Given below are six sentences taken from a paragraph. The first and the last sentences are numbered S1 and S2 and are placed in the first and last positions respectively. The other four sentences between the first and last sentences are jumbled up and are numbered A, B, C, and D. Rearrange the jumbled sentences in a logical sequence keeping the unity and coherence of the paragraph intact.
Choose the correct alternative that best describes the sequence.
S1. He surveyed the way over to the terrace from which the archers had fired.
A. Going to the side of the bridge, he judged distances and how difficult it would be to reach that terrace, drew the Blades of Athena, and then leaped into space.
B. The archers had to be guarding something important.
C. That provided him as good a direction to explore as any.
D. And if he approached cautiously enough, he might find a way to declare his intentions of speaking with the Sisters of Fate so he would not have to fight his way through a phalanx of other guards.
S2. The blades dug into the ornate stonework facing the palace wall.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
S2: "The blades dug into the ornate stonework..."
The sentence immediately preceding S2 must mention the blades or the act of jumping toward the wall. Sentence ‘A’ ends with him leaping into space and mentions the "Blades of Athena." Therefore, ‘A’ must be the last sentence in the jumbled sequence.
Since ‘A’ is the last sentence (linking to S2), we look for an option ending in A.
Option D: CBDA
S1: Surveys the terrace.
C: That terrace provided as good a direction as any. (Links "terrace" in S1 to "direction" in C).
B: He thinks they are guarding something.
D: He thinks about approaching cautiously.
A: He leaps.
S2: The blades dig in.
CBDA is the correct sequence.