Question

Arrange the following sentences in a LOGICAL sequence:
1. In America, primary-age pupils are on average five months behind where they would usually be in maths, and four months in reading, according to McKinsey, a consultancy. 
2. As a new school year gets under way in many countries, the harm caused by months of closure is becoming ever clearer. 
3. The crisis will accelerate that trend. 
4. The damage is almost certainly worse in places such as India and Mexico, where the disruption to schooling has been greater. 
5. Even before pandemic, parents around the world were growing more willing to pay for extra lessons in the hope of boosting their children’s education.

• A. 3,5,2,4,1
• B. 2,1,4,5,3
• C. 5,1,3,2,4
• D. 5,3,2,1,4
• E. 2,3,1,4,5

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To arrange the sentences in a logical sequence, we need to understand the flow of information and how each sentence connects to the others. Let's analyze each sentence:

1. Sentence 2: "As a new school year gets under way in many countries, the harm caused by months of closure is becoming ever clearer." - This introduces the topic of school closures and the resulting harm, making it a logical starting point.
2. Sentence 1: "In America, primary-age pupils are on average five months behind where they would usually be in maths, and four months in reading, according to McKinsey, a consultancy." - This provides specific details from America, reinforcing the consequences of school closures mentioned in Sentence 2.
3. Sentence 4: "The damage is almost certainly worse in places such as India and Mexico, where the disruption to schooling has been greater." - This extends the discussion to other countries experiencing even worse effects, building on the idea from Sentence 1.
4. Sentence 5: "Even before the pandemic, parents around the world were growing more willing to pay for extra lessons in the hope of boosting their children’s education." - This introduces a pre-pandemic trend relevant to the context but follows after understanding the damage caused.
5. Sentence 3: "The crisis will accelerate that trend." - Concludes by linking the pre-existing trend from Sentence 5 to the current situation, indicating the pandemic will increase the demand for extra lessons.

Thus, the correct logical sequence is: 2, 1, 4, 5, 3.

Answer 2

To arrange sentences logically, we must find the flow of ideas — starting with a general statement, then moving into examples, comparisons, background, and finally, conclusion. 

1. Sentence 2 sets the context: the reopening of schools reveals the harm caused by closures. This is the natural starting point.
2. Sentence 1 provides a specific example (America) with statistics on how children have fallen behind.
3. Sentence 4 extends the idea, showing that the damage is even worse in other countries like India and Mexico.
4. Sentence 5 adds background context — even before the pandemic, parents were turning to extra lessons.
5. Sentence 3 concludes with the impact of the crisis — it will accelerate the trend of parents seeking extra lessons.

Logical Flow

General effect (2) → Example (1) → Worse effect elsewhere (4) → Pre-existing trend (5) → Crisis intensifies trend (3)

Key Takeaway

The passage follows a clear progression from context → evidence → comparison → background → conclusion. Hence, the correct sequence is 2, 1, 4, 5, 3.