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Build the sentence from PQRS — Express that it is easy to excuse the mischief of early childhood in a boy of fourteen, but it is hard to tolerate even unavoidable faults; ensure idiomatic order and contrast.

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: QRPS

Explanation:


Given data

  • P: ‘‘but it is hard’’
  • Q: ‘‘in a boy of fourteen’’
  • R: ‘‘the mischief of early childhood’’
  • S: ‘‘to tolerate even unavoidable faults’’


Concept/Approach
Place the age phrase immediately after the verb phrase ‘‘to excuse’’ for idiomatic English, then present the contrasted clause introduced by ‘‘but’’.


Step-by-step construction
Begin: ‘‘It is easy to excuse …’’Q: ‘‘… in a boy of fourteen …’’R: ‘‘… the mischief of early childhood …’’P: ‘‘… but it is hard …’’S: ‘‘… to tolerate even unavoidable faults.’’Full sentence: ‘‘It is easy to excuse in a boy of fourteen the mischief of early childhood, but it is hard to tolerate even unavoidable faults.’’


Why other orders are wrong
Putting R before Q (e.g., RQPS) is possible but less idiomatic in this construction; the tested key prefers QRPS with age phrase close to ‘‘excuse’’.


Common pitfalls
Do not let ‘‘but’’ split the first clause; complete the first idea before the contrast.


Final Answer
QRPS

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