Question

The following segments of a sentence are given in jumbled order. The first and last segments (1 and 5) are in their correct positions, while the middle three segments (represented by 2, 3, and 4) are jumbled up. Choose the correct order of the segments so that they form a coherent sentence: 

1. Consumed multitudes are jostling and shoving inside me 
2. and guided only by the memory of a large white bedsheet with a roughly circular hole some seven inches in diameter cut into the center, 
3. clutching at the dream of that holey, mutilated square of linen, which is my talisman, my open-sesame,
4. I must commence the business of remaking my life from the point at which it really began, 
5. some thirty-two years before anything as obvious, as present, as my clockridden, crime-stained birth. 
 

• A. 2 – 3 – 4
• B. 3 – 2 – 4
• C. 4 – 2 – 3
• D. 4 – 3 – 2

Hint:

When dealing with jumbled sentence questions, focus on connecting the subject and the action first, and then find logical transitions that fit the time or context (here, the reference to time in the last segment).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The first segment of the sentence is: 1. Consumed multitudes are jostling and shoving inside me. 
This implies that the subject is in a crowded or chaotic state. 
The last segment of the sentence is: 5. some thirty-two years before anything as obvious, as present, as my clock-ridden, crime-stained birth. 
This indicates a time reference, looking back at an event (birth) that occurred thirty-two years ago. 
 Now, we need to arrange segments 2, 3, and 4 to form a coherent thought. 
Segment 2: and guided only by the memory of a large white bedsheet with a roughly circular hole some seven inches in diameter cut into the center. 
 Segment 3: clutching at the dream of that holey, mutilated square of linen, which is my talisman, my open-sesame. 
Segment 4: I must commence the business of remaking my life from the point at which it really began. 
Clearly, segment 2 introduces the guiding memory, and segment 3 further explains it as a "talisman" and "open-sesame," meaning it is a key to the story. Finally, segment 4 follows logically by talking about starting the process of remaking life from this point. 
Thus, the correct order of the middle segments is: 

\[ \boxed{2 - 3 - 4} \]