You’ll see a text with missing words in the PTE Reading Fill In The Blanks task. You must fill in the blanks using words from the box at the bottom of the screen. The given text is up to 80 words long. There’s no time limit for answering this task.
Click on a word and drag it to the desired blank to answer. You can drag the word back to the box or move it to another blank if you want to change your answer. Pay attention closely to choose the correct words.
Sample: In the text below some words are missing. Drag words from the box below to the appropriate place in the text. To undo an answer choice, drag the word back to the box below the text.
Insects walk on water, snakes _________, and fish swim. Animals move with astounding grace, speed, and versatility: how do they do it, and what can we learn from them? How to Walk on Water and Climb up Walls takes readers on a wondrous journey into the world of animal _________. From basement labs at MIT to the rain forests of Panama, David Hu shows how animals have adapted and evolved to _________ their environments, taking advantage of physical laws with results that are startling and ingenious.
- slither
- hobby
- traverse
- motion
- flinch
- enhance
Sign up for more FREE practice
Common Mistakes To Avoid
Many candidates lose scores in the PTE Reading Fill In The Blanks task due to making avoidable mistakes. These mistakes can be prevented if you pay attention and have proper strategies. PTE Magic has compiled the most common ones for you below so you can stay aware and prepare:
- Managing time poorly: Some test-takers rush to fill in the blanks without understanding the passage’s context. This mistake often results in hasty choices and incorrect answers. Spend the first few minutes understanding the text and the rest to focus on answering correctly. Good time management helps you avoid unnecessary errors from the start.
- Not eliminating wrong options: Many candidates try to fill in all the words in the blanks rather than eliminate the wrong words first. This will waste time and make you more confused. Eliminating wrong words from the start helps you focus on the correct options and make decisions more quickly.
- Not practising regularly: Many test-takers attend the test day without frequently taking PTE reading exercises. These test-takers are likely to encounter unprepared situations while taking the task. Practise regularly helps you sharpen your reading skills and critical thinking. Spending just 20 minutes a day to practise PTE Reading Fill In The Blanks can increase your scores for this task significantly.
- Focusing too much on one blank: This mistake slows many students down during the test. Focusing too much on one blank causes a lack of understanding of the overall context. Additionally, it costs valuable time that could be spent on other questions, so pay attention to the time.
- Not paying attention to collocations: Collocations are certain words that usually go together. Not paying attention to this clue will result in incorrect choices. You might choose a grammatically correct word, but it would be wrong in context if you don’t know the collocation. Candidates who recognise these clues will achieve higher scores than those who don’t.
Frequently Asked Questions
How To Solve PTE Reading Fill In The Blanks?
Start by skimming the passage to understand the overall context because it helps you choose the right words. Pay attention to grammatical clues, transition words, and word forms to identify the correct words more easily. Eliminate the wrong options first to improve your chances of success.
How Many Readings Fill In The Blanks In PTE?
The PTE Readings Fill In The Blanks task tests your ability to understand and use words in the correct context. You’ll encounter 4 to 5 questions, each question is a short passage of up to 80 words with several blanks.
How Do I Improve My Reading Fill In The Blanks?
Success in the PTE Reading Fill In The Blanks requires proper strategy. Scan the text to catch the main idea quickly. Enhance your grammar and vocabulary to predict answers more effectively. Additionally, learn to manage your time well by practising mock tests frequently to familiarise yourself with the task’s duration.
How Much Time To Spend On Fill In The Blanks In PTE?
Timing is crucial in this task. Aim to spend no more than 2-3 minutes per question, or else you’ll lose time for other questions. Although there’s no time limit for answering this task, control your time wisely to complete all the questions on time.
What Is The Fill In The Blank Strategy?
Apply the right strategy helps you achieve higher scores in the PTE Reading Fill In The Blanks task. First, identify the collocations or word pairs that usually go together. Next, test their meanings by reading them in the sentences. The best choice is the one that sounds most natural and grammatically correct.
Conclusion
The PTE Reading Fill In The Blanks task affects your Reading and Writing score. Understanding the test format and applying the right strategies will boost your score in this task. Additionally, improve your performance by taking PTE Reading Fill In The Blanks practice questions frequently. Good luck!
Last updated on 02/06/2025

My name is Moni, and I am a seasoned PTE teacher with over 6 years of experience. I have helped thousands of students overcome their struggles and achieve their desired scores. My passion for teaching and dedication to my student’s success drives me to continually improve my teaching methods and provide the best possible support. Join me on this journey toward PTE success!
I am a firm believer that the best teachers educate with their hearts not just their minds.
Moni | PTE MAGIC International Founder
Explore PTE
Tips & Tricks
In this task, you are required to read a passage (up to 300 words). After...
Read more →In this PTE Reorder Paragraph task, you will be presented with several text boxes that...
Read more →For this PTE Reading Multiple Choice Multiple Answer task, you must read a short passage...
Read more →