The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, and 4) given 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. As books age, the cellulose and lignin in the paper begin to break down, releasing a mix of volatile organic compounds into the air. Old books carry a scent that many people instantly recognize—and even love. These compounds are benzaldehyde, which gives off an almond-like scent, vanillin, which smells like vanilla, ethyl hexanol (floral scent), toluene (sweet), and furfural (which has a slightly bready scent). This familiar aroma isn't just dust or mildew; it's actually a result of slow chemical changes happening inside the paper and ink.

CAT 2025 Slot 2 · VARC · Question 7

CAT 2025 Slot 2 previous year question on Para Jumbles, with the answer and a step-by-step solution.

Para JumblesVerbal AbilityType in the answer (TITA)Medium

The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, and 4) given 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.

As books age, the cellulose and lignin in the paper begin to break down, releasing a mix of volatile organic compounds into the air.
Old books carry a scent that many people instantly recognize—and even love.
These compounds are benzaldehyde, which gives off an almond-like scent, vanillin, which smells like vanilla, ethyl hexanol (floral scent), toluene (sweet), and furfural (which has a slightly bready scent).
This familiar aroma isn't just dust or mildew; it's actually a result of slow chemical changes happening inside the paper and ink.

Answer & solution

Answer: 2413

Three of the four sentences open with a backward-pointing word, which makes the opener easy to find.

Sentence 4 begins 'This familiar aroma', sentence 3 begins 'These compounds', and sentence 1 begins 'As books age' while naming compounds that must be introduced. Only sentence 2 stands alone: old books carry a scent many people recognise and love. So 2 opens.

Sentence 4's 'This familiar aroma' refers straight back to the scent in 2, and it sets up the explanation – the aroma results from slow chemical changes in paper and ink. So 4 is second.

Sentence 1 delivers that chemistry: cellulose and lignin break down and release volatile organic compounds. It answers what the 'slow chemical changes' are. So 1 is third.

Sentence 3 begins 'These compounds' and lists them by name with their individual scents. It can only follow the sentence that first mentions compounds, which is 1. So 3 closes.

The sequence is 2413.

Shortcut: list the first two or three words of each sentence. Any sentence starting with this, these, such or a pronoun cannot open. When exactly one sentence survives that filter, the opener is settled in seconds, and demonstrative chains normally fix the rest.

Hence, the answer is 2413.

CAT 2025 Slot 2 · VARC · Question 7

More Para Jumbles questions