What Is the PTE Reorder Paragraph Task? Complete Guide

The PTE Reorder paragraph question in the exam is a simple but tricky part of the reading section. In the reading section, you would come across 2 or 3 questions where you need to reorder paragraphs. It tests your ability to understand ideas mentioned in the text. This guide will help you understand the different passage types of reorder paragraph questions. It will also give you the right techniques, such as taking a PTE mock test daily, identifying your weaknesses, and working on your strengths. These tips help you accomplish this section effectively.

PTE Reorder Paragraph: An Overview

The reorder paragraph question is a crucial part of the PTE Academic test. In this, you are provided with 4 to 5 shuffled sentences. Your main task is to arrange them in the proper sequence through drag and drop to form a paragraph. This particular question tests your ability to understand the flow of the passage. This question carries about 9 per cent weightage of your total Reading score. The key feature of this task:

• There will be 2-3 such questions, which will appear in the reading section of the PTE Academic exam. The scrambled sentences appear on the left-hand side, and you drag them to the right to make a proper order of the sentence arrangement.
• There are scores allotted for proper neighbouring pair arrangement (for instance, arranging sentence A before sentence B) rather than making a perfect arrangement of the sentences. No negative scoring is involved in this question type.
• Sentences have a chronological order, a cause-and-effect relationship, or go from general to specific. Try to give around 1.5 to 2 minutes per question.

Types of Passages in the Questions

Students can expect four types of passages when answering the Reorder paragraph questions in the PTE reading exam. These passages share an organised and logical structure that creates a basic introduction to precise details. Students need to connect all clues to find the right order of the given sentences. Here is the information regarding each passage type:

Chronological Order

In these passages, you will find a sequence of events that take place during a certain period. You need to identify the time indicators, such as “first,” “then,” “after,” or specific dates. Students need to understand the timings of all events using the tenses to frame the correct structure of the paragraph.

Problem &Amp; Solution

This type of passage in the PTE reorder paragraph indicates some problem in one or two sentences, followed by possible solutions or conclusions. Thus, you should start these questions by recognising the issues. Identification of the problem helps structure the rest of the paragraphs.

General to Specific

Another prominent type of passage in this question is general-to-specific. Therefore, the sentences in this paragraph often start with a basic idea or an overview, which is followed by some crucial details or examples. Firstly, you should write the general idea and then add the details.

Cause &Amp; Effect

In this type of question, there is one sentence that states the cause and another that states the effect. It is your job to match the cause with its effect to get the right answer. Students should focus on identifying the link between any problem and its implications while reading to save time and locate the right option.

Expert Tips to Prepare for Reorder Paragraphs?

Preparing for the PTE Reorder paragraph requires students to understand different types of passages that they will encounter on the exam day. In addition, it is important to employ the right strategies to attempt these questions. These proven strategies include:

Understand Topic Sentences

The first step is to identify the topic of the sentences. It helps you identify the main idea of the paragraph without referring to previous sentences. Find the sentence that is independent and does not begin with a pronoun like he, they, or this. It makes the process of understanding the main gist of the paragraph easier.

Look for Logical Flow

While practising PTE reading reorder paragraphs, try to understand the sequence of the sentences. Try to figure out the logical sequence. Is there a sequence of events, or is it cause and effect, or illustration in the paragraph? Also, find the natural sequence of ideas that unfold the story or explanation step by step.

Identify Grammatical Links

Sentences with pronouns like “this,” “these,” “it,” or “such” follow a sentence that clearly refers to a noun. For example, when “climate change” is mentioned, followed by “This problem...,” the latter depends on the former. Use these connections to ascertain the correct sequence.

Focus on Transition Words

When reading the paragraph, the candidate should focus on finding transition words because they act as main connectors. Words such as “however,” “therefore,” “furthermore,” and “meanwhile” highlight the relationship between concepts. These words will be used in determining the type of relationship that exists in a sentence, such as contrast, reasoning, or addition.

Practice With Mock Tests

For the reordering of paragraphs in the PTE reading section, you can prepare using a full PTE mock test that is available on websites, such as Gradding. The test format is a replica of the PTE reading section. You can also prepare for the test through free question-based practice exercises.

Final Thoughts

In a nutshell, to attempt the PTE Reorder Paragraph section in the reading part, it is important for one to pay attention to the correct flow of ideas and connecting words that are used. These strategies help candidates find those pairs of sentences that belong with one another. Additionally, it helps you score points even when you get one right answer. Although the question is complex, with the right guidance and consistent PTE practice with Gradding’s mock test, one will achieve this in no time. So, start preparing for each section separately to boost your overall scores in the exam.