Reading
Put sentences in order
Seemile Easy TOPIK I · reading · pp. 119–122
Understand the task
Sentence ordering tests the links that make a paragraph coherent. A general introductory sentence can start a paragraph, while 그 컵, 이런 생활 or 그래서 usually depends on something already introduced. Use the answer options to narrow down the possible first sentence, then test the relationships between adjacent sentences.
Start with the sentence that introduces the topic. Then follow time expressions and references that depend on earlier information.
How to solve this question type
- Compare the candidate first sentences. A reference such as 그 or 이런 usually needs an earlier noun or situation.
- Build strong pairs: a problem followed by 그래서 and a solution, or an action followed by a time expression showing its result.
- Read your complete order once. Each sentence should connect backward and forward, not merely sound natural on its own.
Grammar and expressions
그 N / 이런 N
Refer back to an established thing or situation. Identify the earlier reference.
컵을 샀습니다. 그 컵을 쓰려고 합니다.
I bought a cup. I intend to use that cup.
그래서 / 그런데 / 또
Use the relationship, not just a word’s dictionary translation: result, shift/contrast or an additional related point.
종이컵은 쓰레기가 됩니다. 그래서 컵을 샀습니다.
Paper cups become waste. So I bought a cup.
V-(으)ㄴ 후에
Place a later event after an earlier completed event.
버스를 탄 후에 친구에게 전화했습니다.
After boarding the bus, I called my friend.
Vocabulary for this type
- 먼저
- first
- 다음에
- next
- 이제부터
- from now on
- 삼십 분 후에
- thirty minutes later
- 도착하다
- to arrive
- 쓰레기
- rubbish or waste
A worked example
종이컵을 많이 썼습니다. 그런데 쓰레기가 됩니다. 그래서 컵을 샀습니다. 이제부터 그 컵을 쓰려고 합니다.
I used many paper cups. However, they become waste. So I bought a cup. From now on I intend to use that cup.
- The initial habit introduces the topic.
- The problem explains the purchase, so 그래서 follows the problem rather than preceding it.
- 그 컵 points back to the newly purchased cup and therefore belongs after that purchase.
Try it yourself
Practice 1
(가) 그리고 버스를 탔습니다. (나) 아침에 집에서 나왔습니다. (다) 삼십 분 후에 회사에 도착했습니다.
(A) Then I boarded a bus. (B) I left home in the morning. (C) Thirty minutes later I arrived at work.
Choose the most natural order.
- 가 → 다 → 나
- 다 → 나 → 가
- 나 → 가 → 다
- 가 → 나 → 다
Answer and explanation
3. 나 → 가 → 다
The person leaves home, then boards the bus and arrives thirty minutes later.
- It boards the bus, arrives, then leaves home; the sequence is impossible in this context.
- It begins with the final arrival before establishing the journey.
- Leaving home → boarding the bus → arriving is the coherent sequence.
- It places boarding before leaving home and breaks the journey sequence.
Review your reasoning
- Option 1: It boards the bus, arrives, then leaves home; the sequence is impossible in this context.
- Option 2: It begins with the final arrival before establishing the journey.
- Option 3: Leaving home → boarding the bus → arriving is the coherent sequence.
- Option 4: It places boarding before leaving home and breaks the journey sequence.
Try the question again with the explanation closed. Identify the exact phrase that supports the answer, then explain which detail makes each other option unsuitable.