Understanding the Reading & Writing Dropdown: Fill in the Blanks Task in PTE Academic, UKVI & Core

The Dropdown: Fill in the Blanks task is a crucial component of the PTE (Pearson Test of English) exam’s Reading section, since it assesses your reading comprehension. This task assesses your comprehension skills while also examining your grammar, word choice, and word connections. Gaining mastery of this section can significantly improve your reading scores.

What is the Dropdown Fill in the Blanks task?

The PTE Reading section includes a comprehension test called Dropdown Fill in the Blanks. There are multiple blanks in the passage you will find in this exercise. For each blank, you must select the best response from a dropdown menu, making sure that your choices are both grammatically sound and appropriate for the passage’s context.
Note: This adds scores to the Reading and Writing sections of PTE Core and is called Reading and Writing Fill-in-the-Blanks.
Which skills are being evaluated here?
  • The connections and coherence of the sentences must be understood.
  • Knowing how to use different verb forms and grammar correctly.
  • Finding appropriate word combinations and linguistic structures.
  • Using situational cues to guide wise choices.
video-img

Types of Passages in the Dropdown: Fill in the Blanks PTE Task

While all fill-in-the-blank exercises ask you to complete a passage using the appropriate words, the types of texts and vocabulary required can vary. Knowing the type of text can help you predict its tone, structure, and style of speech, improving your accuracy.
Academic Texts:
These quotes are taken from academic sources and typically exhibit complex terminology and well-structured logic. Focus on academic expressions, grammatical constructions, and word combinations.
Examples: History, Biology, and Finance.
Informative or explanatory text:
These provide a clear explanation of an idea or procedure. To choose the best words, consider the relationships and connections between concepts.
Examples: Unnatural occurrences, fascinating cultural facts, and technological developments.
Argumentative or opinion-based text:
These present an opinion or examine opposing views. Words that indicate disagreements, logical reasoning, or whether or not you agree are rather common.
Examples: Policies, school regulations, and right and ethical standards.
Detailed descriptions or storytelling:
These sections discuss events, locations, or personal stories. Choosing words that fit the order style and ambiance.
Examples: Past adventures, the lives of fascinating people.
Texts that are vocabulary-focused:
Some sections are designed to assess your understanding of specific word combinations or grammar rules. The pairing of verbs with prepositions or adjectives with nouns can have an impact on word choice.
Examples: Speech patterns in workplace communication and media writing.

Reading and Writing Fill in the Blanks

Sample Question 1:

Time 00:00 sec
Practice with AI Scoring
Restart
Answer
Start

Sample Question 2:

Time 00:00 sec
Practice with AI Scoring
Restart
Answer
Start

Sample Question 3:

Time 00:00 sec
Practice with AI Scoring
Restart
Answer
Start
Practice more Sample Question
read-aloud-tips

Tips for Acing the PTE Reading & Writing (Dropdown): Fill in the Blanks Practice Task

Before you do anything else, make sure to read the entire passage
Don’t focus solely on the blank spaces. Knowing the text's main idea enables you to make logical guesses about the words.
Look for clues in the surrounding text
Paying attention to the way the sentences are put together, the words that precede and follow the blank, and the words that connect them, such as however, although, or for example.
Use what you know about word combinations and grammar
Keep an eye out for common collocations (such as make a decision and conduct research), prepositions, verb forms, and subject-verb agreement.
Avoid making rash decisions
Eliminate the options that are obviously incorrect if you are unsure. The term that best fits the context and grammar should be chosen.
Use Your Time Wisely
Because this is a reading task, keep an eye on the timer and avoid spending too much time on any one question.

How to Use Dropdown Effectively: Fill in the Blanks in PTE

Your answers will be accurate and sound good if you approach the task with diligence and knowledge.

Step-by-Step Strategy

Reading the entire text quickly:
To gain a basic understanding of its subject.
Consider each gap in its context:
Look closely at the sentence that has the missing word, paying particular attention to its overall tone and grammatical structure.
Use Elimination Techniques.
Remove any choices that don’t make sense or are grammatically incorrect if several seem to be correct.
Examine the relationships:
To maintain the flow, make sure the words blend in perfectly with the ones around them.
Review it before submitting:
If you have a moment, quickly review your completed work to ensure it is accurate and makes sense.
Reading the entire text quickly:
To gain a basic understanding of its subject.
Consider each gap in its context:
Look closely at the sentence that has the missing word, paying particular attention to its overall tone and grammatical structure.
Use Elimination Techniques.
Remove any choices that don’t make sense or are grammatically incorrect if several seem to be correct.
Examine the relationships:
To maintain the flow, make sure the words blend in perfectly with the ones around them.
Review it before submitting:
If you have a moment, quickly review your completed work to ensure it is accurate and makes sense.
Download Collocations for Reading
By familiarizing yourself with various passage types and practicing regularly, you can gain confidence in tackling the Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks task effectively, ultimately boosting your PTE Academic, UKVI, or Core score.

Use full video for Reading & Writing Dropdown

slider-img
slider-img
slider-img
slider-img
slider-img

Learn more about other questions

Your Guide to Every Section of the PTE Exam

icon
Speaking
Read AloudRepeat SentenceDescribe ImageRe-Tell Lecture (Academic / UKVI)Answer Short QuestionRespond to a Situation (Academic / UKVI)Summarize Group Discussion (Academic / UKVI)
Respond to a Situation (Core)
icon
Writing
Summarize Written TextWrite Essay
Write Email (Core)
icon
Reading
Fill in the Blanks (Drop Down)Multiple Choice, Multiple AnswersRe-order ParagraphsFill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop)Multiple Choice, Single Answer
icon
Listening
Summarize Spoken TextMultiple Choice, Multiple AnswersFill in the BlanksHighlight Correct SummaryMultiple Choice, Single AnswerSelect Missing WordHighlight Incorrect WordsWrite from Dictation

FAQs

Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions.

About 5-6 will probably be visible in the reading section. This is the initial task in the Reading section.

Texts may include academic content, real-life information, opinions, or descriptions.

There are no distinct timings for this task, because it is included in the overall reading time.

Yes, you are free to make changes up until you press the next button and submit your response.

Absolutely, because it checks your reading skills.
Note: It impacts writing scores and reading scores in PTE Core.
Your chances of performing well on this task can be increased by practicing frequently and employing astute strategies.