PTE Academic – Reading Section (Total time: 29–30 minutes)

PTE Academic – Reading Section (Total time: 29–30 minutes)

Task Type	No. of Questions	Time	Skills Tested
Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks	5–6	Integrated	Grammar, Vocabulary, Collocation
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers	1–2	~2–3 min each	Comprehension, Detail
Reorder Paragraphs	2–3	~2–3 min each	Logic, Cohesion
Reading: Fill in the Blanks	4–5	~2 min each	Vocabulary, Context
Multiple Choice, Single Answer	1–2	~1–1.5 min each	Main idea

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1 Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks (R&W FIB)

Number of questions: 5–6
Time: Not fixed (manage within reading time)
Scoring: Very high weight (Reading + Writing)

Skills Tested

• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Collocations
• Sentence structure

Task

Choose the correct word from a dropdown for each blank.

Tips

• Learn academic collocations
  👉 commit a crime, play a role, take into account
• Read before and after the blank
• Grammar often decides the answer
• Spend max 2 minutes per passage

High-Score Tip

These questions decide 65–79 scores. Never rush. Accuracy matters more than speed.

Sample Question (Real PTE Style)

Modern cities must carefully ________ environmental concerns when planning large infrastructure projects, as ignoring sustainability can lead to long-term economic and social consequences.

Dropdown options:
A. consider
B. consist
C. conclude
D. convert

Correct Answer: A. consider

Why?

• Correct collocation: consider concerns
• Grammatically fits the verb position
• Meaning matches context

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2 Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers (MCMA)

Number of questions: 1–2
Time: ~2–3 minutes each
Scoring: Partial credit (+1 correct, −1 incorrect)

Skills Tested

• Detailed comprehension
• Logical understanding

Tips

• Read the question first
• Skim for keywords
• Avoid selecting many options
• Usually 2 answers are correct

High-Score Tip

If unsure, do not select. Wrong answers reduce your score.

Sample Question

According to the passage, which TWO factors contribute to employee productivity?

Research suggests that workplace productivity is influenced by both physical and psychological factors. Adequate lighting and comfortable seating improve concentration, while recognition and opportunities for growth increase motivation and job satisfaction.

Options:
A. Comfortable seating
B. Strict supervision
C. Recognition at work
D. Long working hours
E. High competition

Correct Answers: A and C

Why?

• A → physical factor mentioned
• C → psychological factor mentioned
• Others are not stated or contradict the passage

Selecting extra options would reduce marks.

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3 Reorder Paragraphs

Number of questions: 2–3
Time: ~2–3 minutes each
Scoring: High weight

 Skills Tested

• Logical sequence
• Text cohesion
• Discourse markers

Tips

• Identify the topic sentence
• Look for connectors: however, therefore, moreover
• Pronoun clues: this, it, they
• First sentence never starts with but / however / so

High-Score Tip

Make sentence pairs first, then connect pairs logically.

Sample Question

Reorder the following sentences into a logical paragraph.

A. However, many researchers argue that excessive screen time can affect mental health.
B. Technology has transformed the way people communicate globally.
C. This change has increased access to information and social interaction.
D. As a result, balanced usage is now strongly recommended.

Correct Order

B → C → A → D

Logic:

• B introduces topic
• C explains the result
• A introduces contrast (however)
• D gives conclusion (as a result)

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4 Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop)

Number of questions: 4–5
Time: ~2 minutes each
Scoring: Medium weight

Skills Tested

• Vocabulary
• Context understanding

Tips

• Check grammar fit
• Focus on collocations
• Eliminate wrong options first

High-Score Tip

Learn noun–verb and adjective–noun combinations from Pearson lists.

Sample Question

Economic growth is often closely linked to investment in education, as a skilled workforce can significantly ________ national productivity and innovation.

Word Bank:
enhance | restrict | eliminate | ignore

Correct Answer: enhance

Why?

• Correct verb-noun collocation: enhance productivity
• Meaning fits positive context

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5 Multiple Choice, Single Answer (MCSA)

Number of questions: 1–2
Time: ~1–1.5 minutes each
Scoring: Low–medium weight

Skills Tested

• Main idea
• General understanding

Tips

• Read question → Scan text
• Eliminate extreme options
• Watch contrast words (but, although)

High-Score Tip

The answer usually appears after contrast markers.

Sample Question

What is the main idea of the passage?

Although remote work offers flexibility and reduces commuting time, many employees report feeling isolated and less engaged with their colleagues. Consequently, companies are now experimenting with hybrid models to balance efficiency and collaboration.

Options:
A. Remote work completely improves employee satisfaction
B. Office work is more productive than remote work
C. Hybrid work models address problems of remote work
D. Employees dislike flexible working arrangements

Correct Answer: C

Why?

• Passage contrasts remote work problems and solution = hybrid model
• Key idea appears after contrast marker: “Although”