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Understanding PTE Reorder Paragraph Task
You'll get a paragraph that's all mixed up, about 150 words long, and you need to put it back in the correct order.
When you take the PTE test, you'll have two boxes on your screen: the one on the left has all the sentences jumbled up, and the one on the right is empty.
You must drag the sentences from the left and drop them into the correct box in the order that makes sense. The PTE Reorder Paragraph task evaluates your ability to arrange sentences to create a coherent paragraph logically.
Understanding its structure and scoring system is crucial for improving your performance.
Also Read: PTE Exam Syllabus
How is it Scored in PTE Reading?
Achieving a good PTE score in the Reorder Paragraph section is straightforward. You get points for every pair of sentences you match up correctly. However, no points are awarded for nearly correct answers. The trick to improving your PTE Reading score is to be as accurate as possible when putting the sentences in the proper order. The higher your accuracy, the better your reading score.
Also Read: PTE Reading Practice Test
Why is this Task Important for Your PTE Score?
Performing well in the Reorder Paragraph section, a key component of the PTE Reading section, can significantly improve your overall score. Getting good at this task makes you a more fluent reader, which is excellent for your academic life. In the PTE exam, this task tests how well you can understand the logical order of ideas in a text.
How to Approach PTE Reorder Paragraph Questions?
Effectively tackling PTE Reorder Paragraph questions requires a structured approach. From identifying the topic sentence to recognising logical connectors, these actionable steps will help you succeed. Let's look at an example for better understanding.
Example: PTE Reorder Paragraph Question
Sentences:
- A. However, the discovery of antibiotics in the 20th century significantly improved survival rates.
- B. Many ancient civilisations used herbal remedies to treat infections.
- C. Before the advent of modern medicine, bacterial infections often led to severe illness and death.
- D. Despite these traditional methods, they were often ineffective against severe bacterial diseases.
We will be explaining the above example in detail below to give a proper understanding of the PTE reorder paragraph question.
Identifying the Topic Sentence (The Starting Point)
Topic sentences generally introduce the main idea and don't refer back to other sentences. Recognising this sentence is crucial for correctly arranging the rest. Considering the above example, sentence C is the most likely topic sentence since it introduces the subject of bacterial infections and the lack of modern medicine.
Also Read: PTE Speaking Writing Practice Test
Recognising Logical & Chronological Order
Paragraphs are often arranged in a way that makes sense, following a timeline or a logical order. Pay attention to dates, words that signal sequence like "first," "following," or "finally," and connections between causes and effects. Understanding how the ideas connect will help you organise things more smoothly.
Considering the above example, sentence B mentions ancient civilisations using herbal remedies, logically following sentence C as a historical context.
Connecting Sentences Using Keywords & Pronouns
Pay attention to keywords, repeated phrases, or pronouns like he, she, it, and they. These are usually hints about how sentences are related. Connecting sentences properly using these signs can make you more accurate.
In the example, sentence D references "these traditional methods," clearly linking it to the herbal remedies in sentence B. The word "despite" indicates a contrast, suggesting that the traditional methods weren't always practical.
So the correct sequence to the above example is C → B → D → A
This structured approach makes sure that you accurately identify the topic sentence and logically connect ideas, boosting your PTE Reading score.
Also Read: PTE Reading Tips and Tricks
Effective Strategies to Solve PTE Reorder Paragraphs Faster
To solve problems quickly and accurately, it's crucial to use specific strategies. These techniques will help you arrange sentences logically in no time.
Looking for Transition Words & Connectors
In a PTE Reorder Paragraph task, the first sentence typically shouldn't begin with transition words such as "they," "this," "for example," "but," "another," "however," or "nevertheless." These kinds of words signal a continuation or a contrast, which suggests they're unsuitable for starting the whole paragraph.
Sentence Structure Clues
Understanding sentence structure is a powerful strategy to ace PTE Reorder Paragraph questions. Sentences often follow a clear pattern that indicates their position in a paragraph. You should analyse subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, and sentence logic. Generally, sentences introducing ideas are followed by elaborations, examples, or consequences.
Use these tips to spot clues and arrange sentences logically:
- Identify Subject-Verb Agreement: Look for sentences introducing a subject without pronouns like he, she, or it. Example: "The Industrial Revolution transformed manufacturing." (Introduction)
- Track Consistent Tenses: Past events are in the past tense, while general facts are often in the present tense. Example: "The company launched its first product in 2005." (Past tense)
- Spot Cause and Effect Relationships: Place the cause before the effect. Example: "The company implemented eco-friendly policies." → "Consequently, its carbon footprint was significantly reduced.
- Recognise Article Usage: New concepts often begin with a/an, while follow-ups use the. Example: "A new smartphone was launched." → "The phone features a cutting-edge camera."
- Align with Logical Connectors: Words like however, moreover, and in contrast connect ideas. Example: "Remote work may reduce productivity." → "However, studies suggest it boosts satisfaction."
Understanding Cause-Effect & Chronological Relationships
Identify cause-and-effect statements using terms like because, since, or due to, usually follow cause statements. Chronological relationships often feature dates, historical events, or process steps.
Example: "Due to the drought, crops failed." → "As a result, food prices rose."
Practice Exercises for PTE Reorder Paragraph
The best way to master the PTE Reorder Paragraph task is through hands-on practice. Applying the strategies you've learned to actual questions will improve your understanding of sentence connections and logical flow.
Sample PTE Reorder Paragraph Questions & Answers
Now let us take up a few PTE Reorder Paragraph examples to understand the questions with answers:
Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them
Even well-prepared test-takers often lose valuable points in the PTE Reorder Paragraph section due to common yet avoidable mistakes. Here's how to tackle them:
- Not Identifying the Topic Sentence First
Finding the first sentence can be a real headache if you don't give it the attention it deserves. The topic sentence usually introduces the main idea without relying on previous information. Nail this down first, and the rest of your structure will naturally fall into place. - Ignoring Pronoun References & Sentence Linkages
Pronouns like he, she, it, and they and linking words such as this, that, these, and those connected to previous statements. Misinterpreting them disrupts the flow. Carefully track these references to maintain coherence. - Spending Too Much Time on One Question
Managing your time is essential. Try not to spend too much time on any one question. The more you practice, the faster and more accurate you'll become. If you're unsure, take your best shot and then move on. You can always come back to it later if you have time. - Overlooking Transitional Clues
The words "however," "therefore," "meanwhile," and "consequently" signal changes in thought or conclusions. Identifying these transitions helps you figure out sentence order more efficiently. - Misjudging Sentence Relationships
Assuming sentences with similar topics are connected can lead to errors. It's essential to think about how they relate to each other. Look for signs that they're linked by cause and effect, if they're opposing ideas, or if they happen in a sequence.
You'll significantly improve your PTE Reorder Paragraph score by avoiding these usual mistakes and applying effective strategies.
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