Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks

Alfa PTE
18 May 2020

About Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks

For this item type, you need to select the most appropriate words from a drop-down list to restore the text

Task - A text appears on screen with several gaps. Drag words from the box below to fill the gaps.
Skills assessed - Reading
Prompt length - Text up to 300 words

There is a passage with some missing words. Beside each gap, there is a button with a drop-down list. Left-click on this button to reveal the drop-down list of options for that gap. Select the option you think best fills the gap.

To change your mind, left-click on a different option.

Test Tips:

Skim for overall meaning to help you choose the correct word:

Understanding the meaning of the whole text helps you choose the correct word for each blank. For example, if you skim the passage below, you will find key ideas and words which point to a main topic of ‘change’.

When you click on the drop down arrows, you may find options that are also related to the main topic. You can then check grammar and overall meaning to see whether the words fit the blanks:

Read before and after the blank to help you identify the correct word:

The choices in the drop-down menus may look quite similar but will have different meanings and usage. Looking at the surrounding context will help you choose the appropriate word. In the example below, only ‘access’ fits in the phrase ‘gained …………. to technologies’; pick words that match the meaning (gain access) and grammar (‘access to’). Reading either side of the blank will help you narrow down the choices you have to make:

Scan the text for the repeated words. Then read around them to find the answer more quickly:

How this question is scored:

Your response for Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks is judged on your ability to use contextual and grammatical cues to identify words that complete a reading text. If all blanks are filled correctly, you receive the maximum score points for this question type. If one or more blanks are filled incorrectly, partial credit scoring applies.

Note:

This question type affects the scoring of reading and writing.
Your listening and speaking skills are not tested by this question type.

Source: https://pearsonpte.com

Tips By ALFA:

Always begin with the first blank. If you are able to find the right option, great, otherwise move to the next blank and revisit the blanks you are not sure about later.

For each blank look at the options and consider how they fit in the context of the sentence.

Sometimes, all you have to do is pick the correct grammar form. In other cases, you also need to judge if the option you select makes logical sense in the sentence. It is a good idea to go through the options one by one and eliminate the wrong options.

Good vocabulary, grammar fundamentals, and knowing the common collocations will help you to fill in the blanks more accurately.

Reading skills can take some time to improve. Therefore we recommend our students develop a habit of daily reading. When reading any text, if you come across an unfamiliar word, make sure to note it down.

Your response for Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks is judged on your ability to use contextual and grammatical cues to identify words that complete a reading text.

If all blanks are filled correctly, you receive the maximum score points for this question type. If one or more blanks are filled incorrectly, partial credit scoring applies.