Which of the given options arranges the following sentences in the most logical sequence to form a meaningful paragraph?
1. By 476 CE, the last Roman emperor was deposed, marking the traditional end of the Western Roman Empire.
2. Political instability, economic decline, and military overextension weakened the empire's control.
3. The Roman Empire, once a dominant force in the ancient world, began to decline due to internal and external pressures.
4. Barbarian invasions, particularly the sacking of Rome in 410 CE, accelerated the empire's downfall.
5. However, the Eastern Roman Empire, known as the Byzantine Empire, continued to thrive for centuries.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
Sequence
This paragraph follows a "General Introduction → Causes → Specific Events → Conclusion" structure:
Sentence 3 (Introduction): "The Roman Empire, once a dominant force in the ancient world, began to decline..."
Sentence 2 (Internal Causes): "Political instability, economic decline, and military overextension weakened the empire's control."
Sentence 4 (External Event - 410 CE): "Barbarian invasions, particularly the sacking of Rome in 410 CE, accelerated the empire's downfall."
Sentence 1 (The Final End - 476 CE): "By 476 CE, the last Roman emperor was deposed
Sentence 5 (Contrast/Aftermath): "However, the Eastern Roman Empire... continued to thrive for centuries."