Verbal Ability – Parajumble – Metaphors may map to similar meanings


Slot – 1 – VA

Metaphors may map to similar meanings – Video


Q. The four sentences (labelled 1, 2, 3, 4) given below, when properly sequenced would yield a coherent paragraph. Decide on the proper sequence of the order of the sentences and key in the sequence of the four numbers as your answer.

  1. Metaphors may map to similar meanings across languages, but their subtle differences can have a profound effect on our understanding of the world.
  2. . Latin scholars point out carpe diem is a horticultural metaphor that, particularly seen in the context of its source, is more accurately translated as “plucking the day,” evoking the plucking and gathering of ripening fruits or flowers, enjoying a moment that is rooted in the sensory experience of nature, unrelated to the force implied in seizing.
  3. The phrase carpe diem, which is often translated as “seize the day and its accompanying philosophy, has gone on to inspire countless people in how they live their lives and motivates us to see the world a little differently from the norm
  4. . It’s an example of one of the more telling ways that we mistranslate metaphors from one language to another, revealing in the process our hidden assumptions about what we really value.
Answer: 3241
Solution: Since it is difficult to clearly establish the introductory sentence, let us look for linking pairs.
Sentences 3 and 2 are clearly a linking pair. Both mention the phrase ‘carpe diem.’ While sentence 3 mentions carpe diem is often translated as “seize the day”, its more accurate translation in the context of its source, as mentioned in sentence 2, is “plucking the day” – evoking the plucking and gathering of flowers. Sentence 3, with “The phrase carpe diem” will come first.
It is clear that carpe diem is therefore a metaphor and its meaning has been changed from its original source.
This is exactly what sentence 4 states and this sentence will follow sentence 2.
Sentence 1, at first read, appears to be the introductory sentence of the paragraph but is actually a more effective concluding sentence. It talks about the subtle differences of metaphors across languages which is exactly what sentences 3 and 2 mention in the form of a particular phrase – carpe diem. Sentence 1, therefore, sums up the assertions made in the first three sentences and is the concluding sentence.
Therefore, the correct order of sentences is 3241.



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