Which of the given options is the most logical sequencing of the following sentences to form a meaningful paragraph?
1. It cut off oxygen and prevented the usual decay caused by air, moisture, and bacteria.
2. The excavation of Pompeii provided a remarkably well-preserved glimpse into life in ancient Rome.
3. When the eruption occurred, a thick layer of hot ash and pumice rapidly buried the town.
4. Unlike other ruins, Pompeii remained frozen in time due to Mount Vesuvius' sudden eruption.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: D
Explanation
The most logical sequence for these sentences is 2-4-3-1.
Explanation:
Sentence 2 (Introduction): This sentence introduces the main subject—the excavation of Pompeii—and establishes its significance as a well-preserved glimpse into ancient Rome.
Sentence 4 (Context): This sentence explains why it is well-preserved compared to other ruins, attributing it to the sudden eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
Sentence 3 (The Event): This provides the specific detail of the eruption, describing how a thick layer of ash and pumice rapidly buried the town.
Sentence 1 (The Result): This concludes the paragraph by explaining the chemical/physical result of that burial—cutting off oxygen to prevent decay—which brings the reader back to the "well-preserved" theme mentioned in the introduction.