Question

Read the paragraph from an e-mail.

(1) The torrential rain that postponed the festival has finally ceased, but it left a trail of disaster. (2) Rescheduling the annual Pickle Palooza is going to be a huge undertaking. (3) The ceremonial pickle podium floated off during the downpour and hasn’t been seen since. (4) A flock of ducks have taken up residence on it and have been chasing off anyone who comes near them. (5) And, there is a puddle the size of a small lake where the festival field was.

What is the best way to reorganize the paragraph to make the writer’s viewpoint clear to the reader?

1, 3, 4, 2, 5
2, 1, 3, 5, 4
3, 1, 2, 4, 5
4, 5, 1, 2, 3

Answer 1

The best way to reorganize the paragraph to make the writer’s viewpoint clear to the reader is 1, 3, 4, 2, 5. This order allows the reader to first understand the impact of the torrential rain on the festival, and then to learn about the specific details of the damage.

Answer 2

The correct answer is answer B ("2, 1, 3, 5, 4").

In sentence number 2, the writer is introducing the main point she's trying to get across in the e-mail, which is that there's a specific problem with the rescheduling of an event.

Sentence number 1 would know let us understand what exactly is causing this problem: the torrential rain left a disaster behind.

Sentence number 3 follows up giving more details as to why this situation is a disaster and what the specific problem is: the ceremonial podium floated away.

In sentence number 5, we're being introduced to a new difficulty: a giant puddle.

Finally sentence number 4 is developing on the previous one, adding that now there's a flock of ducks in that puddle and they won't let anyone near the place.

Hope this helps!