The question below consists of a set of labelled parts of a sentence. Out of the four options given, select the most logical order of the parts which form a coherent sentence.
Plastic bags those
P : polluting them and
Q : reach the soil and water bodies,
R : are not disposed of properly,
S : damaging dependent lives

Appeared in: DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

The sentence logically begins with the subject 'Plastic bags'.
Part 'R' ('are not disposed of properly,') acts as a relative clause that defines which plastic bags are being discussed. This is the most logical starting point after the subject.
Part 'Q' ('reach the soil and water bodies,') follows as the main action or consequence of the improper disposal mentioned in 'R'.
Parts 'P' ('polluting them and') and 'S' ('damaging dependent lives') are participial phrases that describe the results of the action in 'Q'.
To form a grammatically correct parallel structure, 'P' must come before 'S', creating the cohesive phrase '...polluting them and damaging dependent lives.'.
Therefore, the only logical and grammatically sound sequence is RQPS.

Option A: This sequence is illogical. It states that plastic bags reach the soil (Q) and then mentions they are not disposed of properly (R). The cause (improper disposal) should precede the effect (reaching the environment).
Option B: This sequence is grammatically incorrect. It ends with '...damaging dependent lives polluting them and'. The conjunction 'and' is left hanging, and the phrase 'polluting them' is misplaced.
Option C: This is a duplicate of the first option and is incorrect for the same reason. The cause-and-effect relationship is inverted, making the sentence illogical.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Sentence Rearrangement as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
This is a general English question, not a clinical one.
Strong command of language is crucial for nurses for accurate and clear medical charting, patient education, and effective communication with the healthcare team.
Misplaced clauses or incorrect sentence structure in a patient's notes could lead to misinterpretation of clinical information, potentially affecting patient care.

How to Approach the Question

First, read all the jumbled parts to get a general idea of the topic, which is the environmental impact of plastic bags.
Identify the most likely starting part of the predicate. The sentence begins with 'Plastic bags'. Part 'R' ('are not disposed of properly') logically follows to specify which bags are being discussed.
Look for cause-and-effect relationships. The improper disposal ('R') leads to the bags reaching soil and water ('Q'). So, R must come before Q.
Identify phrases that describe results or consequences. 'P' and 'S' describe the impact of pollution.
Check for grammatical links. Part 'P' ends with 'and', which means it must connect to a parallel idea. 'polluting them and damaging dependent lives' ('P' followed by 'S') forms a correct parallel structure.
Combine the parts in the identified order (RQPS) and read the complete sentence to confirm it is logical and grammatically correct.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qhp82ME4798nbEIQfR7AFM

Practise the full DSSSB - 29 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.