Reading · Question type
PTE Re-order Paragraphs
Re-order Paragraphs gives you jumbled text boxes; you arrange them into the original logical order of the paragraph set.
See it first
Watch Re-order Paragraphs run.
This is the real sequence, sped up: the clock, the audio and the recording window. Press play, then read how to beat it.
Put the boxes in the right order
What it is
What you actually do.
Several text boxes appear in random order. You drag them into a sequence that restores coherent academic paragraph flow.
The skill is discourse reading: topic introduction, reference chains, cause–effect, and chronological or argument structure.
You do not need outside knowledge of the subject, only the internal logic of the sentences provided.
How it’s scored
What the computer marks.
Scoring commonly rewards correct adjacent pairs (links), not only a fully perfect sequence. Exact rules are Pearson’s.
Getting several pairwise links right can still earn partial credit even if the whole order is not perfect.
Unofficial “2 points per pair” charts are coaching heuristics unless confirmed officially.
How to do it well
The moves that hold up.
Under the clock, these are the habits that keep you calm and on task.
Find the independent topic sentence (usually no pronoun pointing backward, introducing the theme).
Track pronouns (this, these, such, they) and ask what noun they must follow.
Use connectors: however (contrast), therefore (result), for example (after a claim), meanwhile (parallel time).
Look for article shifts: a/an for first mention, the for known references.
Build chains from the strongest link outward rather than random swapping.
After ordering, read top to bottom as one text; fix any break in logic.
If two orders seem possible, prefer the one with smoother reference resolution.
Common mistakes
What costs marks.
Most people lose points the same way. Know these before test day.
Choosing a detail sentence as the opener because it looks “interesting.”
Ignoring pronoun anchors and sorting by similar keywords only.
Giving up after one pass instead of testing an alternative opener.
Spending disproportionate section time for marginal gains.
How to practice
Make it automatic.
Volume under exam conditions is what moves the score. Do this, not more reading.
Practice identifying openers in well-written editorials, then shuffle and rebuild.
Keep a checklist: opener → definition/claim → evidence → qualification/conclusion.
Drill on Wobzzy free re-order sets until pairwise thinking feels automatic.
Keep going
Related tasks.
Answers
Frequently asked questions
Many coaching sources describe adjacent-pair credit. Treat that as commonly taught guidance and verify with Pearson’s official scoring information when needed.
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