Rearrange the following sentences in the proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph; then answer the questions given below them.

(A) Microchip fabrication facilities gradually restored output as raw material supplies normalized, whereas display screen plants continued to suffer from persistent shortages of specialized glass.
(B) Even though both tech components experienced supply bottlenecks, the exact causes and recovery schedules differed substantially.
(C) In contrast, display panel expenses shot up because key manufacturing hubs in Asia faced severe chemical shortages and factory shutdowns.
(D) During the past fiscal year, market prices for both microchips and display screens surged dramatically owing to supply chain crises.
(E) This contrasting pattern demonstrates how distinct industrial vulnerabilities can lead to divergent cost movements among electronic components.
(F) Semiconductor plants in Taiwan endured power outages and water scarcity, resulting in reduced production yields and rising unit costs.

Which of the following should be the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?

The correct answer is D.

To find the correct sequence for a meaningful paragraph, we analyze the logical structure and connections between the sentences:

1. Sentence (D) acts as the introductory sentence. It establishes the main subject of the paragraph: how market prices for both microchips and display screens surged dramatically during the past fiscal year owing to supply chain crises.
2. Sentence (B) logically follows (D) by adding key context—that while both tech components faced supply bottlenecks, their specific causes and recovery schedules differed substantially.
3. Sentence (F) elaborates on the first component (microchips/semiconductors), explaining how power outages and water scarcity in Taiwan reduced production yields.
4. Sentence (C) connects to (F) using the phrase "In contrast," detailing the causes for display panels (chemical shortages and factory shutdowns in Asia).
5. Sentence (A) addresses the recovery schedules of both components, stating that microchip fabrication restored output while display screen plants continued to suffer from glass shortages.
6. Sentence (E) serves as the concluding sentence, summarizing how this contrasting pattern demonstrates divergent cost movements and distinct industrial vulnerabilities.

The correct logical sequence of the paragraph is D - B - F - C - A - E.

Therefore, the FIRST sentence after rearrangement is D.