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Para-jumble Sentences

Question 26: 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. While you might think that you see or are aware of all the changes that happen in your immediate environment, there is simply too much information for your brain to fully process everything.
2. Psychologists use the term ‘change blindness’ to describe this tendency of people to be blind to changes though they are in the immediate environment.
3. It cannot be aware of every single thing that happens in the world around you.
4. Sometimes big shifts happen in front of your eyes and you are not at all aware of these changes.

Solution with Explanation

Correct Answer: 1342

The paragraph discusses a psychological phenomenon in which people fail to notice changes in their surroundings. To construct a logical and coherent paragraph, we must follow the flow from a general statement to explanation and finally to definition.

  • Sentence 1 begins the paragraph by presenting a commonly held belief—that we are aware of everything happening around us—and challenges it by stating that the brain cannot process all the incoming information.
  • Sentence 3 follows naturally, continuing the explanation by specifying that the brain (“It”) cannot be aware of every single thing, reinforcing the limitation introduced in Sentence 1.
  • Sentence 4 gives an illustrative example of this limitation in real life—significant changes can happen without us even noticing.
  • Sentence 2 provides the formal psychological term for this observed behavior: “change blindness.” It also clearly connects to the tendency described in Sentence 4.

Together, these four sentences build a well-structured paragraph that moves from premise to explanation, illustration, and finally, terminology. Therefore, the correct order is 1-3-4-2.

Final Answer: 1342

Word-1: Immediate

Context:

"While you might think that you see or are aware of all the changes that happen in your immediate environment, there is simply too much information for your brain to fully process everything." - Scientific Article

Explanatory Paragraph:

The word "immediate" refers to something that is very close in space or time, or something that happens or is experienced instantly. In the provided context, it means the environment that is directly around you—your surroundings that are closest to you physically. "Immediate" can also be used to describe urgent needs or quick responses, making it a versatile word in both literal and figurative situations.

Meaning: Occurring or present at once; nearest in space or relationship (Adjective)

Pronunciation: ih-MEE-dee-it

Difficulty Level: ⭐ Beginner

Etymology: From Latin "immediatus," from "in-" (not) + "mediatus" (intervening), meaning "without anything between"

Prashant Sir's Notes:

“Immediate” often conveys a sense of urgency or closeness—whether in time (right now), space (right here), or importance (urgent concern). It's a simple word with strong, clear emphasis in any context.

Synonyms & Antonyms:

Synonyms: instant, prompt, nearby, close, urgent

Antonyms: delayed, distant, eventual, remote

Usage Examples:

  1. The doctor took immediate action to save the patient’s life.
  2. My immediate reaction was to step back in surprise.
  3. The fire alarm forced everyone to evacuate the immediate area.
  4. He was surrounded by his immediate family during the ceremony.

Cultural Reference:

"In an age of instant communication, we expect immediate responses—even from machines." - Digital Culture Journal

Think About It:

Why do humans often focus only on their immediate surroundings and neglect long-term or distant consequences?

Quick Activity:

Take a 60-second scan of your immediate environment. List five things you didn’t notice at first but are actually around you.

Memory Tip:

Think of “immediate” as “no medium” in between—it happens *right now* or is *right here* with nothing in between!

Real-World Application:

"Immediate" is used in medicine (immediate care), business (immediate action plans), everyday speech (immediate response), and psychology (immediate surroundings or reactions). It helps identify what is urgent or close by in space or time.

Word-2: Process

Context:

"While you might think that you see or are aware of all the changes that happen in your immediate environment, there is simply too much information for your brain to fully process everything." - Scientific Article

Explanatory Paragraph:

The word "process" in this context refers to the brain's act of receiving, interpreting, and understanding information. It’s a verb that means to take in data and work through it to make sense or take action. "Process" is used across many fields—computing, psychology, business, and more—and always relates to a sequence of actions or operations that lead to a result or outcome. Whether it’s your brain handling sensory input or a factory assembling products, to "process" means to move from input to output in a structured way.

Meaning: To perform a series of actions on something to achieve a result; to understand or deal with something mentally (Verb/Noun)

Pronunciation: PRAH-sess (British) / PRAH-ses or PROH-ses (American)

Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner

Etymology: From Latin "processus," from "procedere" meaning "to go forward"

Prashant Sir's Notes:

Think of "process" as a bridge between starting and finishing. Whether it’s your brain digesting a thought or a system running data, processing is the path that transforms raw input into meaningful output.

Synonyms & Antonyms:

Synonyms: handle, deal with, analyze, treat, transform

Antonyms: ignore, neglect, overlook, abandon

Usage Examples:

  1. Your brain processes thousands of visual cues every second.
  2. The factory processes raw materials into finished goods.
  3. It took her a few days to fully process the news.
  4. This computer can process large amounts of data very quickly.

Cultural Reference:

"In the age of big data, the ability to process information efficiently defines competitive advantage." - Harvard Business Review

Think About It:

How does the way we process information influence our beliefs, actions, and decisions in daily life?

Quick Activity:

Write down three things your brain is processing at this very moment (e.g., sounds, thoughts, emotions). How do they affect your focus?

Memory Tip:

Think of a food processor—it takes raw stuff and turns it into something usable. Similarly, your brain processes raw information into thoughts and decisions.

Real-World Application:

"Process" is vital in every field—from understanding how your brain filters sensory input, to managing workflows in a company, to how a computer runs software. It’s everywhere something is worked on to create meaning or results.

Word-3: Psychologists

Context:

"Psychologists use the term ‘change blindness’ to describe this tendency of people to be blind to changes though they are in the immediate environment." - Scientific Article

Explanatory Paragraph:

"Psychologists" are professionals who study mental functions and behaviors. They explore how people think, feel, and act, and often use their insights to help individuals improve their mental health or performance. In the context provided, psychologists are researchers analyzing how people perceive or fail to perceive changes in their surroundings—a phenomenon known as change blindness. Their work spans academic research, therapy, clinical settings, and even corporate and educational fields.

Meaning: Experts in the scientific study of the human mind and behavior (Noun - plural)

Pronunciation: sy-KOL-uh-jists

Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner

Etymology: From Greek "psyche" (soul, mind) + "logia" (study of); "psychologist" came into English in the late 19th century

Prashant Sir's Notes:

Psychologists aren’t just "mind readers"—they’re scientists who observe, measure, and understand behavior. Whether it's attention, emotion, memory, or perception, psychologists help us uncover what’s going on beneath the surface of our actions.

Synonyms & Antonyms:

Synonyms: mental health expert, behavioral scientist, therapist, counselor

Antonyms: (None exact, but in context) layperson, non-specialist

Usage Examples:

  1. Psychologists have studied memory and learning for over a century.
  2. Many schools now have psychologists to support students’ emotional well-being.
  3. Sports psychologists help athletes improve focus and performance under pressure.
  4. Some psychologists specialize in treating anxiety and depression through therapy.

Cultural Reference:

"Famous psychologists like Carl Jung and B.F. Skinner shaped the way we understand the human mind today." - History of Psychology Journal

Think About It:

Why is it important to study human behavior scientifically rather than relying only on intuition or personal experience?

Quick Activity:

List three situations in daily life where the work of psychologists might be helping you—even if you don’t notice it directly.

Memory Tip:

Break it down: “Psyche” (mind) + “logist” (one who studies). A psychologist is someone who studies the mind!

Real-World Application:

Psychologists work in therapy clinics, schools, hospitals, military, sports, marketing, and user experience design—anywhere understanding human thought and behavior leads to better outcomes.

Word-4: Tendency

Context:

"Psychologists use the term ‘change blindness’ to describe this tendency of people to be blind to changes though they are in the immediate environment." - Scientific Article

Explanatory Paragraph:

The word "tendency" refers to a natural or habitual inclination to behave in a certain way or for something to happen repeatedly. In the context given, it means that people often and unconsciously fail to notice changes around them—this is not a one-time error but a recurring pattern of behavior. "Tendency" is commonly used to describe both personal traits and broader behavioral patterns in groups or systems.

Meaning: An inclination toward a particular characteristic or type of behavior (Noun)

Pronunciation: TEN-duhn-see

Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner

Etymology: From Latin “tendere” meaning “to stretch toward,” plus the suffix “-ency” indicating a quality or state

Prashant Sir's Notes:

A "tendency" doesn’t guarantee a result, but it suggests a direction things often go in. It's like saying “people usually do this”—it reflects patterns in thinking, behavior, or outcomes. Spotting tendencies is the first step toward understanding habits.

Synonyms & Antonyms:

Synonyms: inclination, habit, leaning, predisposition, trend

Antonyms: aversion, disinterest, resistance

Usage Examples:

  1. She has a tendency to overthink small issues.
  2. There’s a global tendency toward remote work after the pandemic.
  3. Babies show a natural tendency to mimic facial expressions.
  4. The economy has shown a tendency to slow down during election years.

Cultural Reference:

"Humans have a natural tendency to seek patterns, even when none exist." - Daniel Kahneman, *Thinking, Fast and Slow*

Think About It:

What tendencies in your thinking or behavior help you grow—and which ones might hold you back?

Quick Activity:

Write down two tendencies you’ve noticed in yourself (e.g., procrastinating, helping others). For each, consider one way to strengthen or shift it.

Memory Tip:

Think of "tendency" like a compass—it's not where you are, but where you're usually heading. “Tend” = to lean or move in a direction.

Real-World Application:

Understanding tendencies is vital in psychology, marketing, politics, education, and personal development. It helps in predicting behavior, making better decisions, and forming healthier habits.

Word-5: Aware

Context:

"Sometimes big shifts happen in front of your eyes and you are not at all aware of these changes." - Scientific Article

Explanatory Paragraph:

The word "aware" refers to having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. In this context, it highlights how people often miss important changes occurring right before them—not because they aren’t present, but because they aren't mentally noticing or registering those changes. Being "aware" means being conscious and attentive, both externally (to surroundings) and internally (to thoughts and emotions).

Meaning: Having knowledge or perception of a situation or fact (Adjective)

Pronunciation: uh-WAIR

Difficulty Level: ⭐ Beginner

Etymology: From Old English "gewĂŚr" meaning "wary, cautious"; related to being watchful or alert

Prashant Sir's Notes:

To be "aware" is to notice. Whether it's noticing your own feelings or spotting changes in your environment, awareness is the first step to learning and responding. Aware people don’t just look—they observe and understand.

Synonyms & Antonyms:

Synonyms: conscious, mindful, alert, informed, observant

Antonyms: unaware, oblivious, ignorant, inattentive

Usage Examples:

  1. She was not aware of the mistake she had made in the report.
  2. Being aware of your surroundings can help you stay safe.
  3. Mindfulness practices help people become more aware of their thoughts and emotions.
  4. The company is aware of the environmental impact of its products.

Cultural Reference:

"Awareness is the greatest agent for change." - Eckhart Tolle, *The Power of Now*

Think About It:

What’s something in your daily life that you’ve stopped being aware of, and how might paying attention to it again improve your experience?

Quick Activity:

Take one minute to sit silently and notice everything you can hear, see, feel, and think. Write down at least five things you became aware of that you hadn’t noticed before.

Memory Tip:

Think: “Aware = A + ware” — you are “a-ware” of what’s going on, like software that's actively monitoring what's happening.

Real-World Application:

Awareness plays a key role in safety, emotional intelligence, learning, leadership, and even in driving or walking through a busy area. The more aware you are, the more effectively you respond to situations around you.

Actual CAT VA-RC 2020 Slot 2: Question-wise Index

Reading ComprehensionWords from the Passage
RC Passage 1 (Q 1 to 5) Must-Learn Words (Passage 1)
RC Passage 2 (Q 6 to 9) Must-Learn Words (Passage 2)
RC Passage 3 (Q 10 to 13) Must-Learn Words (Passage 3)
RC Passage 4 (Q 14 to 18) Must-Learn Words (Passage 4)
Verbal Ability
Ques 19 (Paragraph Summary) Ques 20 (Paragraph Summary)
Ques 21 (Misfit/Odd one out) Ques 22 (Para-jumble)
Ques 23 (Paragraph Summary) Ques 24 (Misfit/Odd one out)
Ques 25 (Para-jumble) Ques 26 (Para-jumble)
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