PTE Reading: Drag and Drop (Fill in the Blanks)

A comprehensive guide to the PTE Reading: Drag and Drop (Fill in the Blanks) task, complete with useful tips, exam strategies, key facts, and 5 practice sets designed to match real PTE test difficulty, with options below each passage and answers provided.

1. Exam Format, Scoring & Key Facts

What is this task?

You will see a passage with 4-6 blanks.
Below the passage, you will see a blue box containing 6-8 words (more words than blanks).
You must drag and drop the correct word from the blue box into each blank.

Key Facts

Aspect	Detail
Number of Questions	You will get 4-5 of these passages in the Reading section.
Time	The entire Reading section has 29-30 minutes. Spend no more than 2-3 minutes per passage.
Scoring	Each correct answer gives you 1 point. There is no negative marking.
Skill Tested	This task tests your vocabulary, grammar, collocations, and understanding of context.

Critical Strategy

Unlike the dropdown version, this task requires you to identify the correct word from a pool of options. The key is to:

1. Read the passage first to understand context.

2. Eliminate words that don't fit grammatically.

3. Use collocations to find the most natural word pairings.

4. Check for extra words — there will always be more options than blanks.

2. Effective Strategies for Success

Step-by-Step Approach

Step	Action	Why?
1	Skim the passage	Read the entire passage quickly to understand the topic and overall meaning.
2	Read the sentence with the blank	Read the full sentence to understand the context.
3	Predict the missing word	Before looking at the options, try to guess what word fits logically and grammatically.
4	Scan the options	Look at the blue box below and identify words that match your prediction.
5	Eliminate incorrect options	Cross out (mentally) words that are: - Grammatically wrong (wrong tense, wrong part of speech) - Logically wrong (don't fit the meaning) - Collocation errors (don't pair naturally with surrounding words)
6	Drag and drop	Place the word in the blank.
7	Re-read the completed sentence	Ensure the sentence sounds natural and makes sense.
8	Repeat for all blanks	Continue the process for each blank.
9	Check unused words	Ensure you have used the best words and have not left a better word unused.

Common Grammar Rules to Check

Grammar Rule	Example
Subject-Verb Agreement	If the subject is singular, the verb must be singular. e.g., "The researcher *conducts* experiments."
Tense Consistency	If the passage is in the past tense, all verbs should generally be in the past tense. e.g., "The scientist *discovered* a new species."
Prepositions	Certain words require specific prepositions. e.g., "*Interested in," "Dependent on," "Contribute to*."
Part of Speech	Determine if you need a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb. e.g., "The *rapid* (adjective) growth" vs. "grow *rapidly* (adverb)."
Collocations	Common word pairings. e.g., "*Make a decision," "Take responsibility," "Pay attention*."

Common Trap Types to Avoid

Trap Type	Example	Why It's Wrong
Close Synonyms	"Obtain" vs. "Attain"	One may fit the collocation better (e.g., "attain a goal" vs. "obtain a degree").
Wrong Part of Speech	"Analyze" vs. "Analysis"	The blank may need a noun, not a verb.
Wrong Preposition	"Depend of" vs. "Depend on"	The incorrect preposition is grammatically wrong.
Distractors	Words from the same topic but wrong meaning	They may seem related but don't fit the context.

PTE Reading: Drag and Drop (Fill in the Blanks)

5 more practice sets in the exact drag-and-drop format you requested, with the Word Bank below each passage.

Each set is designed to match real PTE Reading: Drag and Drop difficulty, testing collocations, grammar, and contextual meaning.

PTE Reading: Drag and Drop (Fill in the Blanks)

5 Practice Sets

Set 1

Passage:

"The rapid expansion of urban areas has ______(1) numerous environmental challenges, including air pollution and the loss of biodiversity. To mitigate these effects, city planners must ______(2) green infrastructure projects, such as parks and green roofs. These initiatives not only improve air quality but also ______(3) the overall well-being of residents. However, the success of such projects largely ______(4) on sustained government funding and community engagement."

Word Bank:

created, implement, enhance, depends, solve, ignore, reduce

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	created
(2)	implement
(3)	enhance
(4)	depends

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	created	"Created challenges" is a natural collocation.
(2)	implement	"Implement projects" is a strong collocation.
(3)	enhance	"Enhance well-being" is a common collocation.
(4)	depends	"Depends on" is the correct phrase.

Set 2

Passage:

"The rise of remote work has ______(1) traditional office culture in many organizations. While some employees ______(2) the flexibility it offers, others find it difficult to maintain work-life balance. To address this, companies must ______(3) clear policies that support both productivity and employee well-being. Furthermore, regular communication and team-building activities can help ______(4) a sense of connection among remote workers."

Word Bank:

transformed, appreciate, establish, foster, rejected, ignore, maintain

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	transformed
(2)	appreciate
(3)	establish
(4)	foster

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	transformed	"Transformed office culture" is a strong collocation.
(2)	appreciate	"Appreciate the flexibility" is a natural expression.
(3)	establish	"Establish policies" is a common collocation.
(4)	foster	"Foster a sense of connection" means to encourage or develop it.

Set 3

Passage:

"The global demand for renewable energy has ______(1) significantly in recent years, driven by concerns about climate change. Governments worldwide are now ______(2) to invest in solar and wind power infrastructure. However, the transition to clean energy is not without challenges, as it requires substantial ______(3) in new technology and grid modernization. To ensure a smooth transition, policymakers must ______(4) long-term strategies that balance environmental goals with economic growth."

Word Bank:

increased, striving, investment, develop, decreased, ignoring, maintenance

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	increased
(2)	striving
(3)	investment
(4)	develop

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	increased	"Demand has increased" is a natural collocation.
(2)	striving	"Striving to invest" means making a strong effort to do so.
(3)	investment	"Requires substantial investment" is a strong collocation.
(4)	develop	"Develop strategies" is a common academic expression.

Set 4

Passage:

"Effective leadership is often characterized by the ability to ______(1) others toward a common goal. Leaders who ______(2) clear communication and empathy tend to build more cohesive teams. However, even the most skilled leaders can ______(3) challenges when faced with unexpected crises. In such situations, the ability to ______(4) quickly and adapt to changing circumstances becomes paramount."

Word Bank:

guide, prioritize, encounter, respond, follow, ignore, avoid

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	guide
(2)	prioritize
(3)	encounter
(4)	respond

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	guide	"Guide others toward a goal" is a natural leadership expression.
(2)	prioritize	"Prioritize communication" is a strong collocation.
(3)	encounter	"Encounter challenges" means to face or experience difficulties.
(4)	respond	"Respond quickly" is a natural collocation in crisis situations.

Set 5

Passage:

"The preservation of historical sites is essential for ______(1) cultural heritage for future generations. However, many such sites are ______(2) by natural disasters, pollution, and urban development. To protect these treasures, governments and communities must ______(3) resources toward restoration and maintenance. Additionally, public awareness campaigns can ______(4) a greater appreciation for the historical significance of these landmarks."

Word Bank:

preserving, threatened, allocate, foster, destroy, ignore, protect

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	preserving
(2)	threatened
(3)	allocate
(4)	foster

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	preserving	"Preserving cultural heritage" is a natural collocation.
(2)	threatened	"Threatened by natural disasters" is grammatically and logically correct.
(3)	allocate	"Allocate resources" is a strong collocation meaning to assign resources.
(4)	foster	"Foster appreciation" means to encourage or develop appreciation.

Set 6

Passage:

Word Bank:

created, implement, enhance, depends, solve, ignore, reduce

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	created
(2)	implement
(3)	enhance
(4)	depends

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	created	"Created challenges" is a natural collocation. "Solve" and "reduce" don't fit because the challenges were brought about by expansion.
(2)	implement	"Implement projects" is a strong collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of what planners should do.
(3)	enhance	"Enhance well-being" is a common collocation. "Reduce" would be negative and doesn't fit.
(4)	depends	"Depends on" is the correct phrasal verb. "Created" and "implement" are already used and don't fit grammatically.

Set 7

Passage:

Word Bank:

transformed, appreciate, establish, foster, rejected, ignore, maintain

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	transformed
(2)	appreciate
(3)	establish
(4)	foster

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	transformed	"Transformed culture" is a strong collocation meaning changed significantly. "Ignored" and "rejected" don't fit the positive context.
(2)	appreciate	"Appreciate the flexibility" is a natural collocation. "Reject" is the opposite.
(3)	establish	"Establish policies" is a common collocation. "Ignore" doesn't fit the need for action.
(4)	foster	"Foster a sense of connection" is a strong collocation meaning to encourage or promote. "Maintain" is also possible but "foster" implies actively building something new.

Set 8

Passage:

Word Bank:

increased, striving, investment, develop, decreased, ignoring, maintenance

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	increased
(2)	striving
(3)	investment
(4)	develop

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	increased	"Demand has increased" is a natural collocation. "Decreased" is the opposite and doesn't fit the context.
(2)	striving	"Striving to invest" means making great efforts. "Ignoring" is the opposite of what governments are doing.
(3)	investment	"Requires investment" is a strong collocation. "Maintenance" is related but refers to upkeep, not initial funding.
(4)	develop	"Develop strategies" is a common collocation. "Ignoring" doesn't fit the need for proactive planning.

Set 9

Passage:

Word Bank:

guide, prioritize, encounter, respond, follow, ignore, avoid

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	guide
(2)	prioritize
(3)	encounter
(4)	respond

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	guide	"Guide others" is a natural collocation for leadership. "Follow" is the opposite of leading.
(2)	prioritize	"Prioritize communication" is a strong collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of what good leaders do.
(3)	encounter	"Encounter challenges" is a common collocation meaning to face or experience. "Avoid" would mean they don't face them, which isn't true in crises.
(4)	respond	"Respond quickly" is a natural collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of what is needed in a crisis.

Set 10

Passage:

Word Bank:

preserving, threatened, allocate, foster, destroy, ignore, protect

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	preserving
(2)	threatened
(3)	allocate
(4)	foster

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	preserving	"Preserving heritage" is a natural collocation. "Destroy" is the opposite of preservation.
(2)	threatened	"Threatened by disasters" is a common collocation. "Protected" is the opposite and doesn't fit the context of danger.
(3)	allocate	"Allocate resources" is a strong collocation meaning to assign or dedicate. "Ignore" is the opposite of what is needed.
(4)	foster	"Foster appreciation" means to encourage or promote. "Destroy" is the opposite. "Protect" is possible but "foster" is more precise for building appreciation.

Summary Checklist for Exam Day

Action	Time
Skim the passage	30 seconds
Read the sentence with the blank	30 seconds per blank
Scan the word bank	20 seconds
Eliminate incorrect options	20 seconds per blank
Drag and drop	10 seconds per blank
Re-read the completed passage	20 seconds
Total	Approx. 2-3 minutes per passage

Final Tips:

If you are unsure, make an educated guess. There is no negative marking, so never leave a blank empty.
Pay attention to collocations. Words that often go together are frequently tested.
Check grammar first. Eliminating grammatically incorrect options often narrows your choices to 1-2 options.
Read the entire passage before filling in blanks. Understanding the overall meaning helps you choose the correct word for each blank.
Practice regularly. The more you practice, the faster and more accurate you become.

20 More Tough PTE Reading: Drag-and-Drop Practice Sets (Sets 11–30)

Each set contains a Passage, Word Bank, Answers, and Short Reasons, exactly as provided, with Set numbers 11–30 clearly marked.

Set 11

Passage:

"The rapid pace of technological innovation has _____(1) nearly every aspect of modern life. While many celebrate these advancements, others _____(2) concerns about privacy and job displacement. To address these issues, governments must _____(3) regulations that balance innovation with citizen protection. Ultimately, the goal is to _____(4) a society where technology serves humanity rather than the other way around."

Word Bank:

transformed, raise, implement, create, ignore, decrease, reject

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	transformed
(2)	raise
(3)	implement
(4)	create

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	transformed	"Transformed aspects" is a strong collocation meaning changed significantly. "Ignored" doesn't fit the impact described.
(2)	raise	"Raise concerns" is a very common collocation. "Decrease" is the opposite and doesn't fit.
(3)	implement	"Implement regulations" is a strong collocation. "Reject" is the opposite of what governments should do.
(4)	create	"Create a society" is a natural collocation. "Ignore" doesn't fit the proactive goal.

Set 12

Passage:

"The quality of education in any country is closely _____(1) to the training and support provided to its teachers. Educators who _____(2) professional development opportunities are better equipped to engage students. However, many school systems _____(3) insufficient resources to adequately fund such programs. To improve outcomes, policymakers must _____(4) education as a top priority."

Word Bank:

linked, pursue, allocate, prioritize, ignore, reject, connected

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	linked
(2)	pursue
(3)	allocate
(4)	prioritize

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	linked	"Closely linked" is a strong collocation. "Connected" is similar but "linked" is more formal and common in academic writing.
(2)	pursue	"Pursue opportunities" is a natural collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of what good teachers do.
(3)	allocate	"Allocate resources" is a strong collocation meaning to assign funds. "Reject" doesn't fit the context.
(4)	prioritize	"Prioritize education" is a common collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of what policymakers should do.

Set 13

Passage:

"The global population is aging at an unprecedented rate, _____(1) significant pressure on healthcare systems worldwide. Countries with limited resources _____(2) particularly hard to provide adequate care for their elderly citizens. To address this challenge, governments must _____(3) in preventive care and community-based support programs. Failure to act now could _____(4) in a healthcare crisis of massive proportions."

Word Bank:

placing, are hit, invest, result, have hit, reduce, cause

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	placing
(2)	are hit
(3)	invest
(4)	result

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	placing	"Placing pressure" is a natural collocation. "Reducing" is the opposite of what the aging population is doing.
(2)	are hit	"Are hit hard" is an idiom meaning severely affected. "Have hit" would be active and doesn't fit the passive context.
(3)	invest	"Invest in" is the correct phrasal verb. "Reduce" doesn't fit the need for action.
(4)	result	"Result in" is the correct phrasal verb meaning to cause. "Cause" requires a different structure.

Set 14

Passage:

"The rise of social media has _____(1) the way people consume news and information. While these platforms offer unprecedented access to diverse perspectives, they also _____(2) the spread of misinformation. To combat this, tech companies are _____(3) new algorithms to detect and flag false content. However, these efforts are often _____(4) by the sheer volume of data generated daily."

Word Bank:

revolutionized, facilitate, developing, overwhelmed, destroyed, hinder, implemented

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	revolutionized
(2)	facilitate
(3)	developing
(4)	overwhelmed

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	revolutionized	"Revolutionized the way" is a strong collocation meaning fundamentally changed. "Destroyed" is too negative.
(2)	facilitate	"Facilitate the spread" is a natural collocation meaning to make easier. "Hinder" is the opposite.
(3)	developing	"Developing algorithms" is a strong collocation. "Implemented" would be past tense but the context suggests ongoing action.
(4)	overwhelmed	"Overwhelmed by volume" is a common collocation. "Destroyed" is too extreme.

Set 15

Passage:

"Effective time management is a critical skill for professionals in high-pressure environments. Those who _____(1) their tasks based on urgency and importance are more likely to _____(2) their goals. However, many employees _____(3) with prioritizing their workload, leading to stress and burnout. To overcome this, organizations should _____(4) training programs that teach practical time management strategies."

Word Bank:

prioritize, achieve, struggle, offer, ignore, miss, reject

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	prioritize
(2)	achieve
(3)	struggle
(4)	offer

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	prioritize	"Prioritize tasks" is a very common collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of good time management.
(2)	achieve	"Achieve goals" is a strong collocation. "Miss" is the opposite.
(3)	struggle	"Struggle with" is the correct phrasal verb. "Reject" doesn't fit the context of difficulty.
(4)	offer	"Offer training" is a natural collocation. "Reject" is the opposite of what organizations should do.

Set 16

Passage:

"The conservation of natural resources is essential for _____(1) long-term environmental sustainability. However, many industries continue to _____(2) practices that deplete these resources at an alarming rate. To reverse this trend, governments must _____(3) stricter environmental regulations and _____(4) sustainable business practices."

Word Bank:

ensuring, engage in, enforce, incentivize, prevent, ignore, reduce

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	ensuring
(2)	engage in
(3)	enforce
(4)	incentivize

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	ensuring	"Ensuring sustainability" is a strong collocation. "Preventing" is the opposite.
(2)	engage in	"Engage in practices" is a natural collocation. "Ignore" doesn't fit the active context.
(3)	enforce	"Enforce regulations" is a strong collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of what governments should do.
(4)	incentivize	"Incentivize practices" means to encourage or promote. "Reduce" doesn't fit the positive context.

Set 17

Passage:

"The psychological concept of 'growth mindset' has _____(1) considerable attention in educational circles. Students who _____(2) a growth mindset are more resilient in the face of academic challenges. Teachers play a crucial role in _____(3) this mindset by praising effort rather than innate ability. However, implementing this approach _____(4) a fundamental shift in how educators assess student performance."

Word Bank:

gained, possess, fostering, requires, lost, reject, develop

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	gained
(2)	possess
(3)	fostering
(4)	requires

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	gained	"Gained attention" is a very common collocation. "Lost" is the opposite.
(2)	possess	"Possess a mindset" means to have or hold. "Reject" is the opposite.
(3)	fostering	"Fostering a mindset" means to encourage or promote. "Developing" is similar but "fostering" is more precise in this context.
(4)	requires	"Requires a shift" is a strong collocation. "Reject" doesn't fit the need for change.

Set 18

Passage:

"The globalization of supply chains has _____(1) significant economic benefits for many developing countries. However, it has also _____(2) these nations to fluctuations in global commodity prices. To mitigate this risk, governments are _____(3) their economies by investing in diverse industries. The long-term success of these strategies _____(4) on effective implementation and political stability."

Word Bank:

brought, exposed, diversifying, depends, created, protected, ignoring

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	brought
(2)	exposed
(3)	diversifying
(4)	depends

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	brought	"Brought benefits" is a natural collocation. "Created" is also possible but "brought" is more common.
(2)	exposed	"Exposed to fluctuations" is a strong collocation. "Protected" is the opposite.
(3)	diversifying	"Diversifying economies" means to broaden the range of industries. "Ignoring" is the opposite.
(4)	depends	"Depends on" is the correct phrasal verb. "Created" and "brought" are already used.

Set 19

Passage:

"The rise of artificial intelligence has _____(1) ethical questions about privacy and autonomy. While AI can _____(2) human decision-making, it also risks perpetuating existing biases. To address these concerns, developers must _____(3) transparency and accountability into their systems. Ultimately, the goal is to _____(4) that AI serves the public good."

Word Bank:

raised, enhance, build, ensure, rejected, diminish, ignore

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	raised
(2)	enhance
(3)	build
(4)	ensure

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	raised	"Raised questions" is a very common collocation. "Rejected" is the opposite.
(2)	enhance	"Enhance decision-making" means to improve. "Diminish" is the opposite.
(3)	build	"Build transparency into" means to incorporate. "Ignore" is the opposite of what developers should do.
(4)	ensure	"Ensure that" is a common structure meaning to make certain. "Ignore" doesn't fit.

Set 20

Passage:

"The mental health of employees is a growing concern for organizations worldwide. Workers who _____(1) high levels of stress are more likely to experience burnout and decreased productivity. To address this, companies must _____(2) supportive workplace cultures that prioritize well-being. Additionally, providing access to counseling services can _____(3) employees in managing their stress effectively. Ultimately, investing in mental health _____(4) significant returns in employee engagement and retention."

Word Bank:

experience, foster, assist, yields, ignore, reject, reduce

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	experience
(2)	foster
(3)	assist
(4)	yields

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	experience	"Experience stress" is a natural collocation. "Ignore" doesn't fit the context of suffering.
(2)	foster	"Foster cultures" means to encourage or promote. "Reject" is the opposite.
(3)	assist	"Assist employees" means to help. "Ignore" is the opposite of supporting.
(4)	yields	"Yields returns" means to produce or bring. "Reduces" is the opposite.

Set 21

Passage:

"The concept of 'digital detox' has _____(1) popularity as people seek to reduce their screen time. Advocates argue that unplugging from devices can _____(2) mental clarity and improve sleep quality. However, critics suggest that the benefits are often _____(3) and that sustainable change requires a fundamental shift in habits. To truly benefit, individuals must _____(4) new behaviors that promote healthy technology use."

Word Bank:

gained, enhance, short-lived, adopt, lost, diminish, permanent

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	gained
(2)	enhance
(3)	short-lived
(4)	adopt

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	gained	"Gained popularity" is a very common collocation. "Lost" is the opposite.
(2)	enhance	"Enhance mental clarity" means to improve. "Diminish" is the opposite.
(3)	short-lived	"Short-lived" means temporary, which fits the criticism. "Permanent" is the opposite.
(4)	adopt	"Adopt behaviors" means to start using. "Ignore" doesn't fit the need for change.

Set 22

Passage:

"The transition to renewable energy is _____(1) by significant technical and financial challenges. While solar and wind power are becoming more cost-effective, they still _____(2) substantial investment in grid infrastructure. Governments must _____(3) these obstacles by offering incentives for clean energy projects. Ultimately, the long-term benefits of renewable energy _____(4) the initial costs."

Word Bank:

hindered, require, overcome, outweigh, helped, reduce, ignore

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	hindered
(2)	require
(3)	overcome
(4)	outweigh

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	hindered	"Hindered by challenges" means obstructed or made difficult. "Helped" is the opposite.
(2)	require	"Require investment" is a strong collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of what the transition needs.
(3)	overcome	"Overcome obstacles" is a common collocation. "Ignore" doesn't fit the need for action.
(4)	outweigh	"Outweigh the costs" means to be more significant than. "Reduce" doesn't fit the comparison.

Set 23

Passage:

"The field of epigenetics has _____(1) our understanding of how genes are expressed. Researchers have discovered that environmental factors can _____(2) gene activity without altering the DNA sequence itself. These findings have _____(3) implications for the treatment of diseases such as cancer. However, the complex nature of epigenetic mechanisms _____(4) further investigation."

Word Bank:

revolutionized, influence, profound, requires, rejected, minor, ignores

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	revolutionized
(2)	influence
(3)	profound
(4)	requires

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	revolutionized	"Revolutionized understanding" means fundamentally changed. "Rejected" is the opposite.
(2)	influence	"Influence gene activity" means to affect. "Ignore" doesn't fit.
(3)	profound	"Profound implications" means deep and significant. "Minor" is the opposite.
(4)	requires	"Requires investigation" is a strong collocation. "Ignores" is the opposite.

Set 24

Passage:

"Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful teamwork. Team members who _____(1) actively and share their perspectives contribute to better decision-making. However, conflicts can _____(2) when individuals fail to understand each other's viewpoints. To prevent this, teams must _____(3) an environment of mutual respect and _____(4) open dialogue."

Word Bank:

listen, arise, foster, encourage, ignore, avoid, reject

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	listen
(2)	arise
(3)	foster
(4)	encourage

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	listen	"Listen actively" is a strong collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of communication.
(2)	arise	"Conflicts arise" means they occur. "Avoid" is the opposite.
(3)	foster	"Foster an environment" means to create or promote. "Reject" is the opposite.
(4)	encourage	"Encourage dialogue" is a natural collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite.

Set 25

Passage:

"The automation of manufacturing processes has _____(1) the need for human intervention in production lines. While this has increased efficiency, it has also _____(2) to job displacement in many sectors. To address this, governments must _____(3) in retraining programs that equip workers with new skills. The future of work _____(4) on the ability of societies to adapt to these changes."

Word Bank:

reduced, led, invest, depends, increased, contributed, ignore

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	reduced
(2)	led
(3)	invest
(4)	depends

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	reduced	"Reduced the need" means decreased. "Increased" is the opposite.
(2)	led	"Led to" is the correct phrasal verb meaning caused. "Contributed" requires "to" but "led" is more direct.
(3)	invest	"Invest in" is the correct phrasal verb. "Ignore" is the opposite.
(4)	depends	"Depends on" is the correct phrasal verb. "Reduced" and "led" are already used.

Set 26

Passage:

"The concept of 'sustainable fashion' has _____(1) increasing attention as consumers become more environmentally conscious. Brands that _____(2) sustainable practices often gain a competitive advantage. However, critics accuse many companies of 'greenwashing' — _____(3) exaggerated claims about their environmental efforts. To build genuine trust, fashion brands must _____(4) full transparency across their supply chains."

Word Bank:

attracted, embrace, making, ensure, rejected, avoid, ignore

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	attracted
(2)	embrace
(3)	making
(4)	ensure

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	attracted	"Attracted attention" is a very common collocation. "Rejected" is the opposite.
(2)	embrace	"Embrace practices" means to adopt willingly. "Avoid" is the opposite.
(3)	making	"Making claims" is a natural collocation. "Ignoring" doesn't fit the context of criticism.
(4)	ensure	"Ensure transparency" means to make certain. "Ignore" is the opposite.

Set 27

Passage:

"The study of ancient civilizations _____(1) valuable insights into human history and cultural development. Archaeologists who _____(2) in this field often uncover artifacts that challenge established narratives. However, the preservation of these artifacts _____(3) significant funding and expertise. Without adequate resources, many historical sites _____(4) the risk of being lost forever."

Word Bank:

provides, specialize, requires, face, offer, ignore, avoid

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	provides
(2)	specialize
(3)	requires
(4)	face

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	provides	"Provides insights" is a strong collocation. "Offers" is also possible but "provides" is more formal.
(2)	specialize	"Specialize in" is the correct phrasal verb. "Ignore" doesn't fit.
(3)	requires	"Requires funding" is a natural collocation. "Avoids" is the opposite.
(4)	face	"Face the risk" is a common collocation. "Avoid" is the opposite of the reality described.

Set 28

Passage:

"The rapid development of smart cities has _____(1) the potential to improve urban living significantly. By integrating technology into infrastructure, cities can _____(2) efficiency and reduce costs. However, concerns about data privacy _____(3) as more devices collect personal information. To address this, policymakers must _____(4) a balance between innovation and citizen protection."

Word Bank:

demonstrated, enhance, arise, strike, hidden, reduce, ignore

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	demonstrated
(2)	enhance
(3)	arise
(4)	strike

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	demonstrated	"Demonstrated potential" means shown or proven. "Hidden" is the opposite.
(2)	enhance	"Enhance efficiency" means to improve. "Reduce" is the opposite.
(3)	arise	"Concerns arise" means they emerge. "Ignore" doesn't fit the active context.
(4)	strike	"Strike a balance" is a strong collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of achieving balance.

Set 29

Passage:

"The importance of early childhood education cannot be _____(1). Research has shown that children who _____(2) quality preschool programs perform better academically later in life. However, access to such programs _____(3) significantly across different regions. To ensure equal opportunities, governments must _____(4) in early education initiatives."

Word Bank:

overstated, attend, varies, invest, ignored, reject, reduce

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	overstated
(2)	attend
(3)	varies
(4)	invest

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	overstated	"Cannot be overstated" is a common idiom meaning extremely important. "Ignored" doesn't fit the structure.
(2)	attend	"Attend programs" is a natural collocation. "Reject" is the opposite.
(3)	varies	"Varies across" means differs. "Reduces" doesn't fit the context of comparison.
(4)	invest	"Invest in" is the correct phrasal verb. "Ignore" is the opposite.

Set 30

Passage:

"The field of behavioural economics has _____(1) traditional assumptions about human rationality. Researchers have shown that emotions and cognitive biases often _____(2) decision-making. This has significant _____(3) for public policy, particularly in areas like savings and health. By understanding how people actually behave, governments can _____(4) more effective interventions."

Word Bank:

challenged, influence, implications, design, confirmed, ignore, reduce

Answers:

Blank	Answer
(1)	challenged
(2)	influence
(3)	implications
(4)	design

Short Reasons:

Blank	Answer	Reason
(1)	challenged	"Challenged assumptions" means questioned or disputed. "Confirmed" is the opposite.
(2)	influence	"Influence decision-making" means to affect. "Ignore" is the opposite.
(3)	implications	"Significant implications" means important consequences. "Reductions" doesn't fit.
(4)	design	"Design interventions" is a strong collocation. "Ignore" is the opposite of what governments should do.

Summary Checklist for Exam Day

Action	Time
Skim the passage	30 seconds
Read each sentence with the blank	30 seconds per blank
Scan the word bank	20 seconds
Eliminate incorrect options	20 seconds per blank
Drag and drop	10 seconds per blank
Re-read the completed passage	20 seconds
Total	Approx. 2–3 minutes per passage

Final Tips

If you are unsure, make an educated guess. There is no negative marking, so never leave a blank empty.
Pay attention to collocations. Words that often go together are frequently tested.
Check grammar first. Eliminating grammatically incorrect options often narrows your choices to 1–2 options.
Read the entire passage before filling in blanks. Understanding the overall meaning helps you choose the correct word for each blank.
Practice regularly. The more you practice, the faster and more accurate you become.

Saturday, 22 August 2026

Day 4 PTE Reading: Drag and Drop (Fill in the Blanks)

1. Exam Format, Scoring & Key Facts

What is this task?

Key Facts

Critical Strategy

2. Effective Strategies for Success

Step-by-Step Approach

Common Grammar Rules to Check

Common Trap Types to Avoid

PTE Reading: Drag and Drop (Fill in the Blanks)

PTE Reading: Drag and Drop (Fill in the Blanks)

5 Practice Sets

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3

Set 4

Set 5

Set 6

Set 7

Set 8

Set 9

Set 10

Summary Checklist for Exam Day

Final Tips:

20 More Tough PTE Reading: Drag-and-Drop Practice Sets (Sets 11–30)

Set 11

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Set 12

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Set 13

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Set 14

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Set 15

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Set 16

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Set 17

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Set 18

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Set 19

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Set 20

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Set 21

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Set 22

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Set 23

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Set 24

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Set 25

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Set 26

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Set 27

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Set 28

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