Reorder Paragraphs
The "Reorder Paragraphs" task is often
considered one of the most challenging parts of the PTE Reading section because
it tests your ability to understand the logical flow of ideas. Here is a
comprehensive guide covering its format, scoring, effective strategies, and
practice samples.
Overview of the "Reorder Paragraphs" Task
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Number of Questions |
Typically 2 to 3 per test. |
|
Time for Questions |
Part of
the overall 29–30
minute Reading section timer. Aim for no more than 3 minutes per question. |
|
Task Format |
You are
given a passage with 4-5 text boxes in a random
order. You must drag and drop them to arrange them into the correct logical
sequence. |
|
Scoring |
Partial Credit (No negative
marking). You
get 1 point for each correctly
ordered adjacent pair. For a 5-sentence question, there
are 4 possible adjacent pairs.
You should always attempt an order. |
|
Skills Assessed |
Reading only. This task assesses your ability to
understand the organization and cohesion of a text, including identifying the
main idea, supporting details, and logical connectors. |
Key Strategies for Success
Identify the Topic
Sentence First
The topic
sentence introduces the main idea of the paragraph. It is usually a general
statement that stands alone and doesn't refer back to anything.
Look for
sentences that:
- Introduce a new concept or idea.
- Do not contain pronouns like "he,"
"she," "it," "they," or
connectors like "however,"
"therefore," "also," or "secondly"
that would link it to a previous sentence.
Find Logical
Connectors
Look for words
and phrases that indicate the relationship between ideas. These are your
strongest clues for ordering the sentences.
Sequencing
- First
- Second
- Finally
- Next
- Then
- Subsequently
Cause and Effect
- Therefore
- Consequently
- As a result
- Because
- Hence
Contrast
- However
- Although
- On the other hand
- Despite
- In contrast
Addition
- Moreover
- Furthermore
- Additionally
- Also
- Besides
Follow the Pronoun
Trail
Pronouns like "he," "she," "it,"
"they," "this," and "these" refer back to a noun introduced in an
earlier sentence. A sentence beginning with a pronoun almost certainly cannot
be the first sentence.
Look for
Chronological or Logical Order
Many passages
follow a time sequence (past to present) or a logical progression (problem to
solution, general statement to specific examples).
Treat it Like a Jigsaw
Puzzle
Start by
identifying pairs of sentences that must go together.
For example, if
sentence B mentions a specific
example of a concept introduced in sentence A, then A
must come before B.
Once you have a
few pairs, you can piece the whole sequence together.
Never Leave It Blank
There is no
negative marking, so always submit an answer sequence.
An educated
guess is always better than a zero.
5 Practice Samples with Answers and Explanations
Here are
practice questions based on the official PTE format. Try to apply the
strategies above to each one.
Sample 1: The First Day
The text boxes below have been placed in a random
order. Reorder the paragraphs to form a coherent narrative.
Text Boxes
A. The
day began with a sense of hope, but by midday, a storm had forced the crew to
seek shelter.
B.
Despite the setback, they were confident they could make up for lost time.
C. The
sun rose over the calm sea, promising a perfect day for the voyage.
D.
However, their optimism was soon tested when the engine failed to restart.
Answer & Explanation
The correct order is: C, A, B, D.
C (The sun rose...): This introduces the setting and the positive start of
the day, establishing it as the topic sentence.
A (The day began...): This follows naturally by describing what happened
during the day. The phrase "but by
midday" marks a shift in time and a contrast to the initial
promise.
B (Despite the setback...): "The
setback" refers to the storm mentioned in sentence A. This
sentence shows the crew's reaction to the obstacle.
D (However, their optimism...): "However"
introduces another contrast, and "their
optimism" links directly back to the crew being "confident" in sentence B. "The engine failed" is the new
problem that follows.
Pair Logic
C-A:
Chronological order (sunrise to midday) and a logical progression of events.
A-B: "The setback" in B refers to
the storm in A.
B-D: "Their optimism" in D refers
to the confidence in B, and "However"
signals a new obstacle.
Sample 2: The Discovery of Penicillin
The text boxes below have been placed in a random
order. Reorder the paragraphs to form a coherent narrative.
Text Boxes
A. It
was not until the 1940s that penicillin was mass-produced for medical use.
B. This
discovery revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections.
C.
Alexander Fleming first observed the mold's antibacterial properties in 1928.
D.
However, he initially struggled to isolate and stabilize the active compound.
E. The
development of the drug was a result of a chance observation in his laboratory.
Answer & Explanation
The correct order is: E, C, D, B, A.
E (The development...): This is the topic sentence. It introduces the subject
of the passage (the development of penicillin) and refers to a general "chance observation."
C (Alexander Fleming...): This follows by providing the specific details of the
observation, naming the scientist and the year. It introduces "he," which links to the
unnamed scientist in E.
D (However, he initially...): "However"
introduces a contrast to the successful discovery, and "he" refers back to Fleming in sentence C.
B (This discovery...): "This
discovery" refers to the eventual success of penicillin,
summarizing its impact after the initial struggles mentioned in D.
A (It was not until...): This provides the specific timeline for the drug's
mass production, concluding the narrative. "It" refers to penicillin.
Pair Logic
E-C:
General statement to specific detail. The "chance observation" in E is explained in C.
C-D: "He" in D refers to Fleming in
C, and "However"
signals the difficulty he faced.
D-B: "This discovery" in B
summarizes the successful outcome after the struggle in D.
B-A: "It" in A refers to
penicillin, and the sentence provides the final historical detail (mass
production in the 1940s).
Sample 3: Fear of Public Speaking
The text boxes below have been placed in a random
order. Reorder the paragraphs to form a coherent narrative.
Text Boxes
A. This
creates a vicious cycle where the anxiety itself causes the very symptoms the
person fears.
B. As a
result, they often avoid situations where they might have to speak in front of
others.
C. For
many people, the fear of public speaking is one of the most common and
debilitating phobias.
D. This
avoidance, however, only serves to reinforce the fear in the long run.
E. The
fear is typically rooted in a fear of being negatively evaluated by others.
Answer & Explanation
The correct order is: C, E, A, B, D.
C (For many people...): This is the topic sentence. It introduces the subject
(fear of public speaking) and defines it as a common phobia.
E (The fear is typically...): This follows by explaining the cause of the phobia,
providing a specific detail about its origins.
A (This creates...): "This"
refers to the root cause (the fear of negative evaluation) mentioned in E. The
sentence explains the resulting physical and psychological cycle.
B (As a result...): This explains the natural consequence of the cycle in
A – people start to avoid situations where they might speak.
D (This avoidance, however...): "However"
introduces a contrast to the avoidance as a solution, explaining that it
actually makes the problem worse. "This
avoidance" directly links back to the behavior described in B.
Pair Logic
C-E:
Topic sentence followed by the cause of the topic.
E-A: "This" in A refers to the "fear of being negatively evaluated"
in E.
A-B: "As a result" shows the
consequence of the anxious cycle described in A.
B-D: "This avoidance" in D refers
to the avoidance behavior in B.
Sample 4: The Great Wall of China
The text boxes below have been placed in a random
order. Reorder the paragraphs to form a coherent narrative.
Text Boxes
A.
However, the most famous sections, such as those near Beijing, were built
during the Ming Dynasty.
B. The
Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic structures in the world.
C.
These earlier walls were often made of rammed earth and were less durable than
the later brick constructions.
D. Its
construction spanned over two millennia, with various dynasties contributing to
its expansion.
E. The
initial fortifications were built by individual states to protect themselves
from invaders.
Answer & Explanation
The correct order is: B, D, E, C, A.
B (The Great Wall...): This is the topic sentence. It introduces the subject
(The Great Wall) and its iconic status.
D (Its construction...): "Its"
refers to the Great Wall. This sentence provides a general overview of its long
construction history, acting as a logical follow-up.
E (The initial fortifications...): This gives the specific details about the beginning
of the construction, explaining what was built first.
C (These earlier walls...): "These
earlier walls" refers to the "initial fortifications" in E. The sentence
describes their characteristics.
A (However, the most famous...): "However"
introduces a contrast to the earlier walls, shifting focus to the later, more
famous sections built during the Ming Dynasty.
Pair Logic
B-D:
Topic sentence followed by a general statement about its history ("Its" refers to the Wall).
D-E:
General statement about "various
dynasties" is followed by a specific detail about the "initial fortifications."
E-C: "These earlier walls" in C
refers to the "initial
fortifications" in E.
C-A: "However" introduces a
contrast between the earlier walls and the famous Ming Dynasty sections.
Sample 5: The Rise of Online Learning
The text boxes below have been placed in a random
order. Reorder the paragraphs to form a coherent narrative.
Text Boxes
A. As a
result, many traditional institutions have begun to incorporate digital tools
into their curriculum.
B. This
shift has been largely driven by the increased accessibility of high-speed
internet and smart devices.
C. One of
the most significant changes in education over the past decade has been the
rise of online learning.
D.
However, critics argue that this mode of learning can lack the personal
interaction of a traditional classroom.
E.
Despite these criticisms, the trend towards digital education continues to grow
globally.
Answer & Explanation
The correct order is: C, B, A, D,
E.
C (One of the most...): This is the topic sentence. It introduces the subject
(the rise of online learning) as a significant change in education.
B (This shift...): "This
shift" refers to the rise of online learning. The sentence
explains the driving force behind this change.
A (As a result...): This explains the consequence of the shift described
in B – traditional institutions have started to adapt.
D (However, critics argue...): "However"
introduces a contrasting viewpoint, presenting a criticism of online learning.
E (Despite these criticisms...): "Despite
these criticisms" directly refers to the arguments made in D. The
sentence concludes by reaffirming the trend, ending the passage on a final
note.
Pair Logic
C-B: "This shift" in B refers to "the rise of online learning"
in C.
B-A: "As a result" links the
cause (the shift) to the effect (institutions incorporating digital tools).
A-D: "However" signals a shift to
a contrasting viewpoint after the positive development in A.
D-E: "Despite
these criticisms" in E directly references the critics' arguments
in D.
