7 approaches you can use when dealing with Re-order paragraphs in the PTE Reading module

Background

Re-order Paragraphs is the second section of the Reading module. In this part, candidates need to put some random paragraphs in the right order. Candidates can drag and drop the paragraphs in any order they want. You will get 2-3 re-order paragraphs in your PTE test. There is no individual time limit for every item in the Reading module. You usually get between 32-41 minutes to do all the items in the Reading section and that is why candidates need to manage and prioritize their time in this section.

Time management

Do not spend more than two minutes on each Re-order paragraphs item.

Different approaches

Practice makes perfect when it comes to reading, but still there are some approaches you can pay attention to when it comes to doing these items.

First approach

Read all paragraphs from top to bottom and try to find a standalone sentence as your first paragraph. Also try to establish a link between two paragraphs and then examine the options.

Second approach

Look for transition words. Transition words make the shift from one idea to another very smooth. They organize and connect the sentences logically. Observing the transition words found in a sentence can often give you a clue about the sentence that will come before or after that particular sentence. Below are some commonly used transition words:

also, again, as well as, besides, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, similarly, consequently, hence, otherwise, subsequently, therefore, thus, as a rule, generally, for instance, for example, for one thing, above all, aside from, barring, besides, in other words, in short, instead, likewise, on one hand, on the other hand, rather, similarly, yet, but, however, still, nevertheless, first of all, to begin with, at the same time, for now, for the time being, in time, later on, meanwhile, next, then, soon, the meantime, later, while, earlier, simultaneously, afterwards, in conclusion, with this in mind, after all, all in all to sum-up.

Third approach

Remember that personal pronouns always refer to a person, place or thing etc. Personal pronouns are he, she, it, him, her, they, you, your etc. Therefore, if a sentence contains a personal pronoun without mentioning the person, place or object it is referring to, the person, place or object must have come in the previous sentence. Often, this is a good lead to identify a link.

Fourth approach

The demonstrative pronouns are “this,” “that,” “these,” and “those.” “This” and “that” are used to refer to singular nouns or noun phrases and “these” and “those” are used to refer to plural nouns and noun phrases. Whenever a sentence contains a demonstrative pronoun without mentioning the noun or the noun phrase, it means that the previous sentence must be mentioning that noun or noun phrase. Finding that noun or noun phrase helps us connect two sentences.

Fifth approach

Acronyms and short forms vs full forms. The rule is that if both full form as well as short form is present in different sentences, then the sentence containing full form will come before the sentence containing short form.

World Trade Organization – WTO

Dr. Karl Smiths – Dr. Smiths

Karl Marx – Marx

Sixth approach

Be aware of the time indication either by giving years – or by using time indicating words. Arrange the sentences using their proper time sequence. Here are a few time sequence indicating words -Before after later when.

Seventh approach

When the author uses ‘a / an’ – he wants to make a general statement – wants to introduce the noun followed by a/an for the first time but when he uses ‘the’ he wants to refer back to some previously discussed noun. It means having ‘the’ is very unlikely in the opening sentence. If ‘a/an’ and ‘the’ both are used for the same noun, then the sentence containing ‘the’ will come after the sentence containing a/an.

Source: www.lofoya.com

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