PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks | 10+ Practice Samples 2026

What Is PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks?

The PTE reading section features a fill in the blanks question type, in which test-takers see a passage of up to 80 words with multiple blank spaces. Below this passage, a blue box appears that includes 6 to 8 options, generally more words than the blanks to be filled. Students are required to drag and drop the correct word into each gap.

This task is designed to assess three core skills:

• Vocabulary
• Grammarly
• Reading Comprehension

The key highlight for students is not to confuse this task with PTE Reading and Writing Fill in the blanks. Both tasks look similar, but are scored and attempted in their own way.

The PTE reading fill-in-the-blanks uses the drag-and-drop method and is designed to assess reading skills only. On the other hand, the Reading and Writing Fill in the blanks task uses a dropdown menu and contributes to the scoring of reading and writing scores.

How does PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks Scoring Work?

The best part about the reading fill-in-the-blanks task is its partial scoring method. Simply stated, every blank in the passage is scored independently, and you are rewarded 1 point for every 1 correct blank.

This scoring method makes it important for test-takers to approach this task in a more informed manner. For better results, students are recommended to avoid leaving a blank unanswered, as it guarantees a zero. Instead, even if you are unsure, make a guess, as there is no negative marking, and filling all the banks might help you score more. 

PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks

In the PTE Reading fill in the blanks question, the candidate is required to fill in the blanks in the passage with appropriate words.

• A prompt of up to 80 words will be given with the blanks.
• The candidate must drag a word from a box provided below and drop it in the gap.
• The task evaluates the reading skills of an individual.

How to Answer This Type of Question?

To answer these, the candidate is required to drag and drop the missing word to complete the passage. Let us see how it works.

• A list of words in the blue box is given to fill in the blanks. However, the number of words provided is more than the gaps.
• The candidate must left-click on a word to select and then drag the word to the gap to place it.
• If you change your mind and wish to remove a word from a gap, then you must drag it back to the blue box.
• Using your knowledge of grammar and vocabulary in the task will help you get the answers.

Thus, following these few approaches will help you ace the PTE reading fill in the blanks task. Further, let us see some samples for reading fill in the blanks for PTE.

10 + PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks Samples with Answers

Here are the sample questions of PTE reading fill in the blanks task, by which you can get an idea of the pattern of the task.

Sample 1:

There are varied opinions regarding the 1. ____ of entrepreneurship. Some people do not consider owners of small businesses to be 2. ____, while others claim the two are not entirely different. For instance, if a business owner 3. ____ an existing venture concept to 4. ____ a service or product to new markets or regions, such activity still 5. ____ entrepreneurship.

Fill in the blanks:

definition	constitutes
Entrepreneurs	utilizes
checks	comprises
introduce	businessman

Answer:

There are varied opinions regarding the definition of entrepreneurship. Some people do not consider owners of small businesses to be entrepreneurs, while others claim the two are not entirely different. For instance, if a business owner utilizes an existing venture concept to introduce a service or product to new markets or regions, such an activity still constitutes entrepreneurship.

Read more about: Tips to prepare for PTE exam

Sample 2:

Farthest to the east, Sword Beach boasts the original Pegasus Bridge, preserved at the Pegasus Bridge Museum. The museum 1. ____ the story of all the British airborne operations in the Battle of Normandy, including the 2. ____ of Horsa gliders just yards from the bridge. Visitors can walk the actual bridge behind the museum to see a 3. ____ dedicated to a British soldier killed during the 4. ____ on Sword Beach, and view WWII-vintage vehicles, a bailey bridge and the remains of a Horsa glider.

Fill in the blanks:

Defense	assault
landing	tells
plaque	articulates

Answer:

Farthest to the east, Sword Beach boasts the original Pegasus Bridge, preserved at the Pegasus Bridge Museum. The museum tells the story of all the British airborne operations in the Battle of Normandy, including the landing of Horsa gliders just yards from the bridge. Visitors can walk the actual bridge behind the museum to see a plaque dedicated to a British soldier killed during the assault on Sword Beach, and view WWII-vintage vehicles, a bailey bridge and the remains of a Horsa glider.

Sample 3:

Science blogs serve a dual purpose. First, they connect scientists to each other, 1._______ as modern day intellectual salons. Even 2.______ scientific papers are now beginning to 3._______ blogs as references. Second, they connect scientists to the general 4.______, offering a behind-the-scenes 5._____ at how science progresses.

Fill in the blanks:

public	look
World	prescribed
formal	view
cite	Serving

Answer:

Science blogs serve a dual purpose. First, they connect scientists to each other, serving as modern day intellectual salons. Even formal scientific papers are now beginning to cite blogs as references. Second, they connect scientists to the general public, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how science progresses.

Sample 4:

Deforestation remains one of the most [1] _______ environmental challenges facing the world today. When forests are cleared, they release stored carbon into the atmosphere, [2] _______   to rising global temperatures. Governments and environmental organisations have repeatedly called for [3] _______   policies to protect old-growth forests. Despite these efforts, the rate of tree loss continues to [4] _______ in several tropical regions.

Fill in the blanks:

pressing	flexible
minor	leading
accelerate	contributing
stringent	decline

Answer:

Deforestation remains one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing the world today. When forests are cleared, they release stored carbon into the atmosphere, contributing   to rising global temperatures. Governments and environmental organisations have repeatedly called for stringent policies to protect old-growth forests. Despite these efforts, the rate of tree loss continues to accelerate in several tropical regions.

Sample 5:

Artificial intelligence has begun to ______ [1] the way businesses operate across multiple sectors. Tasks that once required hours of human labour can now be ______ [2] by algorithms in seconds. This shift raises important ______ [3] about job displacement and the future of work. Many economists argue that, rather than ______ [4]  jobs, AI will ultimately create new categories of employment.

 Fill in the Blanks:

eliminating	completed
questions	Transform
ignore	creating
doubts	delayed

Answer:

Artificial intelligence has begun to transform the way businesses operate across multiple sectors. Tasks that once required hours of human labour can now be completed by algorithms in seconds. This shift raises important questions about job displacement and the future of work. Many economists argue that, rather than eliminating jobs, AI will ultimately create new categories of employment.

Sample 6:

The global spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a ______ [1] concern for public health officials worldwide. Overuse of antibiotics in both medicine and agriculture has [2] ______ to the development of drug-resistant strains. Health authorities recommend that antibiotics be ______ [3] only when strictly necessary. Without new drug development and tighter ______ [4], experts warn of a potential health crisis.

Growing	Minor
Prescribed	Avoided
Contributed	Reduced
Regulation	Funding

Answer

The global spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has become a growing concern for public health officials worldwide. Overuse of antibiotics in both medicine and agriculture has contributed to the development of drug-resistant strains. Health authorities recommend that antibiotics be prescribed only when strictly necessary. Without new drug development and tighter regulation, experts warn of a potential health crisis.

Sample 7:

Indigenous cultures around the world have long relied on oral ______ [1] to pass knowledge between generations. These traditions, which include storytelling, music, and ceremonial practices, play a ______ [2] role in preserving cultural identity. However, as younger generations ______ [3] to urban centres, many of these practices face the risk of being lost. Linguists and anthropologists argue that ______ [4] these traditions is a moral and academic responsibility.

Fill in the Blanks

tradition	vital
migrate	preserving
texts	minor
travel	studying

Answer:

Indigenous cultures around the world have long relied on oral tradition to pass knowledge between generations. These traditions, which include storytelling, music, and ceremonial practices, play a vital role in preserving cultural identity. However, as younger generations migrate to urban centres, many of these practices face the risk of being lost. Linguists and anthropologists argue that preserving these traditions is a moral and academic responsibility.

Sample 8:

Globalisation has ______ [1] trade barriers between nations, allowing goods and services to move more freely. While this has ______ [2] economic growth in many developing countries, critics argue it has also ______ [3] income inequality within national borders. Multinational corporations, in particular, have been ______ [4] for shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions.

Fill in the Blanks

reduced	accelerated
widened	criticised
increased	slowed
narrowed	praised

Answer:

Globalisation has reduced trade barriers between nations, allowing goods and services to move more freely. While this has accelerated economic growth in many developing countries, critics argue it has also widened income inequality within national borders. Multinational corporations, in particular, have been criticised for shifting profits to low-tax jurisdictions.

Sample 9:

Space exploration has ______ [1] our understanding of the solar system in profound ways. Missions to Mars have revealed evidence of ancient water flows, ______ [2] the possibility that microbial life once existed there. Private companies have now entered the space sector, ______ [3] competition and driving down launch costs. This shift may ______ [4] the pace of deep-space exploration significantly.

Fill in the Blanks:

expanded	raising
intensifying	accelerate
limited	dismissing
reducing	slow

Answer:

Space exploration has expanded our understanding of the solar system in profound ways. Missions to Mars have revealed evidence of ancient water flows, raising the possibility that microbial life once existed there. Private companies have now entered the space sector, intensifying competition and driving down launch costs. This shift may accelerate the pace of deep-space exploration significantly. 

Sample 10:

The Industrial Revolution ______ [1] the economic and social fabric of Britain in the 18th century. Factories replaced cottage industries, and large numbers of workers ______ [2] from rural areas to industrial cities. This ______ [3] of people created overcrowded urban centres with poor living conditions. The period also ______ [4] the foundation for modern capitalism and global trade.

Fill in the Blanks

destroyed	migrated
movement	laid
preserved	returned
shift	transformed

Answer

The Industrial Revolution transformed the economic and social fabric of Britain in the 18th century. Factories replaced cottage industries, and large numbers of workers migrated from rural areas to industrial cities. This movement of people created overcrowded urban centres with poor living conditions. The period also laid the foundation for modern capitalism and global trade.

Sample 11:

Rapid urbanisation in developing nations has created both ______ [1] and challenges for local governments. Cities that can ______ [2] infrastructure investment attract businesses and talent. However, poorly planned urban expansion often ______ [3] in inadequate housing, strained transport networks, and ______ [4] public services. Sustainable urban planning requires governments to ______ [5] long-term growth with immediate community needs.

Fill in the Blanks

results	overwhelmed
sustain	problems
reduce	ends
opportunities	balance
improved	compare

Answer

Rapid urbanisation in developing nations has created both opportunities and challenges for local governments. Cities that can sustain infrastructure investment attract businesses and talent. However, poorly planned urban expansion often results in inadequate housing, strained transport networks, and overwhelmed public services. Sustainable urban planning requires governments to balance long-term growth with immediate community needs.

How to Find the Right Word in PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks

Each blank in the passage is a hidden clue that will help you eliminate the wrong options and choose the correct one. Follow these steps to increase your accuracy for this task.

Step 1: Check the Article

Instead of guessing answers, look for surrounding words.

• If there is “A”, fill it with a consonant sound word
• If there is “An”, fill it with the vowel sound word
• If there is “The”, fill it with a specific noun

Step 2: Look for Preposition Clues

Certain verbs and adjectives in English always come with the same preposition. These are recognised as collocations, and finding them in the passage can help you fill in blanks quickly. Common examples include:

Pattern	Common examples
verb + to	contribute to, led to, attributed to, aspired to
verb + for	criticised for, known for, responsible for, praised for
verb + by	driven by, affected by, influenced by, replaced by
adjective + of	aware of, capable of, critical of, composed of

Step 3: Look for Verb Tense Clues

Check for available time markers in the sentence and match them with the tense of the blank. For example:

• "In recent years" = present perfect.
• "In the 18th century" = simple past.
• "Experts predict" = future or base verb.

Step 4: Identify the Word Form

Lastly, understand the specific part of speech blank needs before looking at the option. For example:

• If the blank is between "a" and "of" = it is a noun.
• If the blank is after "to" =it is a base verb.
• If the blank follows "'is/was/are/were' + qualifier " = it is an adjective.

Also Read: PTE Reorder Paragraphs

Expert Tips to Answer PTE Reading Fill-in-the-Blanks Questions

Practicing for the PTE Reading Fill-in-the-Blanks task becomes easier and more relevant with the right study strategy. Here are a few proven tactics that will help you master this task and boost scores.

• Skim the Full Passage First: Avoid choosing any option blindly and quickly read the passage to get familiar with the context and tone. It will help you anticipate the word type that might fit logically in each blank.
• Eliminate Before You Select: Before selecting any option, make sure you start by eliminating words from the box that clearly do not fit the context. Shortlisting options will eventually increase your chances of selecting the correct option.
• Focus on Vocabulary: Building a strong vocabulary is crucial, as many correct answers depend on understanding collocations and frequently used word combinations.
• Practice Time Management: Mastering the art of managing time is undoubtedly the most crucial tip, given that this task appears multiple times in the exam. Avoid sticking to a single blank for long and move quickly to save time.
• Use Targeted Preparation materials: Practicing with right resources makes a major difference for most of the candidates. This is why you must also choose the best and employ targeted practice for better results.

Final Thoughts

In summary, mastering the PTE reading fill-in-the-blanks task requires a balanced approach that combines strategy, practice, and consistency. With the right approach, you can easily boost your overall scores. Draft a structured PTE exam preparation plan that will help you cover each task in an organised manner, leaving no space for errors. However, students still struggle with multiple task types, managing time, and not finding the right practice resources. It is the right moment to connect with experts through our online PTE coaching. Our instructors will personalise your preparation by identifying weak areas to help you achieve the desired scores.