Sunday, 5 July 2026

10 PTE Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks Practice Questions

10 PTE Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks Practice Questions

Key Strategy Reminder: In this task, you must drag and drop words into gaps in a passage. You are tested on collocations (words that naturally go together), grammar (verb tense, prepositions, articles), and contextual meaning (understanding the overall theme).


Question 1

Passage:

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has ________ (1) significant concerns about its impact on the global job market. While automation may eliminate certain routine roles, it is also expected to ________ (2) new opportunities in fields like data science and machine learning. Governments and educational institutions must therefore ________ (3) their curricula to prepare the workforce for this technological shift. Failure to do so could ________ (4) in a widening skills gap and increased economic inequality.

Options:

A) raised / B) rose / C) risen / D) arising

A) create / B) creative / C) creation / D) creating

A) adapt / B) adopt / C) adept / D) adorn

A) result / B) resolve / C) resort / D) revolve



Answers:

A) raised – "Raised concerns" is a standard collocation. "Rose" and "risen" are intransitive verbs (they don't take an object), but "concerns" is the object here. "Arising" is a present participle and doesn't fit the past tense structure.

A) create – The sentence requires a base verb after "to" (infinitive: "to create"). "Creative" (adjective), "creation" (noun), and "creating" (gerund) are grammatically incorrect here.

A) adapt – "Adapt their curricula" means to modify or change them to suit new conditions. "Adopt" means to take up something new. "Adept" is an adjective meaning skilled. "Adorn" means to decorate.

A) result – "Result in" is the correct collocation meaning "to lead to." "Resolve" (solve), "resort" (to turn to something else), and "revolve" (move in a circle) do not fit contextually.


Question 2

Passage:

The discovery of antibiotics in the early 20th century was a major ________ (1) in medical history, saving countless lives from bacterial infections. However, the overuse of these drugs has led to a growing problem of antibiotic ________ (2). Bacteria are evolving to survive the very medicines designed to destroy them. If this trend ________ (3), it could render many of our most effective treatments obsolete. This situation highlights the urgent need for new antimicrobial drugs, but the pharmaceutical industry has been slow to ________ (4) in this area due to high research costs.

Options:

A) milestone / B) millstone / C) milepost / D) millwork

A) resistance / B) insistence / C) persistence / D) assistance

A) contains / B) continues / C) intends / D) extends

A) invent / B) invest / C) involve / D) invite



Answers:

A) milestone – A "milestone" is an important event or achievement. A "millstone" is a heavy stone for grinding or a heavy burden. "Milepost" is a physical marker on a road. "Millwork" is woodwork from a mill.

A) resistance – "Antibiotic resistance" is the specific scientific term for bacteria becoming immune to drugs. "Insistence" (demand), "persistence" (continuing firmly), and "assistance" (help) are incorrect.

B) continues – "If this trend continues" is a standard conditional clause. "Contains" (holds inside), "intends" (plans), and "extends" (stretches out) do not fit the meaning.

B) invest – "To invest in this area" means to commit money and resources. "Invent" (create something new) doesn't work with "in this area." "Involve" and "invite" are not followed by "in" in this context.


Question 3

Passage:

Effective communication in the workplace is not simply about speaking clearly. It ________ (1) involves active listening and the ability to interpret non-verbal cues. Employees who feel heard are more likely to be engaged and productive. ________ (2), misunderstandings can lead to conflict, missed deadlines, and low morale. Therefore, companies should ________ (3) communication skills training a priority. By doing so, they can foster a more collaborative and efficient working ________ (4).

Options:

A) also / B) too / C) either / D) yet

A) Moreover / B) Conversely / C) Consequently / D) Likewise

A) do / B) make / C) have / D) take

A) environment / B) enclave / C) engagement / D) enforcement



Answers:

A) also – "Also" is used to add extra information. "Too" can mean also but is usually placed at the end of a clause. "Either" is for choices or negative sentences. "Yet" indicates contrast.

B) Conversely – "Conversely" introduces a contrasting situation. The passage contrasts "feel heard" (positive) with "misunderstandings" (negative). "Moreover" (adds info), "Consequently" (shows result), and "Likewise" (shows similarity) don't provide the necessary contrast.

B) make – "Make...a priority" is the correct collocation. We don't say "do a priority," "have a priority" (though possible, "make" is stronger here), or "take a priority."

A) environment – "Working environment" is the standard term for the conditions/culture of a workplace. "Enclave" (enclosed area), "engagement" (involvement), and "enforcement" (forcing rules) do not fit.

Question 4

Passage:

Global tourism has experienced unprecedented growth over the last century, ________ (1) destinations like Bali and Venice to struggle with the negative effects of overtourism. The sheer volume of visitors puts immense pressure on local infrastructure, housing, and the natural environment. In response, some cities have started to ________ (2) restrictions on the number of tourists allowed, such as charging entry fees or limiting cruise ship arrivals. ________ (3) measures aim to protect the cultural and ecological integrity of these locations. However, the delicate balance ________ (4) economic benefit and environmental preservation remains a difficult challenge for policymakers.

Options:

A) causing / B) causing for / C) cause / D) causes

A) impose / B) compose / C) dispose / D) expose

A) Such / B) These / C) Those / D) So

A) among / B) between / C) beside / D) beyond



Answers:

A) causing – The clause needs a present participle to describe the result of the growth. "Causing...to struggle" is the correct grammatical structure. "Cause" and "causes" are main verbs, which would make the sentence a comma splice.

A) impose – "To impose restrictions" means to introduce them officially. "Compose" (create/write), "Dispose" (get rid of), and "Expose" (reveal) do not collocate with "restrictions."

A) Such – "Such" is used to refer back to the previously mentioned restrictions. "These" and "Those" could be used, but they are demonstrative pronouns. "Such measures" is a formal and common collocation. "So" is not used before a noun phrase like this.

B) between – "Balance between" is the correct collocation when discussing two distinct things (economic benefit AND environmental preservation). "Among" is for three or more. "Beside" (next to) and "Beyond" (further than) are incorrect.


Question 5

Passage:

The human brain is an incredibly complex organ, capable of processing vast amounts of information simultaneously. It is also highly adaptive, a quality known as neuroplasticity. This allows the brain to reorganize itself by forming new neural ________ (1) throughout life. When we learn a new skill, like playing an instrument or speaking a language, our brain physically changes to ________ (2) this new information. However, without regular practice, these connections can weaken or disappear entirely. This principle is commonly ________ (3) as "use it or lose it." Therefore, lifelong learning and mental stimulation are vital for ________ (4) cognitive health and preventing age-related decline.

Options:

A) connections / B) collections / C) corrections / D) conclusions

A) accept / B) access / C) accommodate / D) accord

A) known / B) knowing / C) knew / D) know

A) maintaining / B) obtaining / C) attaining / D) detaining



Answers:

A) connections – "Neural connections" (or pathways) is the specific neurological term. "Collections," "Corrections," and "Conclusions" do not relate to brain physiology.

C) accommodate – To "accommodate new information" means to make room for it and adjust to it. "Accept" (believe), "Access" (reach), and "Accord" (give/grant) don't fit the idea of the brain physically changing.

A) known – "Is commonly known as" is a passive voice construction. The past participle "known" is required after "is." "Knowing" (gerund), "Knew" (past tense), and "Know" (base) are grammatically incorrect here.

A) maintaining – "Maintaining cognitive health" means keeping it at a good level. "Obtaining" (getting for the first time), "Attaining" (achieving), and "Detaining" (holding back) do not fit the context of preventing decline.


Question 6

Passage:

Many people believe that the key to happiness lies in accumulating wealth. However, studies have consistently shown that beyond a certain ________ (1) of income, additional money has a negligible effect on overall well-being. Instead, psychological factors such as strong social relationships, a sense of purpose, and ________ (2) autonomy play a far more significant role. Individuals who feel they have control over their lives and who are part of a supportive community tend to report higher levels of life satisfaction. It is not that money is ________ (3); it provides safety and stability. But once basic needs are met, its power to increase happiness rapidly ________ (4).

Options:

A) level / B) levy / C) lever / D) levee

A) personal / B) personnel / C) personable / D) personified

A) irrelevant / B) irreverent / C) irreplaceable / D) irresponsible

A) diminishes / B) diminishes at / C) diminutive / D) diminishment



Answers:

A) level – "Certain level of income" is the correct collocation. "Levy" (tax), "Lever" (handle), and "Levee" (embankment) are incorrect.

A) personal – "Personal autonomy" means a person's independence and control over their own life. "Personnel" (staff/employees), "Personable" (pleasant), and "Personified" (represented) are incorrect.

A) irrelevant – "Money is not irrelevant" means it still matters. "Irreverent" (disrespectful), "Irreplaceable" (cannot be replaced), and "Irresponsible" (not accountable) do not fit the meaning.

A) diminishes – "Rapidly diminishes" means it quickly becomes less. "Diminishes" is the correct verb form for the singular subject "power." "Diminishes at" is ungrammatical. "Diminutive" (small) is an adjective, and "Diminishment" is a noun.

Question 7

Passage:

The rapid growth of e-commerce has transformed the retail industry. Many traditional stores have struggled to ________ (1) with online competitors that offer greater convenience and lower prices. To remain successful, physical retailers are focusing on creating unique shopping experiences that cannot easily be ________ (2) online. Excellent customer service, personalized assistance, and attractive store layouts all contribute to a memorable shopping ________ (3). By investing in these strengths, businesses can ________ (4) long-term customer loyalty.

Options:

(1) D) compel C) complete B) compare A) compete

(2) D) regarded C) repeated B) replicated A) replaced

(3) D) expectation C) explanation B) experiment A) experience

(4) D) blame C) borrow B) break A) build



Answers:

(1) A) compete – "Compete with" is the correct collocation.

(2) B) replicated – "Replicated online" means copied or reproduced.

(3) A) experience – "Shopping experience" is the standard collocation.

(4) A) build – "Build customer loyalty" is a common business expression.


Question 8

Passage:

As life expectancy continues to increase, healthcare systems must prepare for a growing number of elderly patients. Researchers are working to ________ (1) diseases such as Alzheimer's at an earlier stage through improved diagnostic methods. Although there is currently no cure, adopting healthy lifestyle habits may reduce important ________ (2) factors. Scientists remain hopeful that future treatments will significantly ________ (3) the progression of these diseases and improve patients' quality of ________ (4).

Options:

(1) D) deny C) defend B) delete A) detect

(2) D) hazard C) danger B) chance A) risk

(3) D) solve C) remove B) shorten A) slow

(4) D) livelihood C) lifestyle B) living A) life



Answers:

(1) A) detect – "Detect diseases" is the correct medical collocation.

(2) A) risk – "Risk factors" is the accepted medical term.

(3) A) slow – Treatments aim to "slow the progression."

(4) A) life – "Quality of life" is the standard expression.


Question 9

Passage:

Modern robotics has advanced rapidly over the past decade. Robots are increasingly being used in hospitals, factories, and disaster relief operations because they are particularly ________ (1) for dangerous or repetitive tasks. As artificial intelligence becomes more ________ (2), machines are gaining the ability to make decisions with limited human supervision. However, this progress also raises ethical ________ (3) that society must address before autonomous systems become widespread ________ (4).

Options:

(1) D) suiting C) suited B) suitable for A) suitable

(2) D) sophisticate C) sophisticatedly B) sophistication A) sophisticated

(3) D) opinions C) responses B) answers A) questions

(4) D) realisms C) reality B) realistic A) realities



Answers:

(1) A) suitable – "Suitable for" is the correct collocation.

(2) A) sophisticated – An adjective is required.

(3) A) questions – "Ethical questions" is the natural expression.

(4) A) realities – "Become widespread realities" fits the context.


Question 10

Passage:

Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environmental impact of fast fashion and are gradually ________ (1) toward sustainable alternatives. Clothing manufacturers are ________ (2) to improve transparency throughout their supply chains while investing in recycled materials. Although environmentally friendly products are becoming more common, their higher prices still represent a significant ________ (3) for many consumers. For sustainable fashion to become mainstream, it must be both affordable and widely ________ (4).

Options:

(1) D) turns C) turn B) turned A) turning

(2) D) stripping C) striking B) struggling A) striving

(3) D) benefit C) bargain B) banner A) barrier

(4) D) availably C) avail B) availability A) available



Answers:

(1) A) turning – Maintains parallel structure with "are gradually turning."

(2) A) striving – "Striving to improve" is the correct collocation.

(3) A) barrier – High prices are a barrier for consumers.

(4) A) available – "Affordable and widely available" is the standard expression.

 

No comments:

Post a Comment

10 PTE Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks Practice Questions

10 PTE Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks Practice Questions Key Strategy Reminder: In this task, you must drag and drop words int...