The correct answer is: C. PSQR
The first sentence, S1, states that the mother tongue is the true vehicle of mother wit. This is followed by sentence P, which states that another medium of speech may bring with it a current of new ideas. This is then followed by sentence Q, which states that it is through the vernacular (refined, though not weakened, by scholarship and taste) that the new conceptions of the mind should press their way to birth in speech. This is then followed by sentence R, which states that but the mother tongue is one with the air in which a man is born. This is finally followed by sentence S, which states that this is almost universally true, except in cases so rare (like that of Joseph Conrad) as to emphasise the general rule. A man’s native speech is almost like his shadow, inseparable from his personality.
The following is a brief explanation of each option:
- Option A: PRQS
This option is incorrect because it does not follow the logical order of the sentences. Sentence P should come after sentence Q, because sentence P is a continuation of sentence Q. - Option B: PRSQ
This option is incorrect because it does not follow the logical order of the sentences. Sentence R should come after sentence Q, because sentence R is a continuation of sentence Q. - Option C: PSQR
This option is the correct answer because it follows the logical order of the sentences. Sentence P comes after sentence Q, because sentence P is a continuation of sentence Q. Sentence R comes after sentence Q, because sentence R is a continuation of sentence Q. Sentence S comes after sentence R, because sentence S is a continuation of sentence R. - Option D: QRPS
This option is incorrect because it does not follow the logical order of the sentences. Sentence Q should come after sentence P, because sentence Q is a continuation of sentence P.