CDS 2026 (I) English, question 38

Topic: Ordering of sentences

Answers by SolvedPaper. UPSC has not released the official answer key for this paper yet. We will update it when they do.

Directions · Q31 to Q40

In this section each item consists of six sentences that comprise a passage. The first and sixth sentences are given in the beginning as S1 and S6. The sequence of the four sentences in the middle, labelled as P, Q, R, and S, has been jumbled. You are required to find the proper sequence of the four jumbled sentences and mark your response on the Answer Sheet accordingly.

Q38

S1 : The lantana plant is not native to India.

S6 : However, eradicating lantana is a long and arduous process which can only be carried out with a lot of technical expertise and financial commitment.

P : Since then, it has spread over six lakh square kilometres, covering fifty percent of the country’s natural areas.

Q : Research also shows that the lantana has invaded most pasture lands in the country.

R : It was introduced in the country as an ornamental plant by the British in the 1800s.

S : A 2020 estimate by researchers shows that the plant occupies forty percent of forests, including tiger reserves.

  1. (a) QSRP
  2. (b) RPSQCorrect answer
  3. (c) RQSP
  4. (d) SQPR

Solution.

Answer: (b) RPSQ

  1. R introduces the plant's arrival in India.
  2. “Since then” in P must follow that introduction.
  3. S supplies a specific forest estimate, and “Research also” in Q adds the finding about pasture lands.
  4. Sequence: R → P → S → Q.