Question

The sentences as given below, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labeled as A, B, C, D and E. Choose the most logical order of sentences from among the given choices to construct a coherent paragraph.
A. To avoid this, the QWERTY layout put the keys most likely to be hit in rapid succession on opposite sides. This made the keyboard slow, the story goes, but that was the idea.
B. A different layout, which had been patented by August Dvorak in 1936, was shown to be much faster.
C. The QWERTY design (patented by Christopher Sholes in 1868 and sold to Remington in 1873) aimed to solve a mechanical problem of early typewriters.
D. Yet the Dvorak layout has never been widely adopted, even though (with electric typewriters and then PCs) the anti-jamming rational for QWERTY has been defunct for years.
E. When certain combinations of keys were struck quickly, the type bars often jammed.

• A. CEABD
• B. CAEBD
• C. CBAED
• D. ECABD
• E. ABDCE

Hint:

N/A

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

To solve this sentence rearrangement problem, we need to determine the logical flow of ideas to form a coherent paragraph. Let’s analyze the provided sentences:

1. Sentence C introduces the QWERTY design created by Christopher Sholes to solve an early mechanical problem in typewriters.
2. Sentence E explains the specific mechanical problem: the jamming of type bars when keys were struck in rapid succession.
3. Sentence A describes the QWERTY layout solution, spreading keys likely to be pressed in rapid succession to prevent jamming, even though it slowed typing speed.
4. Sentence B contrasts this with a different layout by August Dvorak, which is faster.
5. Sentence D concludes by stating that despite the advantages of the Dvorak layout, it was never widely adopted, even when the reason for the QWERTY layout (anti-jamming) became obsolete.

Based on the logical flow, the most coherent order of sentences is CEABD:

1. C: Introduces the QWERTY design and its purpose.
2. E: Details the typewriter jamming problem being resolved.
3. A: Explains how QWERTY specifically addressed the jamming issue.
4. B: Introduces an alternative, faster layout by Dvorak.
5. D: Discusses the non-adoption of the Dvorak layout, despite its advantages post-mechanical issues.

This order effectively introduces the problem, describes the QWERTY solution, compares it to an alternative, and addresses the historical outcome.