Despite being in the Reading section, the PTE Core Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks task requires a combination of two skills.

This complexity makes it challenging for some test-takers.

If you’re one of them, this guide by PTE Magic will help you score higher with some proven tips.

Let’s take a look.

Key Takeaways

• This PTE Core Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks part requires you to complete several gaps in a paragraph of up to 200 words.
• This task uses a partial scoring mechanism.
• To perform better, skim the text first and focus on grammatical and contextual cues.

Related:

• PTE Core preparation tips and tricks
• PTE Core Reading format and score chart
• PTE Core vs PTE Academic

About The PTE Core Reading And Writing – Fill In The Blanks Task

The Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks task belongs to the Reading section of the PTE test. 

Initially, you will see a paragraph of up to 200 words with several blank spaces. 

Besides each gap, there is a drop-down menu.

Your job is to select the correct word to fill in the blank.

You’re allowed to change your answer by selecting another word.

This task is more difficult than other items because it evaluates both reading and writing skills.

The words in the drop-down boxes usually come in the same word form.

In some cases, the provided words might have close meanings and usage.

This makes it challenging for test-takers to choose the right word choice.

There is no time limit for these questions.

This is a double-edged knife since candidates might spend too much time on this task.

Your response is assessed based on your ability to analyze grammatical and contextual hints to pinpoint the precise missing word.

This question type applies a partial scoring mechanism.

For every correct answer, you will receive 1 point.

Incorrect responses won’t get any marks.

6 Proven Tips For High Scores In This Task

Skim The Prompt To Get The Context

The first step is always to skim through the given paragraph to grasp the overall topic.

Understanding the main ideas empowers you to find the correct word that fits in the context.

By skimming, you can quickly identify the relevant information needed to fill in the gaps.

This saves you a lot of time, minimizing the risk of spending too much time on a single question.

Pay Attention To Grammatical Hints

Besides context, grammar gives you the second cue to identify the precise word. 

Focus on the text before and after the blank space to find grammatical hints.

In some cases, you can easily see phrasal verbs, collocations, or idioms.

Some popular noun and verb phrases can also give you a hint.

For example, “Last night, a thief … into my house.” 

The options include “breaks,” “broke,” “come,” and “came.” 

The common phrase is “break into,” so we can eliminate “come” and “came.”

Considering the tense, this sentence describes a past event, indicated by “last night.”

Therefore, the correct answer is “broke.”

Combining contextual and grammatical cues, you can find the right word that matches both criteria.

Apply Elimination Technique

When you are confused between different options, the elimination technique can help.

This technique requires you to pay attention to details, especially grammatical cues near the gap.

Look at the text before and after the missing word, and rule out options that don’t match the grammar or context.

For instance, “Lisa has … weight recently because she ate too much.”

The four options are “gained,” “gains,” “lost,” and “increased.”

It’s easy to eliminate “increased,” as common phrasal verbs are to gain/lose weight.

Now, let’s consider the context.

If someone eats too much, they can only gain weight.

So, we can cross out the “lost” word.

The correct answer here is “gained” because “have/has” must be followed by a past participle.

Focus On Word Forms And Transition Words

The word form is an important key to the correct response. 

You should identify if the missing word is a noun, an adjective, a verb, an adverb, or a specific tense.

For example, if the preceding word is an adjective, the following word is likely a noun.

Transition words, such as “however,” “although,” “therefore,” “additionally,” etc., are equally essential.

They show the relationships between ideas in the text.

Understanding the relationship helps you identify the right word.

Manage Your Time Wisely

As mentioned, there is no time limit for this task.

While this reduces time pressure for test-takers, they might allocate too much time to a question.

As such, the remaining time might not be enough to complete other tasks.

Make sure you don’t spend too much time on a single question.

If you can’t figure out the right word for a blank, move on to the next.

Practice, Practice, And Practice

Regular practice helps improve your vocabulary and flexibility when dealing with this part.

You can familiarize yourself with different topics and sharpen your elimination skills.

Additionally, don’t forget to learn new words, including their forms, meanings, and usage.

Where To Practice The Reading Fill In The Blanks Task?

A helpful way to perform better in this task is to take mock tests.

PTE Magic is a trusted place to practice with mock tests.

Our tests imitate the real format and timing with AI scoring.

So, you can get used to the examination easily.

If you have any questions, our trainers are willing to explain and give personalized feedback.

Conclusion

If you don’t prepare carefully, the PTE Core Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks can take you a lot of time to complete.

So, it’s advised to understand its format and manage your time wisely.

Don’t forget to apply the 6 tips above to get a higher score!