Question:medium

Five jumbled up sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd sentence and key in the number of that sentence as your answer.

Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • Although hard skills have traditionally ruled the roost, some companies are moving away from choosing prospective hires based on technical abilities alone.
  • Companies are shaking off the old definition of an ideal candidate and ditching the idea of looking for the singularly perfect candidate altogether.
  • Now, some job descriptions are frequently asking for candidates to demonstrate soft skills, such as leadership or teamwork.
  • That's not to say that practical know-how is no longer required - some jobs still call for highly specific expertise
  • The move towards prioritising soft skills "is a natural response to three years of the pandemic" says a senior recruiter at Cenlar FSB.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

To identify the sentence that deviates from the paragraph's main subject and progression, examine the thematic connections and logical sequence of each statement:

  • Sentence 1: Establishes the premise of companies re-prioritizing hiring criteria away from technical proficiencies towards alternative factors.
  • Sentence 3: Corroborates this trend by detailing the increased inclusion of interpersonal competencies, such as leadership and collaboration, in job specifications.
  • Sentence 4: Presents a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that specialized knowledge remains a prerequisite for certain roles, thereby reaffirming the evolving hiring landscape without negating the value of technical skills.
  • Sentence 5: Attributes the catalyst for this shift to the influence of the pandemic, grounding the observed changes within a tangible environmental context.
  • Sentence 2: Addresses the discontinuation of the "perfect candidate" archetype, a concept that lacks a direct correlation to the dichotomy of hard versus soft skills presented by the other sentences.

Deduction: Statements 1, 3, 4, and 5 collectively construct a coherent discourse focused on the increasing significance of soft skills in professional recruitment. Statement 2, despite its relevance to the broader field of hiring, diverges from this central theme and interrupts the established coherence.

Determination: Sentence 2 is the extraneous element.

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The passage given below is followed by four summaries. Choose the option that best captures the essence of the passage.
In the dynamic realm of creativity, artists often find themselves at the crossroads between drawing inspiration from diverse cultures and inadvertently crossing into the territory of cultural appropriation. Inspiration is the lifeblood of creativity, driving artists to create works that resonate across borders. In a globalized era of the modern world, artists draw from a vast array of cultural influences. When approached respectfully, inspiration becomes a bridge, fostering understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. However, the line between inspiration and cultural appropriation can be thin and easily blurred.
Cultural appropriation occurs when elements from a particular culture are borrowed without proper understanding, respect, or acknowledgment. This leads to the commodification of sacred symbols, the reinforcement of stereotypes, and the erasure of the cultural context from which these elements originated. It is essential to recognize that the impact of cultural appropriation extends beyond the realm of artistic expression, influencing societal perceptions and perpetuating power imbalances.
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