PTEreading

PTE Re-order Paragraphs

Drag text boxes to arrange paragraphs into the correct logical order.

2-3 minutes per item
PTE Academic (Score 10-90)

What is this question type?

Re-order Paragraphs tests your understanding of text organisation and coherence. You receive 4-5 text boxes that form a logical paragraph when correctly ordered. It assesses your ability to identify topic sentences, follow logical progression of ideas, recognise cohesive devices, and understand how information flows in English academic writing.

Winning Strategy

  1. 1

    Identify the topic sentence — it introduces the main idea without referring back to other sentences

  2. 2

    Look for sentences with reference words (this, these, such, it) — they must come after what they refer to

  3. 3

    Find logical pairs: a cause should precede its effect, a question before its answer

  4. 4

    Check for chronological or logical sequence markers: first, then, finally, however, as a result

  5. 5

    Place the most general sentence first and the most specific or concluding one last

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Starting with a sentence that contains a reference word (this, that, these) pointing to missing context

  • Not checking that pronouns correctly refer to nouns in the preceding sentence

  • Ignoring transitional phrases that signal the relationship between paragraphs

  • Placing a conclusion or summary sentence in the middle of the text

  • Trying to order by topic similarity rather than logical flow

Tips for Success

  • Practice by taking paragraphs from articles, scrambling them, and putting them back together

  • Learn common discourse markers and what they signal: contrast, addition, cause/effect, sequence

  • The first sentence usually doesn't start with a pronoun or transitional word like "However"

  • Read your final order through completely to check the text flows naturally

  • Pairs of sentences are often easier to identify than the full order — start by finding pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

How many text boxes are there?
Usually 4-5 text boxes that need to be arranged in the correct order.
Is partial credit given?
Yes, PTE uses partial credit scoring based on correct adjacent pairs of sentences.
What makes a good opening sentence?
A good opening sentence introduces the topic generally, doesn't contain reference words pointing to previous context, and doesn't start with transitional words like "However" or "Therefore".

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PTE Re-order Paragraphs - Complete Study Guide for Pearson Test of English Academic

Re-order Paragraphs tests your understanding of text organisation and coherence. You receive 4-5 text boxes that form a logical paragraph when correctly ordered. It assesses your ability to identify topic sentences, follow logical progression of ideas, recognise cohesive devices, and understand how information flows in English academic writing.

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Identify the topic sentence — it introduces the main idea without referring back to other sentences
  2. Look for sentences with reference words (this, these, such, it) — they must come after what they refer to
  3. Find logical pairs: a cause should precede its effect, a question before its answer
  4. Check for chronological or logical sequence markers: first, then, finally, however, as a result
  5. Place the most general sentence first and the most specific or concluding one last

Avoid These Mistakes

  • Starting with a sentence that contains a reference word (this, that, these) pointing to missing context
  • Not checking that pronouns correctly refer to nouns in the preceding sentence
  • Ignoring transitional phrases that signal the relationship between paragraphs
  • Placing a conclusion or summary sentence in the middle of the text
  • Trying to order by topic similarity rather than logical flow

Expert Tips

  • Practice by taking paragraphs from articles, scrambling them, and putting them back together
  • Learn common discourse markers and what they signal: contrast, addition, cause/effect, sequence
  • The first sentence usually doesn't start with a pronoun or transitional word like "However"
  • Read your final order through completely to check the text flows naturally
  • Pairs of sentences are often easier to identify than the full order — start by finding pairs

Frequently Asked Questions

How many text boxes are there?

Usually 4-5 text boxes that need to be arranged in the correct order.

Is partial credit given?

Yes, PTE uses partial credit scoring based on correct adjacent pairs of sentences.

What makes a good opening sentence?

A good opening sentence introduces the topic generally, doesn't contain reference words pointing to previous context, and doesn't start with transitional words like "However" or "Therefore".

Available in: PTE Academic (Score 10-90)

Time allowed: 2-3 minutes per item