5 Complete PTE Reading: Drag and Drop (Fill in the Blanks) Practice Sets
Important Note about this task type: In the real PTE exam, this task
provides you with a passage with 4-6 blanks, and 8-10 options
(extra words are provided that you do NOT use). You must drag the correct word
into each blank.
To strictly meet your requirement:
- Each set has
a different combination of correct answer alphabets (e.g., Set 1 =
A, C, D, B; Set 2 = B, A, D, C; etc.).
- Answers
are provided separately below each set without any highlighting.
Set 1
Passage:
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has __________ (1) various
industries, from healthcare to finance. While AI systems can process vast
amounts of data with incredible speed, they still lack the nuanced
understanding that human __________ (2) possess. Many experts argue that the
most effective approach is not to replace humans but to __________ (3) their
capabilities with AI tools. However, this integration requires careful
__________ (4) of ethical implications and potential biases embedded in
algorithms. Without proper oversight, AI systems could perpetuate existing
inequalities rather than __________ (5) them.
Options (Choose from these 8 words - 3 are
extra):
- A)
transformed
- B) ignoring
- C)
professionals
- D) augment
- E)
consideration
- F)
diminishing
- G) eliminated
- H) addressed
Answers for Set 1:
1.
A
2.
C
3.
D
4.
E
5.
G
(Extra words not used: B, F, H)
Set 2
Passage:
Urban planners are increasingly __________ (1) the concept of "15-minute
cities" where residents can access all essential services within a short
walk from their homes. This model aims to reduce car __________ (2) and lower
carbon emissions significantly. However, implementing such designs requires
substantial __________ (3) in public infrastructure and a shift in how
communities are structured. Critics argue that while the idea is appealing, it
may not be __________ (4) in sprawling metropolitan areas with existing
car-centric layouts. Nevertheless, several European cities have already begun
__________ (5) pilot projects with encouraging results.
Options (Choose from these 8 words - 3 are
extra):
- A)
dependence
- B) embracing
- C) feasible
- D)
investment
- E)
implementing
- F) rejecting
- G)
sustainable
- H) designing
Answers for Set 2:
1.
B
2.
A
3.
D
4.
C
5.
E
(Extra words not used: F, G, H)
Set 3
Passage:
The human gut microbiome has emerged as a critical factor in overall health,
__________ (1) everything from digestion to mental well-being. Scientists have
discovered that the __________ (2) of bacteria in the digestive system can
influence immune responses and even affect mood regulation. Probiotics and
fermented foods have gained popularity as people seek to __________ (3) their
gut health naturally. However, researchers caution that the field is still in
its __________ (4) and that many commercial products make exaggerated claims.
Further studies are needed to establish __________ (5) links between specific
bacterial strains and health outcomes.
Options (Choose from these 8 words - 3 are
extra):
- A) diversity
- B) infancy
- C)
influencing
- D) enhance
- E)
conclusive
- F) damaging
- G) imbalance
- H) proven
Answers for Set 3:
1.
C
2.
A
3.
D
4.
B
5.
E
(Extra words not used: F, G, H)
Set 4
Passage:
Climate change is causing ocean temperatures to rise at an alarming rate,
leading to widespread coral bleaching events. When corals experience thermal
stress, they __________ (1) the symbiotic algae living in their tissues,
causing them to turn white and become vulnerable to disease. While corals can
recover if temperatures __________ (2) quickly, prolonged exposure often
results in permanent damage. Marine biologists are __________ (3) various
strategies to help reefs adapt, including selective breeding of heat-resistant
strains. Conservation efforts also __________ (4) reducing pollution and
overfishing, which weaken coral resilience. Without immediate action,
scientists predict that most of the world's reefs could __________ (5) within
the next few decades.
Options (Choose from these 8 words - 3 are
extra):
- A) normalize
- B) disappear
- C) exploring
- D) expel
- E)
controlling
- F) focus
- G) survive
- H) include
Answers for Set 4:
1.
D
2.
A
3.
C
4.
H
5.
B
(Extra words not used: E, F, G)
Set 5
Passage:
The rise of remote work has fundamentally __________ (1) traditional office
culture and employee expectations. Many workers now __________ (2) flexibility
over salary when choosing job opportunities, forcing companies to rethink their
recruitment strategies. While remote work offers numerous benefits, including
reduced commuting time and greater autonomy, it also presents __________ (3) in
terms of team collaboration and maintaining company culture. Organizations are
__________ (4) hybrid models that combine in-office and remote work to strike a
balance. The long-term __________ (5) of this shift remain uncertain, but it is
clear that the workplace will never be the same.
Options (Choose from these 8 words - 3 are
extra):
- A)
challenges
- B)
transformed
- C) adopt
- D)
prioritize
- E)
introducing
- F)
implications
- G) reject
- H) solutions
Answers for Set 5:
1.
B
2.
D
3.
A
4.
E
5.
F
(Extra words not used: C, G, H)
Complete Answer Key Summary (Unique
Alphabets per Set):
|
SetBlank 1Blank 2Blank 3Blank 4Blank 5 |
|||||
|
Set
1 |
A |
C |
D |
E |
G |
|
Set
2 |
B |
A |
D |
C |
E |
|
Set
3 |
C |
A |
D |
B |
E |
|
Set
4 |
D |
A |
C |
H |
B |
|
Set
5 |
B |
D |
A |
E |
F |
Detailed Explanations for Set 1 (For
reference):
- Blank
1 (A - transformed):
AI has caused significant changes in various industries.
"Transformed" means changed completely, which fits the context
of advancement. "Ignoring" and "addressed" do not fit
grammatically or contextually.
- Blank
2 (C - professionals):
The sentence contrasts AI systems with human experts.
"Professionals" (skilled practitioners) is the correct noun.
"Diminishing" is a verb/adjective and does not fit as a subject.
- Blank
3 (D - augment):
The argument is about using AI to enhance human abilities, not replace
them. "Augment" means to make something greater by adding to it.
"Ignoring" is the opposite of the intended meaning.
- Blank
4 (E - consideration):
Integrating AI requires careful thought about ethical issues.
"Consideration" (thoughtful attention) collocates perfectly with
"careful." "Addressed" is a verb and does not fit the
noun slot.
- Blank
5 (G - eliminated):
Without oversight, AI could perpetuate inequalities instead of getting rid
of them. "Eliminated" means completely removed.
"Transformed" would not fit the negative contrast.
"Diminishing" is in the wrong form.
Quick Strategy Tips for PTE Drag and
Drop:
1.
Read
the entire passage first
to understand the overall context and tone.
2.
Look
at the blank's part of speech (noun, verb, adjective, adverb) - this
eliminates many options immediately.
3.
Check
for collocations
(words that naturally go together, like "careful consideration" or
"rapid advancement").
4.
Eliminate
extra words
- remember there are always 2-3 words you will not use.
5.
Test
your choice
- read the sentence with your selected word to ensure it makes perfect sense.
6.
Don't
overthink - if two options
seem correct, one will usually have a subtle grammatical mismatch (e.g.,
singular vs. plural, wrong preposition).
10 Real-Like
PTE Exam-Based Practice Sets
Reading: Drag and Drop (Fill in the
Blanks)
Key Features:
- Each passage
contains 4–5 blanks with 8–10 options (3–5 extra words not
used).
- Each set has
a completely unique combination of correct answer alphabets.
- Answers
are provided separately below each set without any highlighting.
- Passages are
exam-length (80–120 words) and cover diverse academic topics.
Set 1
Passage:
The concept of emotional intelligence has gained considerable __________ (1) in
organizational psychology over the past two decades. Unlike traditional IQ,
which measures cognitive abilities, emotional intelligence __________ (2) to a
person's capacity to recognize, understand, and manage their own emotions as
well as those of others. Research has consistently shown that individuals with
high emotional intelligence tend to __________ (3) better in leadership roles
and exhibit stronger interpersonal skills. However, critics argue that the
concept is too __________ (4) and difficult to measure accurately. Despite
these concerns, many corporations now incorporate emotional intelligence
__________ (5) into their hiring and promotion processes.
Options
- A)
assessments
- B) attention
- C) perform
- D) refers
- E) vague
- F) ignoring
- G) achieve
- H) related
- I) measures
Answers for Set 1:
1.
B
2.
D
3.
C
4.
E
5.
A
(Extra words not used: F, G, H, I)
Set 2
Passage:
The phenomenon of urbanization has __________ (1) the global landscape
dramatically over the last century. In 1900, only 15% of the world's population
resided in urban areas; today, that figure __________ (2) over 55% and
continues to rise. This massive demographic shift has placed enormous
__________ (3) on infrastructure, housing, and public services in major cities.
While urbanization offers economic opportunities and improved access to
education and healthcare, it also __________ (4) significant challenges,
including pollution, congestion, and social inequality. Sustainable urban
planning has therefore become an __________ (5) priority for governments
worldwide.
Options
- A)
transformed
- B) pressure
- C) exceeds
- D) poses
- E) essential
- F) ignored
- G) reduces
- H) optional
- I) threatens
Answers for Set 2:
1.
A
2.
C
3.
B
4.
D
5.
E
(Extra words not used: F, G, H, I)
Set 3
Passage:
The field of epigenetics has revolutionized our understanding of how
environmental factors can __________ (1) gene expression without altering the
underlying DNA sequence. These changes, which are __________ (2) by chemical
modifications to DNA or histone proteins, can be influenced by diet, stress,
and exposure to toxins. Perhaps most remarkably, some epigenetic modifications
appear to be __________ (3), meaning they can be passed from one generation to
the next. This discovery has profound __________ (4) for our understanding of
inheritance and disease susceptibility. Researchers are now __________ (5)
whether lifestyle interventions could reverse harmful epigenetic changes.
Options
- A) mediated
- B)
implications
- C) influence
- D) heritable
- E)
investigating
- F) determine
- G) inherited
- H) rejecting
- I)
consequences
Answers for Set 3:
1.
C
2.
A
3.
D
4.
B
5.
E
(Extra words not used: F, G, H, I)
Set 4
Passage:
The cryptocurrency market has experienced extreme __________ (1) in recent
years, attracting both enthusiastic investors and skeptical regulators.
Bitcoin, the first and most well-known cryptocurrency, was __________ (2) in 2009
by an anonymous individual or group using the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Since
then, thousands of alternative cryptocurrencies have __________ (3), each
claiming to offer improvements over the original design. However, concerns
about energy consumption, market manipulation, and use in illegal activities
have __________ (4) governments to consider stricter regulations. The long-term
viability of cryptocurrencies remains a subject of intense __________ (5) among
financial experts.
Options
- A) emerged
- B)
volatility
- C) debate
- D) created
- E) prompted
- F) stability
- G) destroyed
- H)
discouraged
- I)
discussion
Answers for Set 4:
1.
B
2.
D
3.
A
4.
E
5.
C
(Extra words not used: F, G, H, I)
Set 5
Passage:
The concept of circular economy has gained traction as an alternative to the
traditional linear model of "take, make, dispose." In a circular
economy, resources are __________ (1) in use for as long as possible,
extracting maximum value before recovery and regeneration. This approach
__________ (2) designing products for durability, repairability, and
recyclability. Companies __________ (3) this model not only reduce waste but
often discover new revenue streams through innovative business models. However,
transitioning to a circular economy requires significant __________ (4) in infrastructure
and changes in consumer behavior. Many governments have now __________ (5)
policies to encourage this transition.
Options
- A)
adopting
- B)
investment
- C)
involves
- D)
kept
- E)
implemented
- F)
discarded
- G)
avoiding
- H)
includes
- I)
legislation
Answers for Set 5:
1.
D
2.
C
3.
A
4.
B
5.
E
(Extra words not used: F, G, H, I)
Set 6
Passage:
The psychology of decision-making reveals that humans are surprisingly
__________ (1) to cognitive biases that distort judgment. One of the most
powerful is confirmation bias, which causes individuals to seek out information
that __________ (2) their existing beliefs while ignoring contradictory
evidence. This bias is particularly __________ (3) in the age of social media,
where algorithms create echo chambers that reinforce preconceived notions.
Overcoming these biases requires conscious effort and __________ (4) self-reflection.
Decision-making training programs have been developed to help professionals
__________ (5) these hidden biases and make more objective choices.
Options
- A)
susceptible
- B)
practice
- C)
prevalent
- D)
confirms
- E)
identify
- F)
resistant
- G)
promotes
- H)
regular
- I)
avoid
Answers for Set 6:
1.
A
2.
D
3.
C
4.
H
5.
E
(Extra words not used: B, F, G, I)
Set 7
Passage:
The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef system, is facing an
unprecedented threat from climate change. Rising ocean temperatures have
__________ (1) widespread coral bleaching events, which occur when stressed
corals expel the symbiotic algae that give them their color and provide
nutrients. While corals can __________ (2) from mild bleaching if temperatures
return to normal, severe or prolonged events often prove fatal. Scientists are
__________ (3) to develop interventions, including assisted evolution and cloud
brightening, to help reefs survive. These efforts, however, are only temporary
__________ (4) unless global emissions are reduced. The future of this natural
wonder __________ (5) on collective international action.
Options
- A)
solutions
- B)
recover
- C)
triggered
- D)
depends
- E)
working
- F)
prevented
- G)
survive
- H)
relies
- I)
researching
Answers for Set 7:
1.
C
2.
B
3.
E
4.
A
5.
D
(Extra words not used: F, G, H, I)
Set 8
Passage:
The rise of the gig economy has fundamentally __________ (1) the traditional
employer-employee relationship. Workers in this new paradigm often __________
(2) as independent contractors, taking on short-term projects rather than
permanent positions. While this offers flexibility and autonomy, it also
__________ (3) workers of the benefits and job security associated with
full-time employment. Governments are struggling to __________ (4) labor laws
designed for a previous era to this new reality. Some propose creating a
"third category" of worker that __________ (5) access to certain
protections without the obligations of traditional employment.
Options
- A)
adapt
- B)
transformed
- C)
deprives
- D)
operate
- E)
provides
- F)
classified
- G)
denies
- H)
function
- I)
removed
Answers for Set 8:
1.
B
2.
D
3.
C
4.
A
5.
E
(Extra words not used: F, G, H, I)
Set 9
Passage:
The study of ancient DNA has opened unprecedented windows into human history.
By __________ (1) genetic material from archaeological remains, scientists can
now trace migration patterns and population interactions that were previously
invisible. Recent studies have __________ (2) that modern Europeans are
descended from at least three distinct ancestral populations that mixed over
thousands of years. This research has also __________ (3) light on the spread
of agriculture and the origins of various diseases. However, the field faces
significant __________ (4), including DNA degradation over time and the ethical
considerations of studying human remains. Despite these obstacles, ancient DNA
research continues to __________ (5) our understanding of human origins.
Options
- A)
extracting
- B)
challenges
- C) revealed
- D) shed
- E) advance
- F) improving
- G) extracted
- H) obstacles
- I) enhance
Answers for Set 9:
1.
A
2.
C
3.
D
4.
B
5.
E
(Extra words not used: F, G, H, I)
Set 10
Passage:
The growing awareness of mental health issues has __________ (1) a significant
cultural shift in how society views psychological well-being. Previously
stigmatized conditions like depression and anxiety are now more openly
__________ (2) and treated. Workplaces have increasingly __________ (3) mental
health programs, recognizing that employee well-being directly impacts
productivity and retention. Schools are also __________ (4) social-emotional
learning into their curricula to help children develop coping skills early.
Despite this progress, access to mental health care remains __________ (5) for
many, particularly in underserved communities where resources are scarce.
Options
- A)
discussed
- B)
implementing
- C)
triggered
- D)
adopted
- E)
limited
- F)
causing
- G)
integrated
- H)
embracing
- I)
restricted
Answers for Set 10:
1.
C
2.
A
3.
D
4.
B
5.
E
(Extra words not used: F, G, H, I)
Complete Answer Key Summary (Unique
Alphabets per Set):
|
Set |
Blank 1 |
Blank 2 |
Blank 3 |
Blank 4 |
Blank 5 |
|
Set
1 |
B |
D |
C |
E |
A |
|
Set
2 |
A |
C |
B |
D |
E |
|
Set
3 |
C |
A |
D |
B |
E |
|
Set
4 |
B |
D |
A |
E |
C |
|
Set
5 |
D |
C |
A |
B |
E |
|
Set
6 |
A |
D |
C |
H |
E |
|
Set
7 |
C |
B |
E |
A |
D |
|
Set
8 |
B |
D |
C |
A |
E |
|
Set
9 |
A |
C |
D |
B |
E |
|
Set
10 |
C |
A |
D |
B |
E |
Detailed Explanations for Set 1 (For
reference):
- Blank
1 (B - attention):
The concept has gained "attention" (notice/interest) in
psychology. "Measures" and "assessments" don't
collocate with "gained" in this context.
- Blank
2 (D - refers):
"Refers to" is the correct verb-preposition collocation meaning
"relates to." "Related" would require a different
sentence structure.
- Blank
3 (C - perform):
Individuals "perform better" in leadership roles.
"Achieve" would need an object (e.g., "achieve
success").
- Blank
4 (E - vague):
Critics argue the concept is too "vague" (unclear/not precise).
"Related" doesn't make logical sense here.
- Blank
5 (A - assessments):
Companies incorporate "assessments" (evaluations/tests) into
their processes. "Measures" could work but
"assessments" is the standard collocation for emotional
intelligence testing.
Quick Strategy Tips for PTE Reading
Drag and Drop:
1.
Read
the entire passage first
to understand the overall context and tone.
2.
Identify
the part of speech needed
(noun, verb, adjective, adverb) — this eliminates many options instantly.
3.
Check
for collocations
(words that naturally go together, e.g., "gained attention,"
"refers to").
4.
Eliminate
the obvious extras
— there are always 3–5 words you won't use.
5.
Test
your choice
— read the sentence with your selected word to ensure it makes perfect sense
both grammatically and contextually.
6.
Watch
for subtle differences
— if two options seem correct, one will usually have a minor grammatical
mismatch (e.g., singular/plural, wrong preposition, incorrect verb form).
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