CAT 2025 Slot 3 VARC Question & Solution
Question
Five jumbled sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5), related to a topic, are given below. Four of them can be put together to form a coherent paragraph. Identify the odd sentence out and key in the number of that sentence as your answer.
1. The profound emotional impact of music has inspired ongoing research into its relationship with emotions.
2. Music is a universal phenomenon that utilizes a myriad brain resources.
3. This inherent connection to musical expression is deeply intertwined with human identity and experience.
4. The proclivity to create and appreciate music is ubiquitous among humans, permeating daily life across diverse societies.
5. Engaging with music is among the most cognitively demanding tasks a human can undergo, and it is identified across cultures.
Solution
Main Idea of the Paragraph
The sentences describe music as a universal and complex part of human life. They emphasise that:
- Music exists in all cultures
- It is deeply connected to the human brain
- It shapes how people think, feel, and experience the world
Overall, the focus is on what music is, how widespread it is, and how closely it is tied to human cognition and identity.
Explanation of the Correct Sequence
Why Sentences 2 → 4 → 3 → 5 Fit Together
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Sentence 2 works best as the opening.
- It introduces the central idea that music is universal
- It also links music directly to the human brain, setting a scientific but broad foundation
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Sentence 4 builds on this by showing that:
- Making and enjoying music is common across all societies
- Music is part of everyday human life
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Sentence 3 then deepens the argument.
- It connects music to human identity and experience
- This shows that music is not just widespread, but also meaningful
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Sentence 5 supports this idea further.
- It explains that engaging with music requires complex cognitive processes
- It reinforces the point that such engagement is found across cultures
Together, these sentences move from universality → daily presence → human meaning → cognitive complexity.
Why Sentence 1 Is the Odd One Out
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Sentence 1 shifts the focus away from music itself.
- It talks about research inspired by music’s emotional effects
- This introduces a discussion about scientific study, not about music’s role in human life
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Unlike the other sentences, it does not explain:
- What music is
- How it functions universally
- How humans experience it
As a result, it does not support the paragraph’s central theme.