Question

Arrange the sentences A, B, C, and D to form a logical sequence between sentences 1 and 6.
1. Amount of published information available varies widely by industry.
A. Unfortunately for the researcher, many industries do not meet these criteria, and there may be little published information available.
B. Generally, the problem the researcher will face in using published data for analysing an economically meaningful industry is that they are too broad or too arranged to fit the industry.
C. However, it is always possible to gain some important information about an industry from published sources and these sources should be aggressively pursued.
D. Larger the industry, the older it is, and the slower the rate of technological change, better is the available published information.
6. If a researcher starts a searching for data with this reality in mind, the uselessness of broad data will be better recognized and the tendency to give up will be avoided.

Hint:

Look for logical flow: start with the cause (D), then the problem (B, A), and finally the solution (C) to connect sentences 1 and 6 smoothly.

Answer 1

Step 1: Sentence 2 introduces the topic that the amount of published information varies by industry. The next sentence should logically explain or elaborate on this variation.
Step 2: Sentence D explains why the information varies, stating that larger, older industries with slower technological change have better published information. This makes D the logical continuation of sentence 2.
Step 3: Sentence B discusses the problem researchers face with published data being too broad or misaligned, connecting to D by elaborating on the challenges due to industry characteristics.
Step 4: Sentence A continues the idea from B, explaining that many industries do not meet the criteria (from D), resulting in limited published information.
Step 5: Sentence C introduces a solution with "however," suggesting that despite the challenges, pursuing published sources is still valuable, leading to sentence 6, which advises researchers to recognize the limitations and persist.
Step 6: The sequence BDAC forms a coherent paragraph: variation (2), reasons for variation (D), problems faced (B), limitation due to criteria (A), solution (C), and advice (6).
Verification: Other options like DABC disrupt the flow (e.g., A after D jumps abruptly to limitations without explaining the problem), and CDBA starts with a solution prematurely.