Arrange the passage correctly:
(1) He allowed the mixture to steep for several minutes in order to create a strong, flavorful brew.
(2) He filled the electric kettle with clean water carefully and put it safely on the stove.
(3) Once the water had boiled, he poured measured quantities of tea leaves and sugar into it.
(4) And so, he poured the boiling tea into a scrubbed ceramic mug and served it hot.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
2 – 3 – 1 – 4
Explanation
This question requires you to arrange the steps of a process—making tea—in a logical, step-by-step chronological order.
Sentence 2 must be the opening step because filling a kettle with water is the foundational preparation required before you can heat water or add ingredients.
Sentence 3 logically follows sentence 2. The opening phrase "Once the water had boiled" establishes a direct connection to the heating process initiated in the previous step, allowing him to add the tea leaves and sugar.
Sentence 1 must come next because after adding the tea leaves to the boiling water, the tea needs time to sit and brew. The phrase "allowed the mixture to steep" describes this necessary waiting period to draw out the flavor.
Sentence 4 is the final step in the process. The transition phrase "And so" signals a conclusion, wrapped up by pouring the finished, hot tea into a mug to serve it.
Following this real-world, natural timeline gives the exact sequence of 2 – 3 – 1 – 4. Therefore, Option 1 is the correct choice.
Key Points
Paying attention to time transition markers and context clues makes reordering process paragraphs easy.
Look for logical order: heating water must happen before boiling, boiling must happen before adding leaves, steeping must happen before the flavor is ready, and serving is always the final step.
Connect phrases like "Once the water had boiled" directly to the sentence that mentions setting water to heat.