PTE Academic — Pearson Test of English
Take the PTE Reading — Reorder Paragraphs, Set 1: 20 multiple-choice questions (30 minutes) with instant scoring and a full answer review. Covers 20 PTE…
What this test covers
The first 5 questions of this test, with the correct answer and explanation.
Q1. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) As a result, sales of electric cars are rising quickly. B) This makes them more popular with younger buyers. C) In addition, they are cheaper to run than petrol cars. D) Electric cars have become much cheaper over the past decade.
Answer: D. D, C, B, A
Explanation: Correct order: D, C, B, A. The paragraph reads: Electric cars have become much cheaper over the past decade. In addition, they are cheaper to run than petrol cars. This makes them more popular with younger buyers. As a result, sales of electric cars are rising quickly.
Q2. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) Then they mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. B) First, bakers beat the butter and sugar together. C) Finally, the mixture is poured into a tin and baked. D) Next, the two mixtures are combined slowly.
Answer: D. B, A, D, C
Explanation: Correct order: B, A, D, C. The paragraph reads: First, bakers beat the butter and sugar together. Then they mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl. Next, the two mixtures are combined slowly. Finally, the mixture is poured into a tin and baked.
Q3. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) However, recent research suggests this is not always true. B) This shows that goldfish can remember things for months. C) In one study, goldfish learned to push a lever for food and still did so weeks later. D) For many years, people believed that goldfish have a memory of only three seconds.
Answer: A. D, A, C, B
Explanation: Correct order: D, A, C, B. The paragraph reads: For many years, people believed that goldfish have a memory of only three seconds. However, recent research suggests this is not always true. In one study, goldfish learned to push a lever for food and still did so weeks later. This shows that goldfish can remember things for months.
Q4. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) Since it opened, car journeys into the centre have fallen by a third. B) By the 2010s, journeys that once took ten minutes took forty. C) Traffic in the city centre had grown steadily for twenty years. D) The city responded by building a new metro line.
Answer: D. C, B, D, A
Explanation: Correct order: C, B, D, A. The paragraph reads: Traffic in the city centre had grown steadily for twenty years. By the 2010s, journeys that once took ten minutes took forty. The city responded by building a new metro line. Since it opened, car journeys into the centre have fallen by a third.
Q5. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) This dependence makes the food supply vulnerable to disease. B) For this reason, scientists are working to protect crop diversity. C) These include rice, wheat and maize. D) A small number of crops provide most of the world's calories.
Answer: A. D, C, A, B
Explanation: Correct order: D, C, A, B. The paragraph reads: A small number of crops provide most of the world's calories. These include rice, wheat and maize. This dependence makes the food supply vulnerable to disease. For this reason, scientists are working to protect crop diversity.
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Q6. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) There, she began her research on radioactivity. B) In 1891 she moved to Paris to study physics. C) Marie Curie was born in Warsaw in 1867. D) She went on to win two Nobel Prizes.
Q7. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) The sun heats water in oceans and lakes, turning it into vapour. B) This is called the water cycle. C) As the vapour rises and cools, it forms clouds. D) Eventually, the water falls back to Earth as rain or snow.
Q8. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) Over time, therefore, LEDs save money. B) LED bulbs cost more to buy than traditional bulbs. C) Nevertheless, they are becoming the most common choice. D) One reason is that they rarely need to be replaced.
Q9. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) The statement should explain the applicant's goals. B) Successful applicants will be notified by email in June. C) The university offers scholarships for international students. D) To apply, students must submit a personal statement.
Q10. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) The first text message was sent in 1992. B) Within a few years, it had spread to many countries. C) Today, billions of messages are sent every day. D) At first, few people used the service.
Q11. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) Camels are well adapted to life in the desert. B) Their wide feet also stop them from sinking into the sand. C) Their humps store fat, which can be converted into energy and water. D) This allows them to survive long periods without rain.
Q12. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) In the study, 200 volunteers were divided into two groups. B) The researchers then compared the two groups. C) One group exercised daily, while the other did not. D) They found that the first group slept significantly better.
Q13. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) Many students are afraid of making mistakes. B) Instead, they should be seen as a chance to learn. C) Teachers can help by rewarding effort as well as correct answers. D) However, mistakes are a normal part of learning.
Q14. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) It was finally completed in 1889. B) The Eiffel Tower was designed for the 1889 World's Fair in Paris. C) Construction began in 1887. D) Today it is one of the most visited monuments in the world.
Q15. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) Within two years, local honey production increased. B) In 2018 the pesticide was banned. C) Farmers in the region had used a pesticide that harmed bees. D) As a result, the bees' numbers in the area began to recover.
Q16. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) Many have large leaves to capture as much light as possible. B) Tall rainforest trees form a dense layer called the canopy. C) Plants on the forest floor have therefore adapted to shade. D) This means that less light reaches the ground.
Q17. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) Finally, check your answers before you finish. B) First, read every question carefully. C) Second, plan your time so that you do not rush. D) There are three keys to doing well in an exam.
Q18. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) The following year, the price increase was reversed. B) The company raised the price of its main product by 30 percent. C) Sales fell sharply as a result. D) Customers switched to cheaper competitors.
Q19. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) The spinal cord receives them and sends a message back. B) These signals travel along nerves at high speed. C) When you touch something hot, sensors in your skin send signals. D) Your muscles then pull your hand away.
Q20. Put these sentences in the correct order to form a paragraph: A) Many have since become popular tourist destinations. B) The most famous of these is K2, the second-highest mountain in the world. C) It stands on the border between Pakistan and China. D) Pakistan has five mountains higher than 8,000 metres.