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SPI English · Sentence Rearrangement

Linkers and the None Option

Joining 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.

All Sentence Rearrangement notes

Why this matters

Four questions in the bank, all MODERATE, two from the 2022 paper. They are longer sentences held together by a contrast or a condition, and one of them has its right order missing from the options, so the answer is 'None of these'.

Concept 1 of 2: Joining words show the order

A joining word tells you what kind of link the two ideas have. 'But' and 'yet' turn against what came before, so the idea they turn against must come first. Read the link, and the two halves fall into place.

Definition

  • but, yet, though: a contrast. The part that starts with them follows the idea it contrasts with.
  • when, while, as: two things at the same time. They join a second event to a main one.
  • even if, although: a condition or a surprise. The part can lead the sentence or follow the main idea.
  • not only ... but also: always in that order, and the two halves are the same kind of thing.
  • because, so: a reason and a result. 'Because' brings the reason; 'so' brings the result.

Worked example

Rearrange: P: but the shops were closed / Q: we reached the market / R: because it was a holiday / S: early in the morning
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps

The same idea in a real exam question:

SPI · 2022 · SPI Entrance Examination 2022 · Q148Moderate

Example 1 · Sentence Rearrangement · Linkers and the None Option

The next five questions consist of a sentence, the parts of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four alternatives. You are required to rearrange the jumbled sentence and select your response from the given alternative. If the correct alternative is not there, in that case choose option (d) None of these.
he wished he was anywhere else but in that train compartment [P]/ yet the weather and company which Mr Ritesh Vasudev [Q] / had to bear with, not only made him feel sick but also [R] / the journey by itself was neither too long nor too boring [S].

Putting 'but' or 'yet' first

A part that starts with 'but' or 'yet' answers an idea already given. It cannot be the first part of the sentence.

Reversing reason and result

'Because' introduces the reason and 'so' the result. Swapping them gives a sentence that says the effect caused the cause.

Splitting 'not only' from its noun

The two halves of 'not only ... but also' must be the same kind of thing: two actions, or two nouns. A half that does not match its partner is in the wrong place.
Drill 2 more on joining words show the order

Concept 2 of 2: Check the options before choosing None of these

Build the sentence yourself first, then look for your order among the options. If it is not there, and your order reads correctly, the answer is 'None of these'. Do not change a good order to fit a printed one.

Definition

The method:

  • Work out the order from the opener, the glued pairs and the joining words.
  • Read your sentence aloud in your head. It must make sense and be grammatical.
  • Cut options fast by their first letter and by any pair you are sure of.
  • If your order is printed, mark it. If not, test the printed orders once: if each one breaks a pair or a link, choose None of these.
  • In the 2022 paper the instructions say: if the correct order is not given, choose (d) None of these.

Worked example

Rearrange: P: who was hungry / Q: the little boy / R: ate all the bread / S: on the table. Options: (a) QRPS (b) PQRS (c) QPSR (d) None of these
Practice this conceptself-check · 4 quick reps

The same idea in a real exam question:

SPI · 2022 · SPI Entrance Examination 2022 · Q150Moderate

Example 2 · Sentence Rearrangement · Linkers and the None Option

The next five questions consist of a sentence, the parts of which have been jumbled. These parts have been labelled P, Q, R and S. Given below each sentence are four alternatives. You are required to rearrange the jumbled sentence and select your response from the given alternative. If the correct alternative is not there, in that case choose option (d) None of these.
to have some malfunction [P]/ when the first officer noticed an emergency light going off [Q]/ the aeroplane was about to take off [R]/ indicating that the left engine was suspected[S]

Forcing the nearest option

If your order is right and not printed, the answer is 'None of these'. Picking an option that is one swap away from yours costs the mark.

Choosing None of these too quickly

Some sentences can be built in two good orders. Before marking 'None of these', check whether a printed option is a second correct order.

Not reading the instructions

The option (d) may be an ordinary order in one set of questions and 'None of these' in another. Read what the options say before you answer.

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 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.

Sit an SPI past paperDrill all 4 questions