PTE Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks

PTE Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks (RW–FIB)

Most Effective Tips

1 Read the entire sentence before choosing

Don’t select a word by looking only at the blank.
Understand the meaning + grammar of the whole sentence.

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2 Use Collocations (very important)

PTE tests common academic word pairings such as:

·         highly recommended

·         widely accepted

·         strong evidence

·         pose a threat

If a word “sounds naturally correct” with the surrounding words → it’s a collocation.

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3 Check grammar

Ask yourself:

·         Should it be a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb?

·         Should it be singular or plural?

·         What tense fits?

The sentence structure gives clues.

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4 Understand the meaning (context)

Some options look grammatically correct but not meaningful.

Choose the one that fits the message of the sentence.

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5 Eliminate wrong answers

Remove words that:

·         don’t match tone (academic vs casual)

·         don’t fit meaning

·         don’t collocate
This increases accuracy.

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6 Notice prepositions

Some words always follow certain prepositions:

·         rely on

·         capable of

·         interested in

·         responsible for

This helps identify the correct word.

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7 Think about word forms

Examples:

·         innovate (verb)

·         innovation (noun)

·         innovative (adjective)

RW-FIB often tests these.

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8 Read after filling

When you choose a word, read the sentence again.
If it sounds unnatural, fix it.

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Now: 10 RW–FIB Exam-Style Questions

Each includes answers + reasons.

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Question 1

Technology has become an essential tool in modern education, and many teachers now ______ digital platforms to create interactive learning environments.

Options: use, adopt, require, collect

Answer: adopt

Reason:

“Adopt digital platforms” is a strong collocation meaning start using new methods or tools.
The other words do not fit the academic context as naturally.

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Question 2

The scientist’s findings were widely ______ because they were supported by years of research and extensive data analysis.

Options: criticized, accepted, ignored, dismissed

Answer: accepted

Reason

“Widely accepted” is a common academic collocation.
Other choices contradict the context (“supported by years of research”).

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Question 3

Many companies are investing in renewable energy to reduce their environmental ______.

Options: impact, decision, habit, material

Answer: impact

Reason

“Environmental impact” is the correct technical term.
Other options are not meaningful in this context.

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Question 4

The report aims to ______ the challenges faced by small businesses during economic downturns.

Options: highlight, decorate, expand, imitate

Answer: highlight

 Reason

“Highlight the challenges” is the correct expression.
Others do not match the meaning.

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Question 5

Despite initial resistance, the new policy was eventually ______ by majority vote.

Options: approved, removed, combined, collected

Answer: approved

Reason

“Approved by majority vote” is a standard formal phrase.

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Question 6

Researchers have developed a new vaccine that is highly ______ against viral infections.

Options: resistant, effective, harmful, limited

Answer: effective

Reason:

“Highly effective” is a textbook collocation.
Other words do not make scientific sense.

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Question 7

The success of the project depends largely on the team’s ability to ______ efficiently.

Options: communicate, control, admire, complain

Answer: communicate

Reason

“Communicate efficiently” fits both meaning and collocation.
Other options do not relate to teamwork productivity.

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Question 8

Many historians argue that culture plays a significant role in shaping a nation’s ______.

Options: identity, product, temperature, schedule

Answer: identity

Reason

“National identity” is a meaningful academic phrase.

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Question 9

As online shopping becomes more popular, traditional retail stores must ______ their business strategies.

Options: adapt, remove, freeze, combine

Answer: adapt

Reason:

“Adapt strategies” is a common collocation meaning adjust or change.

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Question 10

The professor encouraged students to ______ critical thinking skills by questioning assumptions and analyzing evidence.

Options: develop, debate, transfer, confuse

Answer: develop

Reason

“Develop critical thinking skills” is academically accurate.