Micro-Approach for VA Topics in the Last Sprint for CAT 2024: Para-Completion

Hi CAT warriors! 👋

Let’s wrap up our Micro-Approach series with one of the most analytical VA question types: Para-Completion. These questions demand logical reasoning, attention to detail, and the ability to spot how ideas flow seamlessly within a paragraph.

In this post, we’ll break down the strategies to tackle Para-Completion questions and apply them to actual CAT 2023 examples for clarity. Each example will illustrate the tricks and approaches you need to master this topic.

What Are Para-Completion Questions?

Para-Completion questions require you to decide where a given sentence fits best within a paragraph. This involves:

• Understanding the main theme of the paragraph.
• Spotting logical connections between sentences.
• Ensuring the placement maintains the flow and coherence of the argument.

The Para-Completion Approach: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Understand the Central Theme and Flow

• Quickly identify the main idea of the paragraph. Ask yourself:
  • What is the paragraph talking about?
  • How does each sentence contribute to this discussion?
• Pay attention to introductions, transitions, and conclusions—these provide clues about where the missing sentence fits.

Step 2: Analyze the Missing Sentence

• Understand its purpose:
  • Does it introduce a concept, elaborate on one, or conclude an argument?
  • Look for keywords like “however,” “beyond,” or “alternatively” that indicate its role.
• Focus on logical alignment: The missing sentence should strengthen the narrative, not disrupt it.

Step 3: Test Each Placement Logically

• Place the sentence in each blank and read the paragraph to check if it fits:
  • Does the flow remain smooth and coherent?
  • Does the sentence add value to the paragraph at that spot?

Step 4: Eliminate Incorrect Placements

• Remove placements where the sentence:
  • Repeats information already stated.
  • Introduces unrelated ideas.
  • Breaks the paragraph’s logical sequence.

CAT 2023 Example Questions

Example 1

Sentence: Beyond undermining the monopoly of the State on the use of force, armed conflict also creates an environment that can enable organized crime to prosper.

Paragraph:

• Linkages between illicit arms, organized crime, and armed conflict can reinforce one another while also escalating and prolonging violence and eroding governance.
• Financial gains from crime can lengthen or intensify armed conflicts by creating revenue streams for non-State armed groups (NSAGs).
• In this context, when hostilities cease and parties to a conflict move towards a peaceful resolution, the widespread availability of surplus arms and ammunition can contribute to a situation of ‘criminalized peace’ that obstructs sustainable peacebuilding efforts.

Correct Placement: Option 4

Explanation and Key Learning

• Sentence Analysis: The missing sentence emphasizes the dual effect of armed conflict: weakening State authority and fostering organized crime. It transitions from armed conflict to the implications for governance and peacebuilding.
• Strategy in Action:
  • The paragraph discusses how armed conflict and organized crime are interconnected.
  • The missing sentence introduces the secondary effect (organized crime prospering), making it a logical transition into the discussion of “criminalized peace.”

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Misreading Transitions: Words like “however,” “beyond,” or “alternatively” are clues about the sentence’s role—don’t ignore them.
• Overlooking Logical Flow: Ensure the paragraph reads coherently with the missing sentence in place.
• Focusing on Details, Not Flow: Don’t get bogged down in minor details; focus on how the ideas connect overall.

Pro Tips for Para-Completion Questions

• Identify Sentence Purpose: Is the missing sentence an opener, bridge, or conclusion? Match its tone and content accordingly.
• Trust Connectors: Words like “hence,” “thus,” “beyond,” or “alternatively” give clues about how the sentence relates to others.
• Re-Read for Coherence: After choosing the placement, re-read the paragraph with the sentence in place to ensure it flows logically.

Final Takeaway

Para-Completion questions are all about logical reasoning and attention to flow. With the right strategies and enough practice, you’ll develop the instinct to tackle these questions confidently.

That’s the last topic in our Micro-Approach series! Good luck with your preparation—remember, trust your process and stay sharp for the big day. 😊