PTEreading

PTE Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop)

Drag words from a word bank to fill the blanks in the text correctly.

2-3 minutes per item
PTE Academic (Score 10-90)

What is this question type?

This Reading item type tests your vocabulary knowledge and ability to use contextual clues to place words correctly. A text has several blanks, and a word bank below provides more words than blanks. You must drag the correct word into each blank. It assesses understanding of meaning, grammar, and collocations in academic contexts.

Winning Strategy

  1. 1

    Read the full text first to understand the topic before looking at the word bank

  2. 2

    For each blank, determine what part of speech is needed (noun, verb, adjective, etc.)

  3. 3

    Look at surrounding words for collocations and grammatical requirements

  4. 4

    Start with the blanks you're most confident about to narrow down remaining options

  5. 5

    Remember there are more words than blanks — some words are distractors that don't fit anywhere

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Trying to fill blanks in order instead of starting with the easiest ones

  • Not checking that the word fits grammatically (singular/plural, tense)

  • Ignoring the extra distractor words and forcing a word into a blank where it doesn't fit

  • Choosing a word based on topic relevance alone without checking grammar and collocation

  • Not re-reading the completed text to verify all words fit naturally

Tips for Success

  • Build a strong vocabulary of academic words and their common collocations

  • Practice identifying parts of speech from sentence structure quickly

  • Learn common patterns: adjective + noun, adverb + verb, verb + preposition

  • Cross off words from the bank as you place them to keep track

  • If two words seem to fit one blank, try both in context and check which sounds more natural

Frequently Asked Questions

How many blanks are there?
Typically 4-6 blanks per text, with 2-3 extra distractor words in the word bank.
Can I change my answers?
Yes, you can drag words back to the word bank and try different placements before moving on.
What if two words seem to fit?
Check grammar, collocation, and meaning carefully. Read the complete sentence with each option to see which creates a more natural, accurate text.

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PTE Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop) - Complete Study Guide for Pearson Test of English Academic

This Reading item type tests your vocabulary knowledge and ability to use contextual clues to place words correctly. A text has several blanks, and a word bank below provides more words than blanks. You must drag the correct word into each blank. It assesses understanding of meaning, grammar, and collocations in academic contexts.

Step-by-Step Strategy

  1. Read the full text first to understand the topic before looking at the word bank
  2. For each blank, determine what part of speech is needed (noun, verb, adjective, etc.)
  3. Look at surrounding words for collocations and grammatical requirements
  4. Start with the blanks you're most confident about to narrow down remaining options
  5. Remember there are more words than blanks — some words are distractors that don't fit anywhere

Avoid These Mistakes

  • Trying to fill blanks in order instead of starting with the easiest ones
  • Not checking that the word fits grammatically (singular/plural, tense)
  • Ignoring the extra distractor words and forcing a word into a blank where it doesn't fit
  • Choosing a word based on topic relevance alone without checking grammar and collocation
  • Not re-reading the completed text to verify all words fit naturally

Expert Tips

  • Build a strong vocabulary of academic words and their common collocations
  • Practice identifying parts of speech from sentence structure quickly
  • Learn common patterns: adjective + noun, adverb + verb, verb + preposition
  • Cross off words from the bank as you place them to keep track
  • If two words seem to fit one blank, try both in context and check which sounds more natural

Frequently Asked Questions

How many blanks are there?

Typically 4-6 blanks per text, with 2-3 extra distractor words in the word bank.

Can I change my answers?

Yes, you can drag words back to the word bank and try different placements before moving on.

What if two words seem to fit?

Check grammar, collocation, and meaning carefully. Read the complete sentence with each option to see which creates a more natural, accurate text.

Available in: PTE Academic (Score 10-90)

Time allowed: 2-3 minutes per item