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Para-Completion Questions
Q.22 There is a sentence that is missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide where (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit.
Sentence: The brain isnât organized the way you might set up your home office or bathroom medicine cabinet.
Paragraph: ___(1)___. You canât just put things anywhere you want to. The evolved architecture of the brain is haphazard and disjointed, and incorporates multiple systems, each of which has a mind of its own. ___(2)___. Evolution doesnât design things and it doesnât build systemsâit settles on systems that, historically, conveyed a survival benefit. There is no overarching, grand planner engineering the systems so that they work harmoniously together. ___(3)___. The brain is more like a big, old house with piecemeal renovations done on every floor, and less like new construction. ___(4)__
Options:
A. Option 4
B. Option 1
C. Option 2
D. Option 3
Solution with Explanation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation by Wordpandit:
The sentence presents a metaphor comparing the brainâs organization to a well-ordered domestic space. This type of statement works best as an introduction, setting up the reader with a familiar image before shifting to a contrasting scientific explanation of the brainâs messy, unplanned structure.
Placing it at the beginning of the paragraph (Option 1) provides a smooth transition into the next sentence, which describes the brain as âhaphazard and disjointed.â This logical progressionâfrom a neat expectation to a chaotic realityâmirrors the readerâs shift in perspective and makes for a strong paragraph opening.
Option-by-Option Analysis:
- Option 1 (Correct): This is the ideal position. The metaphor grabs attention and leads directly into the sentence that explains how the brain's actual architecture contradicts the neatness we expect. It functions as a conceptual hook and sets the tone for the rest of the paragraph.
- Option 2: This part of the paragraph dives deeper into how evolution works, emphasizing that there's no central planner. Inserting a metaphor about home offices here would interrupt the scientific reasoning and seem out of place.
- Option 3: This location already contains a metaphorâthe brain being like a âbig, old house with piecemeal renovations.â Adding another metaphor here (about home offices and cabinets) would be redundant and disrupt the paragraphâs flow.
- Option 4: The final sentence wraps up the idea of the brainâs patchwork design. Placing the metaphor here would dilute its impact and leave it disconnected from the concept it was meant to introduce. It wouldn't contribute to a cohesive reading experience.
Word 1: Piecemeal
Context:
"The brain is more like a big, old house with piecemeal renovations done on every floor, and less like new construction." - Neuroscience Analogy
Explanatory Paragraph:
âPiecemealâ refers to something that is done gradually, in stages, or in small, separate partsârather than in a unified or planned manner. In the given analogy, the brain is described as having evolved through piecemeal changes, like an old house updated bit by bit over time, rather than being built all at once. This captures the complexity and historical layering of brain development.
Meaning: Done, made, or happening in separate stages or pieces rather than all at once (Adjective/Adverb)
Pronunciation: PEES-meel
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Middle English *pecemeale*, combining âpieceâ with âmealâ (an old suffix meaning 'by a specified quantity or amount')
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word beautifully captures the idea of gradual or uncoordinated change. Very common in writing about history, construction, problem-solving, and evolution. Use it when describing something thatâs not done all at once, or not perfectly planned.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: gradually, bit by bit, incrementally, step by step
Antonyms: all at once, wholesale, unified, comprehensive
Usage Examples:
- The reforms were implemented in a piecemeal fashion over several years.
- He tackled the renovation piecemeal, starting with the kitchen before moving to other rooms.
- The companyâs piecemeal strategy caused confusion and inefficiency.
- Evolution often works through piecemeal adjustments rather than radical redesigns.
Cultural Reference:
Charles Darwinâs theory of natural selection implies that evolution proceeds not in sweeping leaps but through piecemeal changes that build up over generationsâan idea echoed in modern evolutionary biology.
Think About It:
Can a piecemeal approach ever be better than a well-structured, unified one? In what situations?
Quick Activity:
Think of a project youâve worked on recently. Was it tackled in a piecemeal way or all at once? Write one sentence reflecting on the result.
Memory Tip:
âPiecemealâ = âPiece + Mealâ â Like eating something one bite at a time or fixing something bit by bit.
Real-World Application:
Piecemeal approaches are common in policymaking, home renovation, and tech development. While they offer flexibility, they may also result in inconsistency if not managed carefully.
Word 2: Haphazard
Context:
"The evolved architecture of the brain is haphazard and disjointed, and incorporates multiple systems, each of which has a mind of its own." - Neuroscience Analogy
Explanatory Paragraph:
âHaphazardâ describes something that is unplanned, random, or lacking order and organization. In the context of the brain, it suggests that its structure did not emerge from a single, unified design but rather from layers of additions and adaptations made over time. This reflects the evolutionary processâincremental and opportunistic, rather than architecturally perfect. The brainâs complex, patchy nature reflects this haphazard development.
Meaning: Lacking any obvious principle of organization; random or chaotic (Adjective)
Pronunciation: hap-HAZ-erd
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Middle English *hap* (chance, luck) + *hazard* (danger or risk), emphasizing randomness and unpredictability
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This word is ideal for describing situations, structures, or systems that are messy, uncoordinated, or thrown together without careful planning. Whether youâre talking about your study routine or evolutionary biology, âhaphazardâ captures the sense of disorder well.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: random, chaotic, disorganized, careless, unplanned
Antonyms: systematic, organized, deliberate, planned, methodical
Usage Examples:
- The documents were stored in a haphazard pile on his desk.
- Evolution often leads to haphazard adaptations that just happen to work.
- The city's expansion was haphazard, leading to major infrastructure issues.
- Her haphazard study schedule made it hard to retain information consistently.
Cultural Reference:
In his book *The Blind Watchmaker*, Richard Dawkins emphasizes that evolution has no foresightâits results, including the brainâs structure, are often haphazard, shaped by survival needs rather than intelligent design.
Think About It:
Can something haphazard still be effective or beautiful? Does structure always require planning?
Quick Activity:
Describe one place (e.g., a room, city, website) that feels haphazard to you. Then write how you would redesign it to be more organized.
Memory Tip:
âHaphazardâ = âhapâ (chance) + âhazardâ (risk) â Things done by chance can often feel risky or disorganized.
Real-World Application:
Used in everyday language and professional fieldsâfrom architecture to project managementââhaphazardâ warns against lack of planning. It helps describe systems, decisions, or designs that feel chaotic or slapdash.
Word 3: Disjointed
Context:
"The evolved architecture of the brain is haphazard and disjointed, and incorporates multiple systems, each of which has a mind of its own." - Neuroscience Analogy
Explanatory Paragraph:
âDisjointedâ refers to something that is disconnected, uncoordinated, or lacking a coherent structure. When used to describe ideas, systems, or physical structures, it implies that the parts donât fit together smoothly or logically. In the context of brain architecture, âdisjointedâ suggests that different systems within the brain evolved separately and now function independently or in conflicting waysâreflecting an uneven, layered evolutionary history.
Meaning: Lacking a coherent sequence or connection; fragmented or uncoordinated (Adjective)
Pronunciation: dis-JOIN-tid
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *dis-* (âapartâ) + *junctus*, past participle of *jungere* (âto joinâ)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
This is a great word for describing messy or fragmented structuresâwhether in writing, thinking, systems, or biology. Particularly powerful when pointing out a lack of unity or flow. Often paired with terms like âhaphazard,â âfragmented,â or âchaotic.â
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: fragmented, disconnected, incoherent, unstructured
Antonyms: coherent, unified, connected, orderly
Usage Examples:
- The speakerâs argument was disjointed, jumping from topic to topic without clear transitions.
- The urban layout feels disjointed, with new buildings scattered without planning.
- Her thoughts became disjointed under stress, making it hard to concentrate.
- The brain's structure appears disjointed because it evolved over millions of years without a master plan.
Cultural Reference:
In literature and film, a âdisjointed narrativeâ refers to storytelling that skips across time or perspective without linear orderâa style used famously by directors like Quentin Tarantino and writers like William Faulkner.
Think About It:
Can disjointed systems sometimes produce creativity or innovation, even if they lack coherence?
Quick Activity:
Write a short paragraph (3â4 sentences) with intentionally disjointed ideas. Then rewrite it for coherence. Compare the two versions.
Memory Tip:
Think âdis-joinedâ â not joined together. Visualize puzzle pieces that donât fit or wires that arenât connected.
Real-World Application:
âDisjointedâ is commonly used in academic writing, psychology, project evaluations, and critiques to describe when something lacks structure, logical flow, or consistency. Itâs a key descriptor in fields analyzing communication, systems, or design.
Word 4: Incorporates
Context:
"The evolved architecture of the brain is haphazard and disjointed, and incorporates multiple systems, each of which has a mind of its own." - Neuroscience Analogy
Explanatory Paragraph:
âIncorporatesâ means to include or combine different parts into a single whole. It suggests that something is being brought in and made part of a larger system or structure. In the context of the brain, it describes how various systemsâevolved at different times and for different purposesâare now part of the same organ. This highlights the brainâs complex, layered nature, where older and newer systems coexist within the same structure.
Meaning: To include something as part of a whole; to combine or unite with something else (Verb)
Pronunciation: in-KOR-puh-rays
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Latin *incorporare*, meaning âto unite into one body,â from *in-* (into) + *corpus* (body)
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Very commonly used verb, especially in academic and technical writing. âIncorporatesâ signals that something is being brought in or blended into a system or concept. Great for essays where you're discussing structure, integration, or combination.
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: includes, integrates, absorbs, blends, combines
Antonyms: excludes, separates, isolates, removes
Usage Examples:
- The course incorporates both theory and practical experience.
- The new policy incorporates feedback from teachers and students alike.
- The brain incorporates ancient structures like the limbic system alongside newer regions like the neocortex.
- The app incorporates multiple tools for productivity in one platform.
Cultural Reference:
Many modern diets incorporate ancient foods like quinoa and turmericâdemonstrating how health practices integrate both traditional and modern elements.
Think About It:
Whatâs the difference between truly incorporating something and just adding it superficially? How do we know when something is fully integrated?
Quick Activity:
Pick any three elements (e.g., technology, ethics, nature). Write a sentence about how they can be incorporated into education.
Memory Tip:
âIncorporateâ = âinto bodyâ â Picture different parts coming together to form one unified body or system.
Real-World Application:
âIncorporatesâ is widely used in writing about systems, organizations, biology, education, and business. Whether you're talking about incorporating a company, an idea, or a skill, it signifies thoughtful inclusion into a larger structure.
Word 5: Harmoniously
Context:
"There is no overarching, grand planner engineering the systems so that they work harmoniously together." - Neuroscience Analogy
Explanatory Paragraph:
âHarmoniouslyâ refers to doing something in a way that is smooth, coordinated, or peacefulâwithout conflict or chaos. It comes from the idea of musical harmony, where different notes blend well to produce a pleasing sound. In this context, it means that the brainâs systems donât necessarily work together seamlessly or with coordination, because they werenât designed with harmony in mindâthey evolved independently and now coexist, sometimes clashing.
Meaning: In a way that is well-coordinated, peaceful, or without conflict (Adverb)
Pronunciation: har-MO-nee-us-lee
Difficulty Level: ââ Beginner
Etymology: From Greek *harmonia* meaning âagreement, concord,â through Latin *harmonia* and Old French *harmonie*
Prashant Sir's Notes:
Often used to describe teamwork, relationships, music, or systems working together effectively. It implies balance, agreement, and smooth functioning. When writing about systems or groups, âharmoniouslyâ is a powerful contrast word to terms like âchaoticallyâ or âdisjointedly.â
Synonyms & Antonyms:
Synonyms: smoothly, peacefully, cooperatively, agreeably
Antonyms: chaotically, discordantly, conflictually, unevenly
Usage Examples:
- The team worked harmoniously to complete the project ahead of schedule.
- Birdsong and the rustling of leaves blended harmoniously in the quiet forest.
- For a society to thrive, its diverse communities must live harmoniously together.
- The brainâs regions do not always function harmoniouslyâthey often compete or conflict.
Cultural Reference:
In Confucian philosophy, societal well-being is achieved when individuals live and act harmoniously within their roles, promoting peace and balanceâa concept central to traditional Chinese thought.
Think About It:
Is it always ideal for everything to work harmoniously? Can tension and conflict sometimes lead to innovation or growth?
Quick Activity:
List two examples from your own lifeâone where things worked harmoniously, and another where they didnât. Reflect on what made the difference.
Memory Tip:
Think of a choir: when all voices blend well, they sing âharmoniouslyââthatâs the image to remember!
Real-World Application:
âHarmoniouslyâ is used across disciplinesâmusic, social science, teamwork, ecology, and neuroscienceâto describe balanced and cooperative functioning. Itâs a key concept in conflict resolution, design thinking, and systems analysis.
