The question below consists of a set of labelled (P, Q, R, S) sentences. Out of four options given, select the most logical order of the sentences which form a paragraph.
By the early part of 1939 the German dictator Adolf Hitler had become determined to invade and occupy Poland.
P. In a secret protocol of this pact, the Germans and the Soviets agreed that Poland should be divided between them, with the western third of the country going to Germany and the eastern two-thirds being taken over by the U.S.S.R.
Q. Hitler intended to invade Poland anyway, but first he had to neutralize the possibility that the Soviet Union would resist the invasion of its western neighbour.
R. Poland, for its part, had guarantees of French and British military support should it be attacked by Germany.
S. Secret negotiations led on August 23–24 to the signing of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact in Moscow.
Having achieved this cynical agreement, the other provisions of which stupefied Europe even without divulgence of the secret protocol, Hitler thought that Germany could attack Poland with no danger of Soviet or British intervention and gave orders for the invasion to start on August 26.

Correct option is D

• The opening sentence states Hitler’s determination to invade Poland. The paragraph must then explain the situation and the steps taken before invasion.
• Sentence (R) fits first because it gives Poland’s position and the international context: Poland had British and French guarantees if attacked.
• Sentence (Q) must follow because it explains Hitler’s key concern despite these guarantees: he needed to neutralize possible Soviet resistance before invading.
• Sentence (S) comes next as the action taken to address that concern: secret negotiations led to the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact.
• Sentence (P) naturally follows (S) because it refers to this pact and explains the secret protocol dividing Poland, which directly supports the concluding line about Hitler’s confidence.

• (a) RSPQ: Places the pact (S) before explaining why Hitler needed it (Q), which weakens cause-and-effect.
• (b) RQPS: Explains the secret protocol (P) before introducing the pact (S); the reference this pact becomes unclear.
• (c) RPSQ: Places the protocol (P) too early and again uses this pact without proper introduction.