PTE Reorder Paragraphs
Put jumbled text boxes back into their original order, using the clues that hold a text together.
You see several short boxes of text in a random order. Your job is to rebuild the original text. The answer is hidden in small words: pronouns, linking words, articles and time expressions all show what comes before and after.
How the Task Works
A short text cut into boxes. Restore the order.
?The Task at a Glance
- Text Up to about 110 words, split into several boxes shown in a random order.
- Answer Move the boxes into the right order by dragging or with arrow buttons.
- Skill Reading only: understanding how a text is organised.
- Scoring Full marks for the complete order; partial credit if some boxes are in the wrong place.
Clues to Look For
Each clue links one box to another.
| Clue | What it tells you | Example |
|---|---|---|
| The first box | Introduces the topic and makes sense on its own | Many cities are introducing low-emission zones. |
| Pronouns | "It", "they", "this", "these" refer back to something already mentioned | These zones restrict older vehicles. |
| Articles | "A" introduces something new; "the" refers to something known | a study → the study |
| Linking words | "However", "as a result", "then" need an idea before them | However, critics point out… |
| Time and sequence | Order words show steps in a process | first → then → next → finally |
Practice: Three Texts
Move the boxes with the arrows, then check. In this practice you get one point for each pair of neighbouring boxes in the right order, so a nearly correct answer still scores.
Strategies
Work in pairs of boxes, not the whole text at once.
✓Five Tips
- Find the opener The first box introduces the topic and has no pronoun or linker pointing back.
- Build pairs Find two boxes that clearly belong together, then add the others around them.
- Follow references For every "this", "they" or "the", ask: what does it refer to? That box comes before.
- Check the ending Conclusions often start with "as a result", "therefore" or "this suggests".
- Read it through When you finish, read the whole text in your order. It should flow without jumps.
Small words hold texts together.
Pronouns, articles and linking words are the threads. Follow them and the order appears.
Opener. Pairs. References. Read through.
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