VARC

Sentence Insertion

Find the correct position for a given sentence within a numbered paragraph. Tests contextual understanding.

Overview

Sentence Insertion (Out of Context / Fill-in-the-blank) questions present a paragraph with one sentence removed (or a blank) and ask you to identify which of the given sentences fits best in the blank. CAT has 1–2 such questions per exam. This is closely related to Para Jumble but simpler — only one position is uncertain.

Approach

Read the paragraph to understand the flow: what comes before the blank, what comes after
Identify the connector: The sentence before the blank ends on what note (general claim? specific example? question?)? The sentence after the blank begins on what note (continuation? contrast? elaboration?)?
The correct insertion must connect smoothly — no pronoun/referent gap, no sudden topic shift

Coherence Checks

Does the inserted sentence's subject match the pronoun in the sentence that follows?
Does it follow logically from the sentence before?
Does it not repeat information already given?

Common Mistakes

Choosing a sentence that is thematically related but disrupts the logical flow
Inserting a conclusion sentence in the middle of a developing argument

Exam Tip

If you can identify a mandatory pair (sentence A must precede sentence B), check if the blank falls between them. The correct insertion goes between A and B only if it doesn't disrupt that mandatory pair.

CAT PYQ Spotlight

Actual CAT questions on this topic

CAT 2022 · Slot 1

There is a sentence that is missing in the paragraph below. Look at the paragraph and decide in which blank (option 1, 2, 3, or 4) the following sentence would best fit. Sentence: Having made citizens more and less knowledgeable than their predecessors, the Internet has proved to be both a blessing and a curse.

CAT 2022 · Slot 1

In the following question part of the sentence is given in bold, it is then followed by three sentences which try to explain the meaning of the phrase given in bold. Choose the best set of alternatives from the five options given below each question which explains the meaning of the phrase correctly without altering the meaning of the sentence given a question.

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Practice Sentence Insertion