PTE Listening: Select Missing Word

PTE Listening: Select Missing Word

Task Introduction

In this task, you listen to a short academic recording that ends with a beep sound, which replaces the final word or phrase. You must then select the option that correctly completes the recording based on context and prediction. It tests your ability to follow an argument closely and anticipate how a speaker will conclude.

Feature	Details
Number of Questions	1–2 per exam
Recording Length	Approximately 20–70 seconds
Time to Answer	No separate timer; within the overall Listening section. Aim to choose within 20–30 seconds after audio ends
Options	Typically 3–5 choices; only one correct
Scoring	1 point for correct, 0 for incorrect; no negative marking
Skills Assessed	Listening only (minor cross-contribution to Reading)

Key Strategy: Listen to the entire recording carefully, but pay special attention to the final sentence before the beep. The missing word or phrase usually completes the speaker's main point or conclusion. Since there is no negative marking, always select an answer—never leave it blank .

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Sample Set 1: Urban Green Spaces

Audio Script (Approx. 55 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 ___ [beep]."

Question: Select the word or phrase that best completes the recording.

A) minor consideration
B) costly obligation
C) public health priority
D) temporary trend

Answer: C

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Sample Set 2: The Science of Memory

Audio Script (Approx. 60 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 ___ [beep]."

Question: Select the word or phrase that best completes the recording.

A) enhanced
B) impaired
C) irrelevant
D) unpredictable

Answer: B

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Sample Set 3: Plastic Pollution

Audio Script (Approx. 58 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 ___ [beep]."

Question: Select the word or phrase that best completes the recording.

A) human food safety
B) industrial production
C) recycling technology
D) coastal tourism

Answer: A

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Sample Set 4: Habit Formation

Audio Script (Approx. 52 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 ___ [beep]."

Question: Select the word or phrase that best completes the recording.

A) immediate results
B) permanent change
C) avoiding all effort
D) breaking the loop

Answer: B

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Sample Set 5: The Digital Divide

Audio Script (Approx. 56 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 ___ [beep]."

Question: Select the word or phrase that best completes the recording.

A) disappear
B) remain stable
C) widen
D) become irrelevant

Answer: C

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Answer Key Summary

Set	Topic	Correct Answer
1	Urban Green Spaces	C
2	Science of Memory	B
3	Plastic Pollution	A
4	Habit Formation	B
5	Digital Divide	C