PTE Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop) Practice Sets

10 High-Difficulty PTE Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop) Practice Sets

Important Note for this Format:

• Each set has more options in the blue box than the number of blanks (e.g., 5 blanks but 7–8 options).
• You will NOT use all the words.
• The correct answers are NOT in order in the blue box—you must identify the correct part of speech and collocation for each blank.
• Answers are given at the end with short grammar/logic reasons.

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SET 1

The transition to renewable energy sources is ______ momentum across the globe. Solar and wind power have become increasingly ______, often matching or beating fossil fuel prices. However, the ______ nature of these energy sources presents a significant storage challenge. ______ battery technology is seen as the key to unlocking their full potential.

gaining	expensive	advanced	reliable
intermittent	losing	cheap

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 1

1	gaining	Collocation: "gaining momentum" is a fixed phrase meaning becoming more popular/stronger. "Losing" would mean the opposite.
2	cheap	After "become increasingly," you need an adjective. The context says they match or beat fossil fuel prices, so "cheap" (inexpensive) fits. "Expensive" contradicts the meaning.
3	intermittent	Before "nature," you need an adjective. Solar and wind are not constant—they are "intermittent" (not continuous). "Reliable" is the opposite of the problem described.
4	advanced	Before "battery technology," you need an adjective. "Advanced" means highly developed. "Reliable" could fit grammatically but "advanced technology" is a stronger collocation in this context.

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SET 2 

Employee mental health has become a ______ priority for many organizations. Studies show that chronic stress can ______ productivity and increase absenteeism. Companies are now implementing wellness programs to ______ a healthier work environment. These initiatives have been shown to ______ employee morale and retention rates.

boost	top	ignore	foster
diminish	bottom	enhance

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 2

1	top	Before "priority," you need an adjective. "Top priority" is a fixed collocation meaning the most important concern. "Bottom" means least important, which contradicts the meaning.
2	diminish	After the modal "can," you need a base verb (V1). "Diminish" means to reduce/decrease. Stress reduces productivity. "Boost" means increase, which is opposite.
3	foster	After "to," you need a base verb (V1). "Foster" means to encourage/promote development. "Ignore" means neglect, which contradicts the positive context.
4	boost	After "to," you need a base verb (V1). "Boost" means to improve/increase. It matches the positive outcome. "Enhance" could also fit, but "boost morale" is a stronger collocation.

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SET 3 

Space exploration continues to ______ the boundaries of human knowledge. Recent missions to Mars have provided ______ data about the planet's geological history. Scientists are now ______ the possibility of establishing a human colony on the red planet. This ______ endeavor requires unprecedented international cooperation. However, the financial ______ of such projects remain a significant hurdle.

push	invaluable	exploring	ambitious
costs	beneficial	investigating	limits
pull	worthless

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 3

1	push	After "to," you need a base verb (V1). "Push the boundaries" is a fixed collocation meaning to extend limits. "Pull" does not collocate with "boundaries."
2	invaluable	Before "data," you need an adjective. "Invaluable" means extremely useful/valuable. "Worthless" means useless, which contradicts the positive context.
3	exploring	The structure "are now ______" requires the Present Continuous (are + Ving). "Exploring" means investigating. "Investigating" could also fit, but "exploring the possibility" is a stronger collocation.
4	ambitious	Before "endeavor," you need an adjective. "Ambitious" means requiring great effort and aspiration. "Beneficial" means helpful, but "ambitious endeavor" is a stronger collocation for space exploration.
5	costs	After "the financial," you need a plural noun. "Costs" means expenses. The verb "remain" is plural, so "costs" matches. "Limits" would change the meaning entirely.

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SET 4 

Digital privacy has become a growing ______ in the modern age. Massive amounts of personal data are ______ collected by corporations and governments. While this data can improve services, it also ______ significant risks to individual autonomy. Many consumers are now demanding greater ______ over how their information is used.

concern	secretly	poses	control
benefit	openly	reduces	authority

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 4

1	concern	After "a growing," you need a noun. "Concern" means worry/issue. "Benefit" means advantage, which contradicts the negative tone of the paragraph.
2	secretly	After the verb "are collected," you need an adverb to modify it. "Secretly" means without public knowledge. "Openly" means publicly, which contradicts the idea of privacy concerns.
3	poses	The subject is "it" (singular), so the verb takes +s. "Poses significant risks" is a fixed collocation. "Reduces" means decreases, which is opposite in meaning.
4	control	After "greater," you need a noun. "Control over" is the correct prepositional collocation. "Authority" could fit, but "control over" is more commonly used with personal data.

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SET 5 

Technology has ______ transformed the way students learn. Interactive platforms and online resources now ______ traditional textbooks in many classrooms. This shift has made education more ______ and personalized. However, the digital divide remains a ______ challenge, as not all students have equal access to these tools. Schools must ______ to ensure that no student is left behind.

fundamentally	supplement	engaging	persistent
slightly	replace	boring	temporary
strive

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 5

1	fundamentally	Before the verb "transformed," you need an adverb. "Fundamentally" means in a basic/essential way. "Slightly" means a little, which would downplay the impact.
2	supplement	The subject is "platforms and resources" (plural), so the verb must be the base form (V1). "Supplement" means to add to/enhance. "Replace" means to take the place of, which is too extreme for the context.
3	engaging	After "more," you need an adjective to describe education. "Engaging" means interesting and interactive. "Boring" contradicts the positive context.
4	persistent	Before "challenge," you need an adjective. "Persistent" means continuing to exist. "Temporary" means short-term, which contradicts the idea that it remains a problem.
5	strive	After "must," you need a base verb (V1). "Strive" means to make great effort. The context requires a positive action verb.

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SET 6

International trade has become the ______ of the global economy. Goods and services now flow across borders with unprecedented ease. However, this interconnectedness also creates ______, as disruptions in one region can affect the entire system. Many economists argue that fair trade practices are ______ for sustainable development. ______ policies often do more harm than good in the long run.

backbone	vulnerabilities	essential	Protective
weakness	optional	Restrictive

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 6

1	backbone	After "the," you need a noun. "Backbone" means the main supporting part. "The backbone of the economy" is a strong collocation.
2	vulnerabilities	After "creates," you need a plural noun. "Vulnerabilities" means weaknesses/susceptibilities. "Weakness" is singular and doesn't match the plural context of "disruptions."
3	essential	After "are," you need an adjective. "Essential" means absolutely necessary. "Optional" means not required, which contradicts the meaning.
4	Protective	Before "policies," you need an adjective. "Protective policies" are designed to protect domestic industries. "Restrictive" could also fit, but "protective" aligns with the context of "do more harm than good" (protectionism).

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SET 7 

Medical research has made ______ strides in the fight against cancer. New immunotherapies have shown ______ results in clinical trials, offering hope to millions of patients. However, the high cost of these treatments remains a significant ______. Researchers are now working to develop more ______ alternatives that can reach a wider population. This is a ______ challenge that requires collaboration between scientists, governments, and pharmaceutical companies.

remarkable	promising	barrier	affordable
mediocre	disappointing	advantage	expensive
complex

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 7

1	remarkable	Before "strides," you need an adjective. "Remarkable strides" means impressive progress. "Mediocre" means average/not impressive, which contradicts the context.
2	promising	Before "results," you need an adjective. "Promising" means showing potential for success. "Disappointing" means unsatisfactory, which contradicts "offering hope."
3	barrier	After "a significant," you need a noun. "Barrier" means obstacle. The high cost is a barrier. "Advantage" means benefit, which contradicts the problem described.
4	affordable	Before "alternatives," you need an adjective. "Affordable" means reasonably priced. "Expensive" contradicts the goal of reaching a wider population.
5	complex	After "a," you need an adjective followed by a noun. "Complex challenge" means difficult/multifaceted. It describes the nature of the problem well.

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SET 8 

Sustainable farming practices are ______ acceptance among agricultural communities. Techniques such as crop rotation and organic farming help to ______ soil health and reduce chemical dependency. These methods not only benefit the environment but also ______ long-term profitability for farmers. Governments are now ______ incentives to encourage the widespread adoption of these practices.

gaining	maintain	enhance	offering
losing	degrade	reduce	withdrawing

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 8

1	gaining	The structure "are ______ acceptance" requires the Present Continuous (are + Ving). "Gaining acceptance" means becoming accepted. "Losing" means the opposite.
2	maintain	After "to," you need a base verb (V1). "Maintain soil health" means to keep it in good condition. "Degrade" means to damage/worsen, which contradicts the purpose.
3	enhance	The subject is "These methods" (plural), so the verb must be the base form (V1). "Enhance" means to improve/increase. "Reduce" means to decrease, which contradicts the idea of profitability.
4	offering	The structure "are now ______" requires the Present Continuous (are + Ving). "Offering incentives" means providing rewards. "Withdrawing" means taking away, which contradicts the context.

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SET 9 

Artificial intelligence is rapidly ______ the healthcare industry. Algorithms can now analyze medical images with ______ accuracy, often surpassing human capabilities. However, the ______ of AI in medicine also raises serious ethical questions. Many experts worry about patient privacy and algorithmic bias. It is ______ that clear regulations are established before AI becomes completely ______ in hospitals.

transforming	remarkable	integration	essential
destroying	poor	separation	optional
autonomous

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 9

1	transforming	The structure "is rapidly ______" requires the Present Continuous (is + Ving). "Transforming" means changing fundamentally. "Destroying" is too negative for the context.
2	remarkable	Before "accuracy," you need an adjective. "Remarkable" means impressive/extraordinary. "Poor" means bad, which contradicts "surpassing human capabilities."
3	integration	After "the" and before "of," you need a noun. "Integration" means the process of combining/incorporating. "Separation" means keeping apart, which contradicts the context.
4	essential	After "It is" and before "that," you need an adjective. "Essential" means absolutely necessary. "Optional" means not required, which contradicts the urgency of establishing regulations.
5	autonomous	After "becomes completely," you need an adjective to describe AI. "Autonomous" means self-governing/independent. It fits the context of AI operating in hospitals.

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SET 10

Workplace diversity has evolved from a moral imperative to a business ______. Companies with diverse workforces are proven to be more innovative and ______ to market changes. However, achieving true diversity requires more than quotas; it demands an inclusive ______ where all employees feel valued. Organizations must actively ______ unconscious bias in their recruitment processes.

necessity	responsive	culture	address
luxury	resistant	environment	ignore

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ANSWER KEY FOR SET 10

1	necessity	After "a business," you need a noun. "Necessity" means something essential. The sentence says it evolved from moral to business, so "necessity" fits. "Luxury" means something optional, which contradicts the context.
2	responsive	After "more innovative and," you need a parallel adjective. "Responsive to" means quick to react positively. "Resistant" means opposed to, which contradicts the idea of being innovative.
3	culture	After "an inclusive," you need a noun. "Inclusive culture" is a strong collocation meaning an environment where everyone is accepted. "Environment" could also fit, but "culture" is more commonly used in diversity contexts.
4	address	After "must," you need a base verb (V1). "Address unconscious bias" means to deal with it. "Ignore" means to neglect, which contradicts the positive action required.

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Answer Summary

Set	Answers in Order
1	gaining, cheap, intermittent, advanced
2	top, diminish, foster, boost
3	push, invaluable, exploring, ambitious, costs
4	concern, secretly, poses, control
5	fundamentally, supplement, engaging, persistent, strive
6	backbone, vulnerabilities, essential, Protective
7	remarkable, promising, barrier, affordable, complex
8	gaining, maintain, enhance, offering
9	transforming, remarkable, integration, essential, autonomous
10	necessity, responsive, culture, address