Concepts with Tips & Tricks : Last Sentence of the Paragraph | Verbal Ability (VA) & Reading Comprehension (RC) - CAT PDF Download

Para Completion (PC) has been a consistent component of CAT papers since 2005. Before delving into solving these questions, it's crucial to grasp their underlying purpose. Para Completion Questions gauge a candidate's cognitive abilities such as deduction, summarization, continuation, and coherence in understanding ideas or arguments.
The structure of paragraph completion questions bears a striking resemblance to parajumbles questions. However, the key disparity lies in their execution: parajumbles necessitate arranging sentences to construct a coherent paragraph, whereas paragraph completion tasks involve integrating the final sentence seamlessly into the existing text.

• The task requires us to finalize the paragraph in the manner most fitting, rather than strictly adhering to logic. Those gearing up for the GMAT likely encounter akin questions prompting them to logically conclude passages.
• As "appropriateness" is subjective, candidates frequently rely on intuition to make selections, introducing an element of uncertainty. Accuracy rates typically hover around 50%.
• Typically, the closing line of a paragraph either extends a discussion or wraps up an argument. In essence, it offers continuity or a conclusive remark.

What should the last line have and not have

If the last line is a conclusion, then

• The last line should bring the paragraph to a smooth end; it should not be abrupt.
• The conclusion should be logically derivable from the premises already stated or from pieces of evidence already cited and should reflect the correct line of reasoning
• The outcome should focus on the main idea of the passage.
• The conclusion must be relevant to the critical issues discussed in the passage

If the last line is a continuation of an idea, then

• The last line must not have a new element, not at all related to the ideas discussed earlier
• The last line should have structure and order very similar to the preceding ideas
• The logical arrangement of the last line should be such that it gives a logical flow to the entire paragraph
• The idea in the last line should reflect a smooth transition from the idea in the preceding lines

Above all, the candidate must ensure that the tone of the last line is consistent with the tone of the entire paragraph.

Example of Para Completion

Relations between the factory and the dealer are distant and usually strained as the factory tries to force cars on the dealers to smooth out production. Relations between the dealer and the customer are equally strained because dealers continuously adjust prices—make deals—to adjust demand with supply while maximizing profits. This becomes a system marked by a lack of long-term commitment on either side, which maximizes feelings of mistrust. In order to maximize their bargaining positions, everyone holds back information—the dealer about the product and the consumer about his true desires. _________________

1. As a result, ‘deal making’ becomes rampant, without concern for customer satisfaction.
2. As a result, inefficiencies creep into the supply chain.
3. As a result, everyone treats the other as an adversary, rather than as an ally.
4. As a result, fundamental innovations are becoming scarce in the automobile industry.
5. As a result, everyone loses in the long run.

Sol: From the options, we come to know that the question wants us to logically conclude the paragraph. So, the last line is a conclusion, not a continuation
Before we take the options, we must find out the central argument of the passage. What is the passage all about? The passage discusses the relations between three entities, and that relationship is strained. Now let’s take the options one at a time:
Option A: If the relations are strained, then how can deal-making become rampant?
Option B: The author is discussing strained relations; we must ask ‘how can strained relations cause inefficiencies in the supply chain?’ We don’t have strong pieces of evidence to arrive at such a conclusion.
Option C: Seems a good choice, but only at first glance. If the relations between the manufacturer and the distributor are not good, then they both will lose in the long run because they both depend on each other. And, how can the customer become an adversary of the manufacturer? The customer is competing neither with the manufacturer nor with the distributor. In short, option C is too far-fetched.
Option D: The issues with option D are very similar to those of option B. The logic of ‘strained relations vs innovations’ must be convincing. What has good or strained relations to do with innovations? The option does not sound convincing.
Option E: Sees perfect. Carefully read the last line of the passage: In order to maximize their bargaining positions, everyone holds back information—the dealer about the product and the consumer about his true desires. To maximize their bargaining positions, they are holding back information; as a result, they all will lose in the long run. The option is logical and sensible; it is not far-fetched or irrelevant as the others.