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The PTE Academic Exam comprises 20 different question types, and today our focus is on only one: Fill in the Blanks. You must note that there are three distinct types of this task in the exam. Two types are found in the Reading section, and the third resides in the Listening section.
Types of PTE Fill in the Blanks
1. Fill in the Blanks – Reading and Writing
In this task, you’ll encounter a passage with blanks, each offering four options. Your mission is to identify the word that fits best in each blank.
This task will award points for both your Reading and Writing bands.
– Scoring: 1 point for each correct blank.
– Number of Blanks: 5 to 6.
– Number of Questions: 5 to 6.
– Answering Time: 2 minutes.
Techniques:
To tackle this, start by reading the options, then read the entire sentence. Often, this straightforward approach is enough to uncover the correct answers.
In this question, you’ll be tested on three things: grammar (but not too much), the meaning of words (where the options might have similar meanings, but only one is right), and most questions are about putting words together in the right way (Collocations). Collocations are words that fit well together.
To prepare for this question, review your mistakes. The most effective method for learning new words and their proper usage is to comprehend the context in which the word is employed. Additionally, it is crucial to study collocations. You can access an extensive list of collocations provided by Pearson by clicking here.
Check out an example of this exercise below.
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2. Fill in the Blanks – Reading
In this version of Fill in the Blanks, you’ll need to pick the word that fits best into each blank from the given options.
This variation will give points only to your Reading score.
– Scoring: 1 point for each correct blank.
– Number of Questions: 4 to 5.
– Number of Blanks: 3 to 5.
– Answering Time: 2 minutes.
For this type, review the options first, then read the entire sentence. The focus here is on vocabulary and grammar. Analyzing your mistakes is crucial for improving.
Check out a Fill in the Blanks – Reading example:
3. Fill in the Blanks – Listening
It’s important to note that in this Fill in the Blanks section, you won’t have options to choose from; instead, you will need to type the answers into each blank.
Contributes to both Listening and Writing scores.
– Scoring: 1 point for each correct blank.
– Number of Questions: 2 to 3.
– Number of Blanks: 4 to 6.
– Time to Answer: During and after the audio.
Here, you have the option to take notes, type directly, or use laminated paper. Choose the method that aligns with your preferences and enhances your efficiency.
Tips for Success
1. Don’t Leave Blanks:
– Ensure you attempt to fill in every blank space, even if uncertain.
– Writing down your best guess might earn you points, as there’s no penalty for incorrect answers.
2. Study how words are used together in collocations.
– You will improve by reading and practicing fill-in-the-blanks exercises. Additionally, you can refer to the official Pearson list of collocations for the PTE Academic by clicking here.
3. Learn from Mistakes:
– Reviewing your answers is instrumental in understanding grammar nuances and the contextual usage of vocabulary.
4. Utilize Answer Time Efficiently (Listening):
– Take advantage of the time provided after the audio to reevaluate and refine your answers.
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