Which of the given options arranges the following sentences in the most logical sequence to form a meaningful paragraph?
1. Therefore, massive conservation efforts are required to protect it.
2. However, deforestation is a major threat to this ecosystem.
3. It is home to millions of plant and animal species.
4. The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest on Earth.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
4-3-2-1
Explanation
The question asks you to arrange four jumbled sentences into a logical paragraph. You can solve this quickly by identifying the independent opening topic sentence and linking connecting words.
Let's break down the logic of the correct sequence:
Sentence 4 is the only independent sentence that introduces a brand new topic with complete context: "The Amazon rainforest is the largest rainforest on Earth." It establishes the specific subject of the paragraph, making it the perfect opening sentence.
Sentence 3 opens with the pronoun "It", which directly refers back to the noun introduced in the first sentence (The Amazon rainforest): "It is home to millions of plant and animal species." This smoothly builds on the description of the rainforest, establishing a mandatory pair of (4-3).
Sentence 2 introduces a contrasting problem using the transition word "However": "However, deforestation is a major threat to this ecosystem." This shifts the tone of the paragraph from describing the rainforest's beauty to introducing a severe threat to it.
Sentence 1 starts with the concluding word "Therefore": "Therefore, massive conservation efforts are required to protect it." Concluding transition words represent the final logical resolution or solution to a problem raised previously (the threat of deforestation). This makes it the ideal closing line.
Putting it all together, the sentences follow a clear narrative arc: Introduction -> Elaboration -> Threat -> Solution. This gives us the seamless sequence: 4-3-2-1, which corresponds to Option 2.
Key Points
When dealing with sentence rearrangements on exams, remember that transition words like "However" signaling contrast always belong immediately after the positive facts they are meant to disrupt.
Identifying the concluding word "Therefore" right away allows you to lock down the final sentence of the paragraph instantly, saving you valuable time during a test.