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Para-jumble Sentences
31. The five sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) given in this question, when properly sequenced, form a coherent paragraph. Each sentence is labelled with a number. Decide on the proper order for the sentences and key in this sequence of five numbers as your answer.
1. Johnson treated English very practically, as a living language, with many different shades of meaning and adopted his definitions on the principle of English common law - according to precedent.
2. Masking a profound inner torment, Johnson found solace in compiling the words of a language that was, in its coarse complexity and comprehensive genius, the precise analogue of his character.
3. Samuel Johnson was a pioneer who raised common sense to heights of genius, and a man of robust popular instincts whose watchwords were clarity, precision and simplicity.
4. The 18th century English reader, in the new world of global trade and global warfare, needed a dictionary with authoritative acts of definition of words of a language that was becoming seeded throughout the first British empire by a vigorous and practical champion.
5. The Johnson who challenged Bishop Berkeley's solipsist theory of the nonexistence of matter by kicking a large stone (I refute it thus) is the same Johnson for whom language must have a daily practical use.
Solution with Explanation
Answer: 43512
Detailed explanation by Wordpandit:
Sentence 4 should be the first sentence as it clearly states the need for a dictionary in the 18th century. The other 4 statements talk about Samuel Johnson.
Sentence 3 must form the second line as it introduces Samuel Johnson. Another clue is that only Sentence 3 contains the full name of Samuel Johnson â hence it is safe to conclude that it introduces the subject.
As Sentence 5 describes Johnson's life and character, it acts as a continuation to his introduction in the previous sentence, and hence, it should be placed before explaining his contributions.
Sentence 1 describes Johnsonâs style of work, and acts as a continuation from the second half of Sentence 5.
Sentence 2 ties up the connection between Johnsonâs work in the English language, and how it helped shape his character, thus serving as a perfect conclusion.
Hence 43512 is the correct order.
Word-1: Precedent
Context:
"Johnson treated English very practically, as a living language, with many different shades of meaning and adopted his definitions on the principle of English common law â according to precedent." â Historical Linguistics Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Precedent" refers to an earlier event, action, or decision that is used as an example or guide for future situations. In this context, Johnson based his dictionary definitions not on strict rules but on how words had been used historicallyâmuch like English common law, where past rulings influence present judgments. The term suggests a respect for tradition and accumulated usage, especially in legal, academic, or linguistic contexts.
Meaning: An earlier event or decision that serves as an example or rule to be followed in similar cases (Noun)
Pronunciation: PREH-suh-dent
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *praecedere* meaning âto go before,â from *prae-* (before) + *cedere* (to go)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Precedent" is especially powerful in legal and academic writing. It refers to authority based on what has already been established. Knowing when something sets a precedent helps you identify influence, tradition, or even constraint. A great word to show historical relevance or inherited logic.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: example, standard, guide, model, prior case
Antonyms: anomaly, novelty, exception, break from tradition
Usage Examples:
- The judgeâs decision was based on legal precedent set by earlier cases.
- Thereâs no precedent for such a bold move in company history.
- His use of informal phrases set a linguistic precedent for later authors.
- Following precedent, the new law mirrored older regulations.
Cultural Reference:
"The doctrine of precedent is a cornerstone of common law systems, where past judicial decisions influence future legal outcomes." â Legal Studies Textbook
Think About It:
Should precedent always be followed, or is it sometimes necessary to break from the past to allow change?
Quick Activity:
Think of a time you followed someoneâs example (a âprecedentâ) in a decision you made. Describe it in one sentence.
Memory Tip:
âPrecedentâ sounds like âprecedeâ â something that *comes before* and helps guide what comes next.
Real-World Application:
"Precedent" is used widely in law, education, linguistics, and politics. It helps frame how earlier decisions, uses, or events influence present-day actions and interpretations.
Word-2: Torment
Context:
"Masking a profound inner torment, Johnson found solace in compiling the words of a language that was, in its coarse complexity and comprehensive genius, the precise analogue of his character." â Biographical Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Torment" refers to severe mental or physical suffering. In this context, it highlights Samuel Johnsonâs deep, possibly lifelong emotional pain, which he tried to hide by immersing himself in intellectual workâspecifically the massive task of compiling a dictionary. The word conveys not just pain but agony, distress, and inner struggle, often suggesting a state that is ongoing and intense.
Meaning: Severe mental or physical suffering (Noun); to cause someone to suffer (Verb)
Pronunciation: TOR-ment (noun), tor-MENT (verb)
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *tormentum*, meaning "twisting device, torture," from *torquere* (to twist)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Torment" is a strong emotional word. Use it when describing deep, often hidden sufferingâwhether emotional, mental, or even physical. It appears often in literature and biographies to portray inner battles and psychological depth. Pay attention to tone: it's more intense than simple sadness or pain.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: agony, anguish, misery, suffering, torture
Antonyms: relief, peace, comfort, solace, joy
Usage Examples:
- He lived with the torment of guilt for years.
- Her past traumas continued to torment her dreams.
- The characterâs inner torment gave the novel its emotional depth.
- Grief and regret tormented him long after the incident.
Cultural Reference:
"In Mary Shelleyâs *Frankenstein*, the creature is tormented not by pain, but by loneliness and rejectionâa powerful example of emotional torment." â Literary Studies
Think About It:
Can torment be a source of creativity, as it was for Johnsonâand if so, is that a price worth paying?
Quick Activity:
Write a short sentence describing a character (real or fictional) who hides inner torment behind outward calm or strength.
Memory Tip:
âTormentâ comes from âtorquereâ â to twist. Think of pain that twists inside you, either physically or emotionally.
Real-World Application:
"Torment" is used in psychology, literature, and emotional narratives to describe complex suffering. Understanding this word helps readers and writers convey emotional intensity and inner conflict.
Word-3: Analogue
Context:
"Masking a profound inner torment, Johnson found solace in compiling the words of a language that was, in its coarse complexity and comprehensive genius, the precise analogue of his character." â Biographical Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Analogue" refers to something that is comparable to something else in significant respects, often used to suggest a parallel or symbolic similarity. In this context, the writer suggests that the English languageâwith all its messiness, diversity, and brillianceâmirrored Johnsonâs own complex and troubled personality. The word highlights a deep likeness that is not identical but strikingly reflective in form or essence.
Meaning: A thing seen as comparable or similar to another (Noun)
Pronunciation: AN-uh-log
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Greek *analogos* meaning "proportionate," from *ana-* (according to) + *logos* (ratio, word)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Analogue" is an elegant word for showing similarity in form or function without being identical. Itâs useful in essays, science writing, and literary comparisons. Often used when describing a non-literal or metaphorical match. Itâs different from âequalâ or âsameââmore like âparallel in spirit.â
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: counterpart, parallel, match, equivalent, likeness
Antonyms: opposite, contrast, unrelated, dissimilarity
Usage Examples:
- Her role in the community is an analogue to that of a village elder.
- The heart is often seen as an analogue to a mechanical pump.
- This fictional society serves as an analogue of our own, highlighting similar flaws and hopes.
- Poetry became the perfect analogue for his inner emotional chaos.
Cultural Reference:
"In literature, characters or settings often serve as analogues for historical events or real people, offering layered meaning and commentary." â Literary Devices Handbook
Think About It:
What personal analogue would best represent your inner worldâa language, an object, a city, or a work of art?
Quick Activity:
Choose something (like a book, movie, or place) that you feel is an analogue of your personality. Write a sentence explaining why.
Memory Tip:
âAnalogueâ = âA logical likeness.â Think of something that *resembles* another in spirit or structureânot in exact form.
Real-World Application:
"Analogue" is often used in comparative literature, psychology, philosophy, and even in biology (e.g., "analogous structures"). Itâs great for drawing deep comparisons across disciplines.
Word-4: Authoritative
Context:
"The 18th century English reader, in the new world of global trade and global warfare, needed a dictionary with authoritative acts of definition of words of a language that was becoming seeded throughout the first British empire by a vigorous and practical champion." â Historical Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
"Authoritative" refers to something that is accepted as being accurate, definitive, and reliable, often because it comes from a recognized source of knowledge or power. In this context, the term describes the kind of dictionary Samuel Johnson was expected to produceâone whose definitions would not only be trustworthy but also command respect in a rapidly expanding empire. It signals clarity, credibility, and intellectual weight.
Meaning: Able to be trusted as accurate or true; commanding respect (Adjective)
Pronunciation: uh-THOR-uh-tay-tiv
Difficulty Level: âââ Intermediate
Etymology: From Latin *auctoritas* meaning âinfluence, command, authorityâ
Prashant Sir's Notes:
"Authoritative" is a great academic and formal word. It implies both accuracy and authorityânot only is the information correct, but it's also backed by expertise. In essays or presentations, calling something 'authoritative' boosts its credibility. Perfect for describing sources, works, or people with established knowledge.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: reliable, credible, commanding, definitive, trustworthy
Antonyms: unreliable, questionable, uncertain, unofficial, doubtful
Usage Examples:
- Her book is considered the most authoritative guide on the subject of ancient philosophy.
- He spoke in an authoritative tone that silenced the room.
- Oxford English Dictionary is an authoritative source for word meanings.
- The panel included several authoritative voices from the medical community.
Cultural Reference:
"Dr. Johnsonâs *Dictionary of the English Language* (1755) was hailed as the first truly authoritative record of English, shaping the languageâs evolution for centuries." â Linguistic History
Think About It:
In a world of constantly changing information, what makes a source truly authoritativeâand how can we learn to recognize it?
Quick Activity:
List two sources (books, websites, or people) you consider authoritative. Then write a sentence explaining why you trust each one.
Memory Tip:
âAuthoritativeâ comes from âauthorityââso if it sounds like it has the *power to teach or decide*, itâs probably authoritative.
Real-World Application:
"Authoritative" is widely used in research, journalism, legal writing, education, and debate. It helps evaluate the trustworthiness and influence of people, texts, and decisions.
Word-5: Solipsist
Context:
"The Johnson who challenged Bishop Berkeley's solipsist theory of the nonexistence of matter by kicking a large stone (âI refute it thusâ) is the same Johnson for whom language must have a daily practical use." â Philosophical Commentary
Explanatory Paragraph:
A "solipsist" is someone who believes in *solipsism*âthe philosophical idea that only one's own mind is sure to exist, and everything else (including the physical world) may be just a projection of one's consciousness. In the given context, Bishop Berkeley's radical view was that material objects might not truly exist outside of perception. Samuel Johnson famously rejected this by physically kicking a rock, making a practical, physical argument against such abstract theory. The word represents a deeply self-centered or mind-only worldview, often criticized for denying the existence of external reality.
Meaning: A person who believes that only their own mind or self truly exists (Noun)
Pronunciation: SOL-ip-sist
Difficulty Level: ââââ Advanced
Etymology: From Latin *solus* (alone) + *ipse* (self), forming *solipsismus* in modern philosophy
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a deeply philosophical word, often used to critique extreme subjectivity or detachment from the physical world. In literature and debate, calling someone a "solipsist" is to say theyâre locked in their own mind, refusing to acknowledge external truths or shared experiences. Use it thoughtfullyâitâs weighty and critical.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: egocentrist, subjectivist, idealist (philosophically), introspectionist
Antonyms: realist, empiricist, objectivist, materialist
Usage Examples:
- The philosopher was accused of being a solipsist, denying the reality of anything outside his mind.
- In her fiction, the main character is a solipsist, trapped in her thoughts and distrustful of others' perspectives.
- Solipsists struggle to explain how communication or shared meaning is even possible.
- Johnsonâs stone-kicking gesture was a symbolic attack on solipsist thought.
Cultural Reference:
"George Berkeleyâs idealism, often associated with solipsism, led to one of philosophyâs most famous anecdotes: Dr. Johnson kicking a rock and declaring, 'I refute it thus.'" â Western Philosophy
Think About It:
If only your mind can be proven to exist, what does that mean for relationships, morality, or even history?
Quick Activity:
Write one sentence where a character either defends or challenges solipsism through an everyday action (like Johnsonâs famous stone kick).
Memory Tip:
âSolâ = alone, âipsistâ = self â A solipsist believes in *only* the self. Think: âsolo in the psyche.â
Real-World Application:
While mostly philosophical, "solipsist" can describe people or arguments that deny external realities or dismiss othersâ perspectives. Itâs useful in critiques of extreme individualism or intellectual isolation.