Which of the following would be the THIRD sentence after rearrangement? Rearrange the following five sentences A, B, C, D and E in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph and then answer the question given beside. (A) Over the past year, perceptions of relative U.S. economic power have declined in many of America’s key trading partners and allies. (B) Following the onset of the financial crisis nearly a decade ago, Europeans increasingly named China, rather than the U.S., as the world’s leading economic power. 18 | (C) This year, however, the pattern has reversed itself again, and in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain, China is once more seen as occupying the top spot. (D) But in recent years, as the American economy slowly recovered, the pendulum began to swing back in the direction of the U.S. (E) The trend can be seen in several European countries, where views about the economic balance of power have fluctuated in recent years.

Explanation

the explanation for the correct sequence (AEBDC) of the sentences to form a meaningful paragraph: A) "Over the past year, perceptions of relative U.S. economic power have declined in many of America’s key trading partners and allies." This sentence introduces the idea that perceptions of U.S. economic power have declined recently. E) "The trend can be seen in several European countries, where views about the economic balance of power have fluctuated in recent years." This sentence provides context by mentioning that this trend is visible in European countries, where views on economic power have been changing. B) "Following the onset of the financial crisis nearly a decade ago, Europeans increasingly named China, rather than the U.S., as the world’s leading economic power." This sentence explains the shift in perceptions that occurred after the financial crisis, with Europeans considering China as the leading economic power. D) "But in recent years, as the American economy slowly recovered, the pendulum began to swing back in the direction of the U.S." This sentence discusses the reversal of the trend as the U.S. economy recovered, and perceptions started shifting back in favor of the U.S. C) "This year, however, the pattern has reversed itself again, and in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain China is once more seen as occupying the top spot." Finally, this sentence summarizes the current situation where the trend has reversed again in the current year, with China being seen as the top economic power in countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain. The sequence of sentences progresses from the initial decline in perceptions of U.S. economic power to the shift towards China, then the swing back towards the U.S., and finally, the current reversal of the trend back in favor of China. This sequence forms a coherent narrative about changing perceptions of economic power.