SPI English · Free notes
Sentence Rearrangement: SPI English
Sentence Rearrangement has 10 questions in the SPI bank, five of them from the 2022 paper, and each is one sentence cut into four parts labelled P, Q, R and S. Half are EASY and half MODERATE, and none needs a hard word: the order is fixed by grammar. Find the part that can open the sentence, glue the parts whose words must sit together, and let the joining words settle the rest. Then check the options, because one question from the 2022 paper has its right order missing.
The handout has every subtopic, worked example, formula and trap with answers shown.
Subtopic notes
Opening Part and Word Pairs
6 questionsA jumbled sentence is rebuilt in two moves: find the part that can open it, then join the parts whose words must sit side by side.
Linkers and the None Option
4 questionsJoining words such as but, yet, while and even if show which idea comes first, and the right order is checked against every printed option before 'None of these' is chosen.
Formula & revision sheet
0 formulas · 12 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formula & revision sheet
0 formulas · 12 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Watch out for (6)
- Opening with a joining word→ Find the part that opens the sentence
- Stopping at the opener→ Find the part that opens the sentence
- Splitting a long subject→ Find the part that opens the sentence
- Leaving a preposition hanging→ Words that must sit side by side
- Putting 'who' after the wrong noun→ Words that must sit side by side
- A pronoun with nothing to point to→ Words that must sit side by side
Watch out for (6)
- Putting 'but' or 'yet' first→ Joining words show the order
- Reversing reason and result→ Joining words show the order
- Splitting 'not only' from its noun→ Joining words show the order
- Forcing the nearest option→ Check the options before choosing None of these
- Choosing None of these too quickly→ Check the options before choosing None of these
- Not reading the instructions→ Check the options before choosing None of these
Question weightage by concept
4 concepts · 10 questions — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
Question weightage by concept
4 concepts · 10 questions — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
| Concept | Qs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Find the part that opens the sentence | 3 | 30% |
| Words that must sit side by side | 3 | 30% |
| Concept | Qs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Joining words show the order | 3 | 30% |
| Check the options before choosing None of these | 1 | 10% |
Test yourself on a real paper
Sit a past SPI paper, timed and marked the way the exam marks it. You see your score and every answer the moment you finish. Free to start.