Skim All Paragraphs for General Understanding:
Begin by quickly reading through each paragraph once. Do not attempt to order them immediately. Instead, focus on identifying the central topic, the main theme, and any repeated terms. For “Renewable Energy Trends,” you might spot words such as “solar,” “wind,” “growth,” or “transition.” The goal here is to get an overview of what the entire text is about. Try to notice if one paragraph introduces the overall topic—such as mentioning the rise of renewables globally—or if any paragraphs sound like summaries or conclusions. The fastest way to spot the introduction is to look for the paragraph that gives context without referencing earlier information. Training your mind to find the “big picture” first will make re-ordering much easier later.
Example: A paragraph saying “Renewable energy sources are rapidly changing the global energy landscape” is likely the introduction.

Identify the Topic Sentence or Introduction:
Every academic passage has a beginning that introduces the main subject. Look for the paragraph that presents the broad context, usually without referring back to any previous points. In “Renewable Energy Trends,” the introductory paragraph may mention global changes, increasing investments, or public policy shifts. These sentences rarely use reference words like “this,” “these,” or “such.” Instead, they often have a wide scope, establishing the foundation for more specific paragraphs to follow. Spotting the introduction is critical—it is nearly always the first piece of the logical sequence in PTE Academic.
Example: “In recent years, the adoption of renewable energy sources has accelerated worldwide.”

Locate the Concluding or Summary Paragraph:
The final paragraph typically summarizes the passage, provides an overall assessment, or looks ahead to future trends. Common clues include phrases like “ultimately,” “in summary,” or “looking ahead.” In a renewable energy passage, the conclusion might emphasize the continued importance of investment or note the challenges that remain. This paragraph should not introduce new evidence, and it often draws together ideas from previous sections, giving closure to the text.
Example: “Ultimately, the future of renewable energy will depend on continued innovation and supportive government policies.”

Spot Logical Connectors and Sequence Words:
Pay special attention to transition words and connectors like “however,” “for example,” “as a result,” “in contrast,” and “additionally.” These provide valuable hints about which paragraph should follow another. A paragraph beginning with “However, challenges remain…” cannot logically come first—it must follow a statement about progress or success. Words like “for instance” indicate that an example is about to follow, so look for the idea it’s illustrating in a previous paragraph. The correct sequence creates a natural flow, where connectors bridge ideas smoothly.
Example: “However, storage limitations still pose barriers to wind and solar integration.” This must follow something positive.

Match Reference Words to Their Antecedents:
Reference words—such as “this trend,” “these sources,” or “such investments”—must clearly refer to something already mentioned. If you see “these technologies,” ask yourself: which technologies? Find the earlier paragraph that introduces them. Reference words are powerful clues for paragraph order: they almost never appear in the introduction and are rarely found in the conclusion. Correct sequencing ensures every reference is clear, never ambiguous.
Example: “This growth” must refer to a growth described in an earlier paragraph.

Determine Cause-and-Effect Relationships:
Academic passages often explain why things happen (cause) and what results they produce (effect). The cause typically comes before the effect. In “Renewable Energy Trends,” one paragraph might explain a rise in government subsidies, while the next discusses increased solar installations as a result. Identifying these relationships helps you link the correct order.
Example: “Due to falling costs, solar power has seen unprecedented growth.” Place this after a paragraph on technological advances.

Order Supporting Details Logically:
Once you’ve placed the introduction and conclusion, arrange the middle paragraphs according to logical development. These often contain supporting evidence, data, examples, or contrasting views. In a renewable energy passage, this might mean first discussing overall trends, then specific technologies (solar, wind), and finally the remaining challenges. Academic writing often moves from general to specific, then to evaluation or prediction.
Example: A paragraph about global investment may come before a specific discussion of solar energy advances.

Read Your Proposed Order for Flow and Coherence:
After arranging the paragraphs, read them in order as a single passage. Ask yourself: Does the text make logical sense? Are all references and pronouns clear? Do the ideas progress naturally, without jumps or awkward transitions? A smooth, academic flow is a strong sign you’ve found the right sequence. If something feels “off,” re-examine connectors and reference words.
Example: Check if the cause comes before the effect, and general ideas lead to specific details.

Check for Redundancy and Repetition:
Make sure no paragraph repeats information already covered, or introduces something that has not been logically prepared for. Redundancy often signals paragraphs are out of order. The best sequences have no “jumps”—every idea builds on what comes before. In PTE Academic, avoid placing two contrasting ideas together without a transition.
Example: A paragraph that starts with “in addition” should not follow a paragraph that was not already on the same topic.

Practice Regularly with a Variety of Topics!
The key to mastering Re-order Paragraphs is practice. Use academic topics like “Renewable Energy Trends” to build your skill. Over time, you’ll develop an intuition for paragraph structure, logical sequence, and the flow of academic writing. The more you practice, the more easily you’ll spot introductions, conclusions, connectors, and reference patterns. Review answer explanations to learn the “why” behind each order—this will boost your score and confidence!
Example: Work with friends or study groups to challenge each other with new re-order tasks every week.