no fixed opening, look at both ends. Few parts can open a sentence, and even fewer can close it. Fix one end, strike the options that disagree, and the rest takes seconds.

Definition

The terms:

  • Strike options: cross out every option that breaks an end or a pair you have fixed. You rarely need to build the sentence from scratch.
  • End punctuation: a question mark, full stop or comma at the end of a part. A part with ? or a full stop must come last; a part ending in a comma cannot.

The method:

  • Find the part that can open: a subject, a question word (how, why), a linker clause (though, if) or a time phrase. A part that starts with a verb, of, and, which or but also cannot open.
  • Find the part that can close: one with end punctuation, or a finished phrase. A part that ends on a preposition, an article, 'and' or a helping verb cannot close.
  • Strike the options that open or close with the wrong part. Usually one or two survive.
  • If two survive, lock one inside pair (subject and verb, preposition and object) to choose between them.
  • Read the survivor from start to end. It must be one sentence that makes sense.

Worked example

Arrange the parts into one sentence. P: the safety of / Q: the first duty of / R: every soldier is / S: his comrades. Options: (a) QRPS (b) PSQR (c) QPRS (d) RSQP
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps

The same idea in a real exam question:

CDS · 2021 · CDS (I) 2021 — English · Q38Moderate

Example 2 · Sentence Rearrangement · Opening and Closing Parts (PQRS)

Directions: rearrange jumbled parts P Q R S of the sentence
P: from the scientists? Q: is the information R: that comes S: how important

Building the sentence from scratch

Trying every order of four parts wastes time. Fix one end, strike options, and read only the one or two that survive.

Missing the punctuation

A question mark or a full stop at the end of a part decides the last part outright. A comma means the part cannot be last. Look at the punctuation before you read the words.

Trusting the ends alone

Two options can share both the first and the last part. Then lock a pair inside and read both survivors in full before you choose.
Drill 20 more on no opening given: find the first and last part

Summary — formulas & gotchas at a glance

A revision cheat-sheet for the formulas and gotchas above. Click any concept name to jump back to its full explanation.

Watch out for (6)

Test yourself on Sentence Rearrangement

20 past CDS questions from this chapter, timed at 20 minutes and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.

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