Directions: Rearrange the following five sentences (A), (B), (C), (D), and (E) in a proper sequence to form a meaningful paragraph, then answer the question given below.

(A) For these critics, it is the disparity in learning outcomes that poses the greatest concern.

(B) Current educational imbalance across regions is the result of decades of inconsistent infrastructure investment.

(C) Meanwhile, alternative perspectives argue that the true injustice lies in the gap of digital access rather than final academic achievements.

(D) Certain school districts have integrated advanced digital tools, whereas others lack fundamental internet connectivity.

(E) Many observers find it troubling that students in prosperous areas thrive academically while those in underfunded schools lag behind.

Which of the following sentences should be the fifth (last) sentence after the rearrangement?

The correct answer is D.

To determine the correct sequence of sentences to form a meaningful paragraph, we analyze the logical structure and transitions between the given sentences:

1. First Sentence (E): Sentence (E) introduces the central theme by stating that observers find it troubling that students in prosperous areas thrive while those in underfunded schools lag behind. This establishes the context for the entire discussion.
2. Second Sentence (A): Sentence (A) follows logically by referring back to "these critics" (the observers mentioned in E), clarifying that their core concern is the disparity in learning outcomes.
3. Third Sentence (C): Sentence (C) uses the transition word "Meanwhile" to present a contrasting perspective, arguing that the fundamental issue is actually the gap in digital access rather than final academic achievements.
4. Fourth Sentence (B): Sentence (B) provides background context and the root cause of this educational imbalance across regions, attributing it to decades of inconsistent infrastructure investment.
5. Fifth Sentence (D): Sentence (D) concludes the paragraph by providing a practical example of the infrastructure disparity mentioned in (B), illustrating how certain school districts have advanced digital tools while others lack basic internet connectivity.

The complete logical sequence of the paragraph is E ⇒ A ⇒ C ⇒ B ⇒ D.

Therefore, sentence (D) is the fifth (last) sentence in the rearranged paragraph.