Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: QRPS
Explanation:
Given data
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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