PTE Reading: Fill in the Blanks – Key Rules

PTE Reading: Fill in the Blanks – Key Rules

1. Choose the word that fits grammatically AND logically

·         Check part of speech: noun, verb, adjective, adverb.

·         Look for collocations (common word pairings).

·         Understand the context of the sentence.

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2. Singular vs. Plural Rules (Very Important)

A. Use singular nouns when:

1.      After a / an

o    a book, an idea

2.      After each / every

o    Each student is…

o    Every problem has…

3.      After one / each one / every one

o    One reason is…

4.      After this / that

o    this problem, that answer

5.      When showing uncountable nouns (always singular)

o    information, equipment, furniture, advice

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B. Use plural nouns when:

1.      After many, several, few, both

o    many ideas, several changes

2.      After these / those

o    these books, those issues

3.      After a number of

o    A number of students are…

4.      When sentence indicates more than one

o    Two reasons, five examples

5.      With countable nouns in general meaning

o    Cars are expensive these days.

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C. Common PTE traps

·         Don’t mix unit + noun

o    ❌ five piece of informations

o    ✔ five pieces of information

·         Watch for subject–verb agreement

o    The list contains (singular)

o    The lists contain (plural)

·         Collective nouns may be singular or plural depending on meaning

o    The team is strong. (as a unit)

o    The team are arguing. (individuals)

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3. When to Use Capital Letters in PTE Reading

A. Capital letters are used for:

1.      Proper nouns

o    Names of people: William Shakespeare

o    Countries: Nepal, Australia

o    Cities: Sydney, New York

o    Organizations: United Nations, World Bank

o    Languages: English, Spanish

2.      Days, months, holidays

o    Monday, November, Christmas

3.      Titles of books, movies, articles

o    The Great Gatsby

o    The New York Times

4.      Acronyms

o    NASA, WHO, UNESCO

5.      The first word of a sentence

o    This research focuses on…

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B. Do NOT use capital letters for:

1.      Common nouns

o    country, river, student, city

2.      Seasons

o    summer, winter, autumn (NOT capitalized)

3.      General job titles

o    the president, a professor (unless before a name)

4.      General subjects

o    math, history, science
(BUT: English, French = capital letters)

5.      Directions

o    north, south, east, west (not countries)

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PTE Example Practice

Example 1: Singular or Plural

The company provided useful _____ to the new employees.

Options:
a. informations
b. information
c. informationes

Answer: information (uncountable)

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Example 2: Capital Letter

The river _____ flows through Egypt.

Options:
a. nile
b. Nile
c. NILE

Answer: Nile (proper noun)

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Example 3: Grammar Fit

Each of the students _____ responsible.

Options:
a. are
b. is
c. were

Answer: is (each = singular)

 

50 PTE Reading Fill-in-the-Blanks Practice (With Options in Brackets)

(Only one answer is correct.)

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Vocabulary & Collocations (1–20)

1.      The company aims to ______ its market share next year.
(increase / increases / increasing)

2.      Scientists are trying to ______ the cause of the problem.
(identify / identity / identified)

3.      The teacher encouraged students to ______ their ideas openly.
(express / impress / press)

4.      Tourism can ______ the local economy.
(boost / boast / burst)

5.      The report provides a detailed ______ of the results.
(analysis / analyze / analytical)

6.      Regular exercise can ______ stress levels.
(reduce / produce / deduct)

7.      The government plans to ______ new laws.
(introduce / reduce / induce)

8.      The team made a significant ______ in the match.
(progress / process / program)

9.      The museum displays an impressive ______ of paintings.
(collection / connection / correction)

10. The company issued a public ______ after the mistake.
(apology / apply / apologizing)

11. The project was completed ahead of ______.
(schedule / time / plan)

12. The organization helps to ______ awareness about health issues.
(raise / rise / arise)

13. The new software will ______ your work easier.
(make / do / take)

14. Researchers have ______ a link between diet and sleep.
(found / find / finding)

15. His dedication had a positive ______ on the team.
(impact / compact / pact)

16. Students should develop good study ______.
(habits / habitats / hobbles)

17. She refused to ______ in unethical activities.
(participate / partly / particular)

18. The science teacher gave valuable ______ during the class.
(instructions / construction / obstruction)

19. The company maintains high safety ______.
(standards / stands / standing)

20. The university offers a wide ______ of courses.
(range / arrange / margin)

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Grammar – Singular / Plural (21–35)

21. Each of the players ______ ready for the match.
(is / are / were)

22. The list of items ______ on the table.
(is / are / have)

23. Many pieces of information ______ missing.
(are / is / has)

24. The team ______ practicing for the final.
(is / are / were)

25. Several studies ______ shown positive results.
(have / has / having)

26. A number of students ______ waiting outside.
(are / is / was)

27. Every country ______ its own laws.
(has / have / having)

28. These kinds of problems ______ difficult to solve.
(are / is / were)

29. The committee ______ yet to decide.
(has / have / having)

30. The data ______ incorrect.
(are / is / was)

31. The scissors ______ not sharp enough.
(are / is / was)

32. The news ______ quite surprising.
(is / are / were)

33. The majority of students ______ satisfied.
(are / is / has)

34. Two liters of water ______ required.
(is / are / were)

35. Few students ______ able to answer correctly.
(were / was / is)

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Prepositions (36–45)

36. She is interested ______ learning English.
(in / on / at)

37. The meeting will be held ______ the afternoon.
(in / on / at)

38. The project will start ______ Monday.
(on / in / at)

39. The report is based ______ recent research.
(on / in / at)

40. He apologized ______ being late.
(for / to / at)

41. The museum is located ______ the city center.
(in / at / on)

42. She insisted ______ paying the bill.
(on / in / for)

43. Many people depend ______ public transportation.
(on / in / for)

44. He is responsible ______ the team.
(for / to / of)

45. They complained ______ the poor service.
(about / on / for)

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Capital Letters (Proper Nouns) (46–50)

46. The river ______ flows through Egypt.
(nile / Nile / NILE)

47. She studied at ______ University.
(tribhuvan / Tribhuvan / TRIBHUVAN)

48. They will travel to ______ in December.
(australia / Australia / australian)

49. ______ is known as the City of Love.
(paris / Paris / PARIS)

50. He works for the ______.
(world health organization / World Health Organization / world Health Organization)

Answers (1–50)

Vocabulary & Collocations (1–20)

1.      increase

2.      identify

3.      express

4.      boost

5.      analysis

6.      reduce

7.      introduce

8.      progress

9.      collection

10. apology

11. schedule

12. raise

13. make

14. found

15. impact

16. habits

17. participate

18. instructions

19. standards

20. range

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Grammar – Singular / Plural (21–35)

21. is

22. is

23. are

24. is

25. have

26. are

27. has

28. are

29. has

30. are

31. are

32. is

33. are

34. is

35. were

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Prepositions (36–45)

36. in

37. in

38. on

39. on

40. for

41. in

42. on

43. on

44. for

45. about

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Capital Letters (Proper Nouns) (46–50)

46. Nile

47. Tribhuvan

48. Australia

49. Paris

50. World Health Organization