PTE Listening: Fill in the Blanks
Task Introduction
In this task, you listen to a short academic
recording while reading its transcript on screen. Several words in the
transcript are replaced by blanks, and you must type the missing words exactly
as you hear them. It tests both listening accuracy and spelling.
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Number of Questions |
2–3 per exam |
|
Recording Length |
Approximately 30–60
seconds |
|
Blanks per Question |
Typically 4–6 blanks |
|
Time to Answer |
No separate timer;
within the overall Listening section (31–39 minutes) . You type while the
audio plays |
|
Scoring |
Partial credit: 1 point
per correct blank . Spelling must be exact |
|
Score Contribution |
Approximately 8% of
Listening score |
|
Skills Assessed |
Listening and Writing |
Key Strategy: Follow the transcript with your eyes as you
listen. The word is spoken only once, so focus on the exact sounds and
spelling. If you miss a word, move on immediately—do not let one blank cause
you to miss the next. Check spelling carefully after the audio ends if time
permits.
Sample Set 1: Urban Green Spaces
Audio Script (Approx. 50 words):
"Urban parks provide significant
environmental benefits, from reducing city temperatures to filtering air
pollutants. But their advantages extend beyond the environment. Research
consistently shows that access to green spaces improves mental health, reduces
stress, and creates opportunities for social interaction. For city planners,
investing in well-designed parks is therefore not just an aesthetic choice but
a public health priority."
Transcript with Blanks:
"Urban parks provide significant
environmental benefits, from reducing city temperatures to filtering air (1)
______. But their advantages extend beyond the environment. Research
consistently shows that access to green spaces improves mental (2) ______,
reduces stress, and creates opportunities for social interaction. For city
planners, investing in well-designed parks is therefore not just an aesthetic
(3) ______ but a public health priority."
Answers:
1.
pollutants
2.
health
3.
choice
Sample Set 2: The Science of Memory
Audio Script (Approx. 55 words):
"Sleep is not a passive state. During
deep sleep, the brain replays events from the day and transfers information
from short-term to long-term memory. This process is essential for learning new
skills and retaining information. People who consistently sacrifice sleep for
work or entertainment may find that their ability to learn and remember is
significantly impaired."
Transcript with Blanks:
"Sleep is not a (1) ______ state. During
deep sleep, the brain replays events from the day and transfers information
from short-term to long-term (2) ______. This process is essential for learning
new skills and retaining information. People who consistently sacrifice sleep
for work or entertainment may find that their ability to learn and remember is
significantly (3) ______."
Answers:
1.
passive
2.
memory
3.
impaired
Sample Set 3: Plastic Pollution
Audio Script (Approx. 52 words):
"Plastic does not biodegrade. Instead, it
breaks down into tiny particles called microplastics, which are now found
everywhere from ocean trenches to Arctic ice. Fish mistake these particles for
food, and the toxins absorbed by the plastic accumulate in their bodies. This
means plastic pollution is not just an environmental problem but also a
potential threat to human food safety."
Transcript with Blanks:
"Plastic does not (1) ______. Instead, it
breaks down into tiny particles called microplastics, which are now found
everywhere from ocean trenches to Arctic ice. Fish mistake these particles for
food, and the (2) ______ absorbed by the plastic accumulate in their bodies.
This means plastic pollution is not just an environmental problem but also a
potential (3) ______ to human food safety."
Answers:
1.
biodegrade
2.
toxins
3.
threat
Sample Set 4: Habit Formation
Audio Script (Approx. 50 words):
"Habits follow a predictable loop: cue,
routine, and reward. Once a habit is formed, the brain requires less energy to
perform the behavior, which is why habits are so powerful but also difficult to
break. To change a habit, experts recommend identifying the cue and reward,
then substituting a new routine. Consistency, rather than intensity, is the key
to permanent change."
Transcript with Blanks:
"Habits follow a (1) ______ loop: cue,
routine, and reward. Once a habit is formed, the brain requires less (2) ______
to perform the behavior, which is why habits are so powerful but also difficult
to break. To change a habit, experts recommend identifying the cue and reward,
then substituting a new routine. (3) ______, rather than intensity, is the key
to permanent change."
Answers:
1.
predictable
2.
energy
3.
Consistency
Sample Set 5: The Digital Divide
Audio Script (Approx. 54 words):
"The internet has transformed nearly
every aspect of modern life, from education to commerce. However, access
remains unequal. Rural and low-income communities often lack reliable
connectivity, which limits their opportunities for learning and employment. Addressing
this digital divide requires investment in infrastructure and digital literacy
programs. Without such efforts, existing inequalities will only widen."
Transcript with Blanks:
"The internet has transformed nearly
every (1) ______ of modern life, from education to commerce. However, access
remains unequal. Rural and low-income communities often lack reliable (2)
______, which limits their opportunities for learning and employment.
Addressing this digital divide requires investment in infrastructure and
digital literacy programs. Without such efforts, existing inequalities will
only (3) ______."
Answers:
1.
aspect
2.
connectivity
3.
widen
Answer Key Summary
|
Set |
Topic |
Answers |
|
1 |
Urban
Green Spaces |
1.
pollutants; 2. health; 3. choice |
|
2 |
Science
of Memory |
1.
passive; 2. memory; 3. impaired |
|
3 |
Plastic
Pollution |
1.
biodegrade; 2. toxins; 3. threat |
|
4 |
Habit
Formation |
1.
predictable; 2. energy; 3. Consistency |
|
5 |
Digital
Divide |
1.
aspect; 2. connectivity; 3. widen |
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