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Para-jumble Sentences
Question 20:The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) below, when properly sequenced would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequencing of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer:
1. It advocated a conservative approach to antitrust enforcement that espouses faith in efficient markets and voiced suspicion regarding the merits of judicial intervention to correct anticompetitive practices.
2. Many industries have consistently gained market share, the lionâs share - without any official concern; the most successful technology companies have grown into veritable titans, on the premise that they advance âpublic interestâ.
3. That the new anticompetitive risks posed by tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, necessitate new legal solutions could be attributed to the dearth of enforcement actions against monopolies and the few cases challenging mergers in the USA.
4. The criterion of âconsumer welfare standardâ and the principle that antitrust law should serve consumer interests and that it should protect competition rather than individual competitors was an antitrust law introduced by, and named after, the 'Chicago school'.
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: 4123
The paragraph logically begins with Sentence 4, which introduces the foundational concept: the âconsumer welfare standardâ in antitrust law, pioneered by the Chicago school. This sentence sets the stage by outlining the theoretical basis for how antitrust laws are applied in the US.
Next, Sentence 1 continues this line of thought by explaining the practical outlook of this framework. It highlights that the Chicago schoolâs conservative view supports minimal intervention and trusts market efficiencyâimportant context for understanding current antitrust enforcement.
Then, Sentence 2 brings in real-world consequences of that minimal enforcement. It points out that several major industries, particularly tech, have grown unchecked, under the assumption that their size serves the public goodâfitting with the conservative framework described earlier.
Finally, Sentence 3 connects all the dots: due to the lack of rigorous enforcement over the years, modern-day tech giants have become so powerful that new legal tools are now needed to address the risks they pose. This is a natural conclusion to the paragraph, emphasizing the need for change in response to the conditions developed under the previously described framework.
Thus, the correct sequence is 4-1-2-3, forming a coherent and logical progression from foundational theory to present-day implications and the need for reform.
Word-1: Espouses
Context:
"It advocated a conservative approach to antitrust enforcement that espouses faith in efficient markets and voiced suspicion regarding the merits of judicial intervention to correct anticompetitive practices." - Legal-Economic Analysis Text
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Espouses" means to adopt or support a belief, idea, or cause. In the context above, it suggests that the conservative approach supports or promotes a belief in the efficiency of markets. This verb often appears in political, philosophical, or ideological discussions when someone publicly aligns with a viewpoint. It's not about casual agreement but rather a strong, committed advocacy of an idea.
Meaning: To adopt or support an idea, belief, or cause (Verb)
Pronunciation: eh-SPOW-ziz
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Old French *espouser*, from Latin *sponsare*, meaning "to betroth" or "to promise in marriage"; evolved to mean a strong commitment to an idea
Prashant Sir's Notes:
To âespouseâ is like âmarryingâ a beliefâyou donât just like it, you fully commit to it. When someone espouses a philosophy, they make it part of their identity or worldview.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: advocate, support, uphold, embrace, champion
Antonyms: reject, oppose, disavow, criticize
Usage Examples:
- He espouses environmental sustainability in all his business practices.
- The candidate espoused progressive policies during her campaign.
- Many philosophers have espoused nonviolence as a core ethical principle.
- The group espouses a strict interpretation of the constitution.
Cultural Reference:
"Gandhi espoused the principle of ahimsa, or nonviolence, as the foundation of his political activism." - Indian Independence Movement
Think About It:
Why is it important to reflect on the beliefs we espouseâespecially those we adopt from authority figures or traditions?
Quick Activity:
Write down one idea or principle you espouse strongly. Then write one sentence explaining why itâs important to you.
Memory Tip:
Think of âespouseâ like âspouseââyou marry or fully commit to an idea, just like a person might commit in a marriage.
Real-World Application:
"Espouses" is often used in academic, political, and journalistic contexts to indicate when someone or a group publicly and firmly supports a particular doctrine, policy, or approachâwhether itâs in economics, social issues, or law.
Word-2: Intervention
Context:
"It advocated a conservative approach to antitrust enforcement that espouses faith in efficient markets and voiced suspicion regarding the merits of judicial intervention to correct anticompetitive practices." - Legal-Economic Analysis Text
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Intervention" refers to the act of becoming involved in a situation to change or influence its outcome. In this context, it specifically means judicial or legal action taken to correct unfair practices in the marketplace. The word is used broadly across disciplinesâmedicine, politics, economics, and educationâto describe any deliberate action intended to alter a course of events, often to prevent harm, enforce fairness, or improve outcomes.
Meaning: The action of becoming intentionally involved in a situation in order to affect the outcome (Noun)
Pronunciation: in-ter-VEN-shun
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *intervenire* meaning "to come between" (*inter-* = between + *venire* = to come)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âInterventionâ is all about stepping inâwhether it's a court stepping into a market, a teacher helping a struggling student, or a friend trying to stop a bad decision. Itâs a powerful word that signals disruption for a purpose.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: involvement, interference, mediation, action
Antonyms: neglect, inaction, noninterference, omission
Usage Examples:
- The governmentâs intervention prevented the collapse of the banking system.
- Judicial intervention was necessary to protect consumer rights.
- Medical intervention saved the patientâs life after the accident.
- Some economists argue against frequent intervention in free markets.
Cultural Reference:
"UN intervention in global conflicts often sparks debate about sovereignty versus humanitarian need." - International Affairs Review
Think About It:
When is intervention helpful, and when might it create more problems than it solvesâespecially in legal, medical, or political systems?
Quick Activity:
List three areas (e.g., education, environment, economics) where intervention might be necessary. Then, briefly describe one possible intervention and its goal.
Memory Tip:
âInter-â means between, and âventionâ is like âcomingââso think of someone coming between two forces to stop, guide, or improve something.
Real-World Application:
Intervention is a key concept in law (judicial rulings), medicine (emergency treatment), psychology (behavioral therapy), and politics (military or diplomatic actions). It's about purposeful involvement to bring change.
Word-3: Veritable
Context:
"Many industries have consistently gained market share, the lionâs share â without any official concern; the most successful technology companies have grown into veritable titans, on the premise that they advance âpublic interestâ." - Business and Economic Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Veritable" is used to emphasize the authenticity or intensity of a description. It often serves to strengthen a metaphor by suggesting that the comparison is not just symbolic but almost literal. In this context, calling tech companies âveritable titansâ emphasizes their immense power and dominance, almost as if they are mythological giants. While the word originally meant âtrueâ or âgenuine,â today it functions more as an intensifier in figurative language.
Meaning: Used as an intensifier to emphasize the truth or strength of a metaphor; real or genuine (Adjective)
Pronunciation: VUR-ih-tuh-buhl
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Old French *veritable*, from Latin *veritas* meaning âtruthâ
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Think of âveritableâ as a word that boosts the truth power of a comparison. When you say something is a âveritable storm,â you're not just saying itâs intenseâyouâre saying itâs *as close to the real thing* as it can get. It makes the metaphor roar louder!
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: true, genuine, real, actual, authentic
Antonyms: false, fake, artificial, counterfeit
Usage Examples:
- He turned his backyard into a veritable jungle of exotic plants.
- The museum is a veritable treasure trove of ancient artifacts.
- After years of silence, the artist returned with a veritable explosion of creativity.
- The city has become a veritable hub for tech innovation.
Cultural Reference:
"She was a veritable goddess on stage, commanding attention with every word." - *New York Times* Theater Review
Think About It:
Why do we use words like âveritableâ to intensify metaphors? Does it make a statement more persuasive or simply more dramatic?
Quick Activity:
Complete this sentence with your own vivid metaphor: âThis book is a veritable _______.â Now explain why you chose that word.
Memory Tip:
âVeritableâ comes from *veritas*, meaning truthâso it means âtrulyâ something, even when used metaphorically. Think: âveritable = verified as intensely real.â
Real-World Application:
"Veritable" is often used in journalism, literature, and persuasive writing to emphasize the overwhelming nature or truth of a comparisonâespecially when highlighting power, scale, or impact (e.g., veritable disaster, veritable hero, veritable fortress).
Word-4: Necessitate
Context:
"That the new anticompetitive risks posed by tech giants like Google, Facebook, and Amazon, necessitate new legal solutions could be attributed to the dearth of enforcement actions against monopolies and the few cases challenging mergers in the USA." - Legal-Economic Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Necessitate" means to make something necessary or unavoidable. In the given context, the growing challenges posed by large tech companies create a situation where new laws or legal frameworks are required. This word often appears in formal or analytical writing, especially when discussing cause-and-effect relationships. If something necessitates a response, it means the response is not optionalâit's essential due to the circumstances.
Meaning: To make something necessary or unavoidable (Verb)
Pronunciation: neh-SES-uh-tayt
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *necessitas* meaning âinevitability, compulsionâ â *necessitare* meaning âto compel or make necessaryâ
Prashant Sir's Notes:
When something ânecessitatesâ action, it puts you in a must-act situation. This word is important for understanding policy changes, urgent decisions, and why certain solutions are seen as compulsory rather than optional.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: require, demand, call for, compel, mandate
Antonyms: eliminate, avoid, prevent, make optional
Usage Examples:
- The increase in data breaches necessitates stronger cybersecurity laws.
- His injury necessitated immediate surgery.
- Changing market trends necessitate a shift in business strategy.
- Climate change necessitates global cooperation and sustainable solutions.
Cultural Reference:
"The pandemic necessitated a global reevaluation of healthcare systems and emergency preparedness." - World Health Organization Report
Think About It:
What kinds of situations in your personal or national life have ever truly *necessitated* changeâand how did you respond?
Quick Activity:
Write a short paragraph explaining one real-world problem (e.g., pollution, inflation, education gaps) and what it necessitates as a solution.
Memory Tip:
Think of ânecessitateâ as âmake necessary.â If something makes you *have to* act, it necessitates actionâno choice, just need!
Real-World Application:
"Necessitate" is used in legal documents, policy reports, academic papers, and everyday reasoning to express why certain decisions, rules, or actions are not just helpfulâthey are required by the situation.
Word-5: Criterion
Context:
"The criterion of âconsumer welfare standardâ and the principle that antitrust law should serve consumer interests and that it should protect competition rather than individual competitors was an antitrust law introduced by, and named after, the 'Chicago school'." - Legal-Economic Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Criterion" refers to a principle or standard by which something may be judged, assessed, or decided. In this context, the 'consumer welfare standard' is the specific criterion used to evaluate whether antitrust laws are being correctly applied. The word is commonly used in academic, legal, and evaluative discussions where decisions must be based on specific benchmarks or measurable standards.
Meaning: A standard or principle by which something is judged or decided (Noun)
Pronunciation: kry-TEER-ee-uhn
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Greek *kriterion*, from *kritÄs* meaning "judge"; related to *krinein*, meaning "to judge or decide"
Prashant Sir's Notes:
âCriterionâ is the lens through which we evaluate things. Whether you're judging a contest, a policy, or even your own goals, knowing your criterion is essentialâit tells you what âgoodâ or âeffectiveâ really means in that situation.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: standard, benchmark, measure, gauge, norm
Antonyms: guess, assumption, whim, speculation
Usage Examples:
- Price was the main criterion used to choose the winning bid.
- Each job applicant was evaluated based on clear criteria of experience and communication skills.
- In education, test scores are often an inadequate criterion for student success.
- The criterion for antitrust action shifted from protecting small businesses to ensuring consumer welfare.
Cultural Reference:
"The Nobel Prize committee uses a strict set of criteria to judge the merit of each nominee's contributions." - *Nobel Foundation*
Think About It:
What criteria do you use when making major life decisionsâare they consistent, conscious, and aligned with your values?
Quick Activity:
Write down three criteria you would use to select a good book to read or a movie to watch. Then compare them with a friend's listâwhatâs similar or different?
Memory Tip:
Remember: âCriterionâ is singular, âcriteriaâ is plural. One benchmark = criterion. Multiple benchmarks = criteria.
Real-World Application:
"Criterion" is vital in fields such as law, science, education, and businessâanywhere clear standards are needed to assess quality, fairness, or effectiveness in decisions and evaluations.
