Mastering the PTE Reading Re-order Paragraphs Task: Tips and Practice

The PTE Reading Re-order Paragraphs task is the third main question type of the PTE Reading section, where test-takers must rearrange the given jumbled sentences into a logical and meaningful paragraph. This question type assesses how you able to link the ideas in the given sentences in a synchronized and logical way applying coherence and cohesion with the help of linking words. The number of questions based on Reorder will be two to three in the READING section of the test, and you are recommended to spend only 1.5 to 2 minutes as the fill in the blanks are more crucial and are to be attempted after Reorder.

 

Understanding the Task

A set of four to five sentences are given in a random order. The test taker has to arrange the sentences in a logical order which provide a flow to the story. The main aim is to arrange the ideas in a meaningful way.

Key Strategies for Re-order Paragraphs

1. Identify the Topic Sentence:
The first step is to find the topic sentence or the stand-alone sentence which introduces the given topic. The stand-alone sentence is not referring to any prior sentence, it stands independently and usually avoid the transition words such as however, also, personal pronouns such as he, she, demonstrative pronouns for instance this, that, those, for example, for instance will help you to determine the starting of the paragraph.

2. Analyse Keywords
The second of our PTE Reading Re-order Paragraphs strategies is to examine vocabulary and grammar keyword words to identify connections between sentences' ideas. This involves examining transition words (e.g. 'moreover, additionally, however, also, whereas, but), articles ('a / an / the'), reference words such as personal and demonstrative pronouns (for example ‘this / those / they') and time sequence indicator words (Years, decades, initially, finally, eventually).

3. Recognize Sentence Links:
Once the topic sentence is found, one needs to analyze that how the other sentences will connect to each other. Identify clues like pronouns, time indicators, transitions words and pronoun that indicate logical flow.

4. Re-read and Check for Flow:
After you have organized the sentences, read the paragraph again to confirm that it flows naturally and logically. It is possible that this brief review can allow you to identify and correct any mistakes that could affect your score.
 

Improve Your Preparation
You need to practice to improve your skills. Sites such as Panacea provide practice exercises, video courses and live classes taught by experts. They also give you an effective guide for struggling readers.
By using these strategies consistently and practicing regularly, you can achieve high scores in the Re-order Paragraphs task—and in the PTE Reading section as a whole.

PTE Reading Re-order Paragraphs Free Practice Question 1

Read sentences A to E and rearrange them in a right order. First of all, try to identify the correct order before you go through the explanation. The first step is to find out the topic sentence.
 

A. Also they assume that the stock market automatically penalizes any corporation that invests its resources poorly.

B. They assume that they're using their shareholders' resources efficiently if the company's performance, especially ROE and earnings per share-is good and if the shareholders don't rebel.

C. The top executives of the large, mature, publicly held companies hold the conventional view when they stop to think of the equity owners' welfare.

D. So companies investing well grow, enriching themselves and shareholders alike, and ensure competitiveness; companies investing poorly shrink, resulting, perhaps, in the replacement of management.

E. In short, stock market performance and the company's financial performance are inexorably linked.

Answer: CBADE

Explanation:

C. "The top executives of the large, mature, publicly held companies hold the conventional view when they stop to think of the equity owners' welfare."
This is the topic sentence. It introduces the subject (top executives) and their viewpoint. It sets the context for what follows.

B. "They assume that they're using their shareholders' resources efficiently if the company's performance, especially ROE and earnings per share—is good and if the shareholders don't rebel."
"They" clearly refers back to "top executives" in sentence C. It explains what these executives assume—this sentence builds on the introduction.

A. "Also they assume that the stock market automatically penalizes any corporation that invests its resources poorly."
"Also" connects this with sentence B. It adds another assumption made by executives.

D. "So companies investing well grow, enriching themselves and shareholders alike, and ensure competitiveness; companies investing poorly shrink, resulting, perhaps, in the replacement of management."
"So" signals a result or consequence of what was mentioned in A. This sentence explains what happens when companies invest well or poorly.

E. "In short, stock market performance and the company's financial performance are inexorably linked."
This acts as a summary or conclusion, reinforcing the central idea that performance and market evaluation are closely tied.

PTE Reading Re-order Paragraphs Free Practice Question 2
A. That has been the recipe for private-equity groups during the past 200 years.

B. Add some generous helpings of debt, a few spoonful of management incentives and trim all the fat.

C. Leave to cook for five years and you have a feast of profits.

D. Take an underperforming company.

Answer: DBCA

Explanation:

D. "Take an underperforming company."
This is clearly the starting point of the "recipe". It introduces the subject and begins the cooking metaphor.

B. "Add some generous helpings of debt, a few spoonful of management incentives and trim all the fat."
This follows logically from D. It gives the next steps in the metaphorical recipe.

C. "Leave to cook for five years and you have a feast of profits."
This continues the recipe metaphor and shows the result of the previous steps. (Note: grammatical error here—you have → should be you have)

A. "That has been the recipe for private-equity groups during the past 200 years."
This is a summary/conclusion that refers back to the process described above using "That".

PTE Reading Re-order Paragraphs Free Practice Question 3

A. But since ivory-yielding species are now endangered and protected by treaty, plastics are now almost exclusively used.

B. Piano keys are generally made of spruce or basswood.

C. Traditionally, the sharps (black keys) were made from ebony and the flats (white keys) were covered with strips of ivory.

D. Spruce is normally used in high-quality pianos.

Answer: BDCA

Explanation:

C. "Traditionally, the sharps (black keys) were made from ebony and the flats (white keys) were covered with strips of ivory."
This introduces the historical context of materials used for piano keys.

A. "But since ivory-yielding species are now endangered and protected by treaty, plastics are now almost exclusively used."
This logically follows C, explaining why the traditional material (ivory) is no longer used. The connector "But" links it to the contrast with tradition.

B. "Piano keys are generally made of spruce or basswood."
This provides the current standard of materials used. It follows naturally after A.

D. "Spruce is normally used in high-quality pianos."
This sentence elaborates on B, specifying where spruce is preferred.