The correct sequence is SPRQ (Option C).

This forms a logical narrative about the Himalayan formation: a past collision event leads to geological uplift, cooling effects, and modern geophysical interpretation.​

Logical Flow

Sentence S describes the initial event—a collision between bedrock from the Antarctic Plate (referring to the ancient Gondwana fragment now as the Indian Plate) and the Eurasian Plate, starting ~50 million years ago.​

P follows as the direct result: this “fortuitous geological event” (the collision) generated massive energy and heat, uplifting rocks to ~4 km across the contact zone, matching Himalayan orogeny processes.​

R continues chronologically: cooling of this “massive edifice” (uplifted crust) absorbed atmospheric CO₂ via silicate weathering, aiding life’s evolution through carbon sequestration.​

Q concludes with the present implication: “Thus,” geophysicists view the Himalayas as an “active geological event” due to ongoing convergence (~5 cm/year).​

Option Analysis

(A) QPSR: Starts with modern conclusion (Q’s “Thus”) lacking prior events; incoherent without cause.​

(B) QSPR: Q first, then S (past event after conclusion); jumps timelines illogically.

(D) SRPQ: Ends abruptly with P’s uplift details after R’s cooling, skipping smooth progression; Q misplaced.

Only SPRQ builds chronologically: event (S) → immediate effect (P) → long-term consequence (R) → current view (Q).​

Introduction to Sentence Sequencing

Sentence sequencing questions test logical flow in competitive exams like GATE CSE 2024 Set 2 GA Q6, where candidates reorder P, Q, R, S into a coherent passage on Himalayas geological formation. Keywords like “Antarctic Plate collided Eurasian Plate” and “rocks rising 4 km” demand chronological geological reasoning.​

Himalayas Formation: Real Science Behind SPRQ

The Indian Plate (Gondwana “Antarctic Plate” fragment) collided with the Eurasian Plate ~50 Ma (S), generating heat for crustal thickening to ~4 km (P), matching observed Himalayan uplift.​

Cooling absorbed CO₂ via weathering (R), sequestering ~10¹¹ mol/year, altering early atmosphere.​

Ongoing activity justifies Q’s “active geological event” view.​

Coherent Passage (SPRQ): Many millennia ago, a breakaway chunk of bedrock from the Antarctic Plate collided with the massive Eurasian Plate (S). This fortuitous geological event generated a colossal amount of energy and heat that resulted in the rocks rising to an average height of 4 km across the contact zone (P). The natural process of the cooling of this massive edifice absorbed large quantities of atmospheric carbon dioxide, altering the earth’s atmosphere and making it better suited for life (R). Thus, the geophysicists tend to think of the Himalayas as an active geological event rather than as a static geological feature (Q).​

Exam Tips for CSIR NET/GATE

• Spot discourse markers: “This” (P), “Thus” (Q) indicate sequence.

• Chronology: Past event → effect → consequence → implication.