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Practice Reading: Re-order Paragraphs ID: #5548 Roman State
Instructions ›
The text boxes in the left panel have been placed in a random order. Restore the original order by dragging the text boxes from the left panel to the right panel.
* Move & order all paragraphs in the right field

Paragraph list

Now, Polybius, if we forget Aristotle for the moment, was to become the main authority on the three types of constitution and the cycles through which they pass, becoming more corrupt as they do so: kingship turns into tyranny, aristocracy to oligarchy, and democracy into mob rule.
The constitution was then at its healthiest, while that of the Carthaginians was already in decline because, in Polybius' opinion it was becoming more democratic.
Polybius believed that this progression could be halted at least temporarily by keeping the three elements held in some kind of balance, and the Romans achieved this not by abstract reasoning but by trial and error.
The Roman state was tested almost to destruction by the defeat at Cannae by the Carthaginians led by Hannibal - and according to the historian Polybius it was only what he called the "peculiar virtues" of the Roman constitution that allowed it to survive this crisis.

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First sentence: Why this is the first line? This paragraph is the first line because it introduces the main topic of the Roman state and its crisis. It sets the stage for the discussion about Polybius and the Roman constitution. It does not refer to any previous information, making it an independent sentence. This follows the rule of Topic Sentence. Why other lines are not chosen? Paragraph 2 starts with "The constitution" which is not independent because it uses the definite article "the". Paragraph 3 starts with "Now, Polybius" which is not independent because it uses a pronoun "he" that refers back to Polybius. Paragraph 4 starts with "Polybius believed" which is not independent because it refers back to Polybius without introducing him first.

Concluding sentence: Why this is the last line? This paragraph is the last line because it summarizes Polybius's belief about the balance of the three elements in the constitution. It wraps up the discussion and reflects the overarching theme of the text. This follows the Summary Style rule.

Paragraph pairs:

  • Pair 1 (Paragraph 1 → Paragraph 2): Paragraph 2 connects to Paragraph 1 because it continues the discussion about the Roman constitution. It uses the connector "while" to show the contrast between the Roman constitution and that of the Carthaginians. This follows the Contrast rule.
  • Pair 2 (Paragraph 2 → Paragraph 3): Paragraph 3 connects to Paragraph 2 because it introduces Polybius as the main authority on constitutions. This follows the Broader to Specific Strategy, as it moves from the specific situation of the Roman constitution to a broader discussion about types of constitutions.
  • Pair 3 (Paragraph 3 → Paragraph 4): Paragraph 4 connects to Paragraph 3 because it discusses Polybius's belief about balancing the three elements of constitution. This follows the Logical Order rule, as it presents Polybius's ideas in a clear progression.
  • Pair 4 (Paragraph 4 → Paragraph 5): This pair does not connect to another paragraph because it is the last paragraph. It concludes the discussion about Polybius's ideas.

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