Rearrange the following sentences to form a meaningful paragraph.

(A) Many people now prefer taking extended vacations to unwind and reconnect with themselves.
(B) Travel has increasingly become a way not just to see new places but to momentarily escape the pressures of daily routines.
(C) In today’s fast-paced world, hectic schedules and constant digital connectivity often leave individuals drained.
(D) Meeting new people, exploring unfamiliar cultures, and disconnecting from work helps rejuvenate the mind.
(E) This shift in travel behavior reflects a growing awareness about mental well-being and the need for intentional breaks.

Which of the following is the FIRST sentence after rearrangement?

To determine the correct order of the sentences and identify the first sentence, we need to analyze the logical flow, context clues, and transition words between each sentence.

Step 1: Identify the opening sentence (Introduction)
Sentence (C) introduces a broad, independent premise: "In today’s fast-paced world, hectic schedules and constant digital connectivity often leave individuals drained." This sentence does not rely on any preceding references, making it the perfect starting point to establish the background context of stress and fatigue in modern life.

Step 2: Link the problem to travel as an escape
Sentence (B) builds directly on the problem of being "drained" by offering an escape mechanism: "Travel has increasingly become a way not just to see new places but to momentarily escape the pressures of daily routines." This establishes travel as a response to the daily pressures introduced in (C).

Step 3: Specify the modern trend in travel
Sentence (A) narrows down the type of travel people are choosing: "Many people now prefer taking extended vacations to unwind and reconnect with themselves."

Step 4: Reference the shift in behavior
Sentence (E) starts with the demonstrative phrase "This shift in travel behavior...", which directly references the preference for "extended vacations" mentioned in sentence (A). Thus, (E) must follow (A): "This shift in travel behavior reflects a growing awareness about mental well-being and the need for intentional breaks."

Step 5: Conclude with the benefits of these breaks
Sentence (D) elaborates on how these intentional breaks achieve their purpose: "Meeting new people, exploring unfamiliar cultures, and disconnecting from work helps rejuvenate the mind."

Final Rearranged Paragraph Order:
The logical sequence of the paragraph is C → B → A → E → D.

Therefore, the FIRST sentence after rearrangement is (C).