1:01:41
Score Big in PTE Reading: Cracking Reorder Paragraphs for 90
Brisbane PTE
Overview
This video explains the 'Reorder Paragraph' section of the PTE Reading test, which contributes 7% to the reading score and is crucial for achieving 79+ scores. It details the task, which involves rearranging jumbled paragraphs into the correct sequence. The video outlines important facts like the number of questions, time limit per question (2 minutes), and paragraph count (4 or 5). It thoroughly explains the marking criteria, emphasizing that scores are based on correct adjacent pairs of paragraphs. Finally, it introduces several strategies for identifying correct paragraph sequences, including common word approach, zigzag approach, pronoun rule, full form vs. short form, and question-answer approach, while also stressing the importance of common sense and natural flow.
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Chapters
- The Reorder Paragraph task is part of the PTE Reading section.
- It accounts for 7% of the total reading score, making it important for high scorers (79+).
- The task requires rearranging jumbled paragraphs into their correct logical sequence.
- Answers are submitted by dragging and dropping paragraphs into the desired order.
Understanding the importance and basic mechanics of this task is the first step to developing effective strategies for success.
- Expect 2-3 Reorder Paragraph questions per test.
- Allocate a maximum of 2 minutes to solve each question to manage time effectively for other sections.
- Questions can consist of either 4 or 5 paragraphs.
- Practice under timed conditions to build speed and efficiency.
Adhering to time limits and understanding question format prevents time mismanagement and ensures adequate focus on higher-scoring sections.
- Scoring is based on correctly identified adjacent pairs of paragraphs, not individual paragraphs.
- For 4 paragraphs, there are 3 possible pairs (1-2, 2-3, 3-4).
- For 5 paragraphs, there are 4 possible pairs (1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5).
- Each correctly ordered pair earns one point; incorrect pairs earn no points.
Knowing that pairs are scored helps learners focus on the relationship between consecutive paragraphs rather than just identifying the first or last sentence.
If the correct sequence is 1-2-3-4, and a student answers 4-2-3-1, they only get points for the '2-3' pair, resulting in 1 out of 3 possible points.
- Use common sense to build a logical 'story' or flow between paragraphs.
- Identify the first paragraph by looking for sentences that introduce a topic without referring to prior information.
- Avoid sentences starting with phrases like 'this,' 'that,' 'however,' 'as a result,' or 'the other' if the subject hasn't been introduced.
- Sentences that introduce a general topic or a problem are often the starting point.
Effectively identifying the opening paragraph is the crucial first step in reconstructing the entire sequence.
In the example provided, 'The European Union has two big fish problems' is identified as the first sentence because other options start with incomplete references like 'both problems' or 'the other'.
- After finding the first paragraph, ask 'what,' 'how,' or 'why' questions about its content.
- Look for another paragraph that answers these questions, indicating the second paragraph in the sequence.
- Continue this process, looking for logical connections and explanations between subsequent paragraphs.
This method helps to create a coherent narrative by establishing cause-and-effect or question-and-answer relationships between paragraphs.
Following 'The European Union has two big fish problems,' the paragraph explaining 'One is that...' answers the 'what' question, establishing it as the second paragraph.
- Focus on finding pairs of paragraphs that logically connect.
- Five methods are presented to identify these pairs and their order.
Since scoring is based on pairs, mastering techniques to identify these connections is essential for maximizing points.
- Look for repeated keywords or phrases across different paragraphs.
- The presence of common words suggests a potential pair.
- Use the article rule (a/an -> the -> this/that) before the common word to determine the sequence within the pair.
This technique leverages lexical cohesion to link related ideas, helping to form correct adjacent pairs.
If paragraph B mentions 'a system' and paragraph D mentions 'the system' or 'this system' in relation to 'structures,' B and D are likely a pair, with D preceding B if it introduces the system first (e.g., 'developed a system').
- Identify a common word that appears at the end of one paragraph and the beginning of another.
- The paragraph ending with the word typically comes before the paragraph starting with it.
- This method often reflects how the object of one sentence becomes the subject of the next.
This strategy helps identify sequential relationships where the conclusion of one thought directly leads into the next.
If paragraph A ends with 'blood clot' and paragraph B begins with 'clot,' then A likely precedes B.
- Follow the sequence: full name -> first name -> pronouns (he, she, him, her).
- A person or entity is usually introduced with their full name first.
- Subsequent references will use the first name, followed by pronouns.
Understanding pronoun usage helps establish the correct order, as references typically become more specific before becoming more general.
If paragraph B mentions 'Ni Tan' (full name) and paragraph A mentions 'Ni' (first name), B should come before A.
- When an abbreviation or short form appears in one paragraph and its full form in another, they form a pair.
- The full form always precedes the short form.
- This is because the full form introduces and defines the abbreviation.
This rule helps sequence information where an acronym or shortened term is introduced and then used.
A paragraph defining 'ATM' as 'Automated Teller Machine' would come before a paragraph simply using 'ATM'.
- Identify a paragraph that poses a question.
- Find the paragraph that provides the answer to that question.
- The question paragraph always comes before the answer paragraph.
This straightforward method links related ideas by identifying direct question-answer relationships.
A paragraph asking 'Do lobsters feel pain?' would precede a paragraph explaining 'The debate centers on...' or providing evidence.
- No single strategy works for all questions; sometimes strategies may not apply.
- Always prioritize common sense and what sounds most natural when reading the paragraphs in sequence.
- If unsure, apply the discussed strategies, but trust your intuition about the logical flow.
- Practice is key to developing this natural feel for paragraph order.
Ultimately, the goal is a coherent and logical text, and a learner's intuitive understanding of flow is a powerful tool.
In practice, even without explicit strategy cues, a learner might arrange paragraphs based on whether the narrative 'feels right' or makes logical sense.
- The video includes several practice examples demonstrating the application of the strategies.
- The importance of this section is relative: crucial for 79+ scores, less so for lower targets (50-65).
- Consistent practice is recommended to improve accuracy and speed.
- Don't be discouraged by initial difficulties; focus on developing a feel for natural flow.
Applying learned strategies through practice reinforces understanding and builds confidence, while realistic expectations are set for different score targets.
The practice questions show how to identify the first sentence, build sequences, and form pairs using the discussed methods.
Key takeaways
- Reorder Paragraphs tests your ability to logically sequence jumbled text, crucial for high PTE scores.
- Scoring is based on correctly identifying adjacent paragraph pairs, not individual sentences.
- Effective time management (max 2 minutes per question) is vital.
- Start by identifying the introductory paragraph, which lacks references to prior information.
- Look for logical connections like cause-effect, question-answer, or pronoun references to build the sequence.
- Mastering techniques like the common word, zigzag, pronoun, and Q&A approaches helps identify paragraph pairs.
- Ultimately, common sense and a natural flow are the most important guides for ordering paragraphs.
- Consistent practice is key to improving performance and developing an intuitive sense for paragraph order.
Key terms
Reorder ParagraphPTE ReadingJumbled paragraphsSequenceAdjacent pairsMarking criteriaCommon word approachZigzag approachPronoun ruleFull form vs. short formQuestion and answer approachCommon sense
Test your understanding
- How does the PTE scoring system specifically award points for the Reorder Paragraph task?
- What are the key indicators that suggest a paragraph is likely the first in a sequence?
- Explain how the 'common word approach' and the 'article rule' work together to determine the order within a paragraph pair.
- Why is it important to prioritize common sense and natural flow over strictly applying memorized strategies when solving Reorder Paragraph questions?
- How does the marking system for Reorder Paragraphs differ for passages with four paragraphs versus those with five paragraphs?