The Complete Guide to Mastering PTE reading : Fill in the Blanks

Both types of fill-in-the-blank exercises are more challenging than they seem. These exercises impose the vocabulary and the phrasing, whereas some other tests allow you to employ formulas you are comfortable with, particularly in the Writing section. It does not mean you need to worry but to improve the right 3 skills thanks to training and tips adapted to these evaluations.

First, let’s see what to expect for each format.

The exercise

In PTE’s Reading section, you have to take two kinds of Fill in the blanks. In both cases, you need to select the correct terms among different choices to display in virtual keyboard interfaces. These interfaces are blanked words in the middle of sentences. You should expect 4 to 5 exercises of each type.

The first sort focuses on your reading skills. You have 8 possibilities to select from to fill in approximately 5 blanks. Hence, a few of the proposed responses are wrong and do not belong in the about 80-words text.

You need to pick and drag the right answer to the appropriate box. Indeed, you click and hold a word to drag and drop it where you estimate it fits. If you change your mind, just drag it back to where you took it from.

The second one tests your reading and writing abilities. You need to pick a word from a drop-down list with 4 options, so a sentence becomes correct. You repeat this process as many times as there are blanks in the around 300-word text. To change your answer, click on a different term in the list.

Most of the candidates struggle to crack the PTE exam. But following certain tips and tricks can help them score good marks in the PTE exam. Here, we are to help you regarding PTE exam preparation. In the PTE exam one such section "PTE reading Fill in Blanks" is where most candidates find it a little difficult.

What Is Expected From You

Skill #1: Reading

Skill #2: Vocabulary

Skill #3: Understanding Context with Logic

The range of subjects for these tests is limitless, and so should be your vocabulary.

Always read with a pen and paper to jot down new terms during your daily reading sessions. Yes, every day! This helps improve your vocabulary and reading skills to the required level.

Choose articles with a wide variety of topics. This helps you develop a broader understanding of English and adapt to different situations. It also enables you to grasp the main idea without getting stuck on specific words.

These skills are essential for doing your best in the PTE. Regular reading practice is necessary, but you also need a method for test day and vocabulary revision (link to our method).

Below are the prominent tips that could help you to score high numbers in PTE reading fill in blanks:

• Make sure to invest just only 2 minutes; - practice enough that you don't need to spend more than 2 minutes on this. Develop the habit of reading the passage in the minimum time frame. Here, the passage is short hence it becomes easy to skim through the whole passage. You shall get a brief idea of words, and context. Thus, investing less in reading passages is the key.
• Knowledge of technicalities - PTE is a computer-based exam thus knowledge of the technical part is mandatory. Make sure that you drop the right word in the blank. Post-filling the blanks check again if the blanks have been filled or not. Make sure that no blanks are left out. In case you want to change the answer then do it before clicking on the next button.
• Proficiency in grammar: - your knowledge of grammar can only help you to crack this reading fill-in-blanks section. Knowing about the adjective, adverb, noun, and verb prepositions is necessary. Many times the right answer can be cracked upon only if you know about tenses and collocation of words.
• Focusing on the vocabulary: - the English passage can involve subjects from academics to literature topics. Hence, not knowing any specific words can deprive you of scoring high numbers. Hence, focus on developing the habit of reading academic articles. Even possessing a mini dictionary and reading it on a regular basis is beneficial.
• Familiar with the Collocation of words: - to score the highest number in PTE reading fill in the blanks knowing the collocation of words is necessary. Collocation is a "predictable combination of words". They are made of words such as verbs, nouns, adverbs, and adjectives.
• Eliminating words: - the strategy is to guess the right word that seems to be correct. This strategy shall help when you don't know the correct answer. Make sure to eliminate the ones that are not close to the right answer.
• Selection of the right word that has approx. same meaning: - many times you come across two words that have the same meaning. So, no need to be confused and use the grammar strategy for it. Look out for the prepositions, and nouns with the blank. Secondly, focus on the context and choose the word that is more relevant to the context.

Conclusion

Mastering the PTE Reading: Fill in the Blanks exercises may seem challenging, but with the right approach and consistent practice, you can excel. These exercises test your vocabulary and phrasing skills, making it essential to enhance your reading abilities, vocabulary, and contextual understanding.

Key skills to focus on include:

1. Reading: Develop a habit of daily reading with a pen and paper to jot down new terms.
2. Vocabulary: Expand your vocabulary to cover a wide range of subjects.
3. Understanding Context with Logic: Practice understanding the context to make accurate word choices.

Regular practice and strategic preparation, such as limiting your time per question and using the elimination method, can significantly improve your performance. Remember, proficiency in grammar and familiarity with word collocations are crucial.

By following these tips and continuously working on your reading skills, you can confidently approach the PTE Reading section and achieve high scores. For more detailed guidance, refer to our article, "How To Get 6 out of 6 In PTE Write Essay Vocabulary.