Task Overview
In this task, you are given a passage with several missing words or blanks. You have to choose the correct word from a drop-down list to complete each blank. The passage will typically have context clues to help you figure out the right word for each gap. The entire reading section is of 29-30 minutes.
| Prompt Length | Skill Assessed | Time to Answer |
| Text up to 300 words | Reading and Writing | Not Applicable |
Scoring Criteria Reading and Writing:
- 1 Point: For each time you select the correct word to fill a gap, you earn 1 point.
- 0 Point: If the word you choose doesn’t fit the blank correctly in terms of meaning or grammar, you will receive 0 points for that blank.
The goal is to demonstrate that you understand the text and can correctly identify the appropriate word based on both meaning and grammar.
How to Approach the Task (Step-by-Step)
- Skim the Text for Overall Meaning: Start by reading the entire passage quickly. This helps you get an idea of the topic or main idea of the text. By understanding the general subject, you will be able to choose words that fit the context.
Example: If the passage is about the health benefits of exercise, you can anticipate that words related to improvement, energy, or health will likely fill the blanks.
- Look for Context Clues Before and After the Blank: To find the correct word, read the sentence before and after each blank. This will give you more information about what type of word fits. For example, is it a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb?
Example: She is looking forward to _______ on the beach this summer.
The words “looking forward to” suggest that the correct word should be a verb in the -ing form (gerund).
The options could be: relax, relaxing, relaxation.
The correct choice is “relaxing.”
- Consider Word Forms (Grammar): Ensure that the word you select fits the grammar of the sentence. Sometimes, words might look similar but serve different grammatical roles. For instance, “effect” is a noun, while “affect” is a verb.
Example: The new law will _______ the way businesses operate.”
The options: effect, affect, effecting
The correct word is “affect” because it is the verb that fits with “will” (future tense).
- Narrow Down Choices Using Meaning: In many cases, the drop-down options will include words that are related but differ slightly in meaning. Understanding the overall meaning of the passage and the surrounding context will help you pick the word that makes sense.
Example: She couldn’t ______ the disappointment of failing the exam.
The options: feel, accept, face
“Face” makes the most sense because the phrase “face the disappointment” is a common expression.
- Scan for Repeated Words or Ideas: If certain words or ideas are repeated throughout the passage, they can help guide your choices for the blanks. These repetitions can point to key themes or concepts that are crucial for understanding the text.
Example: If the text frequently mentions “change,” any blank related to the theme should likely use words like “adapt,” “evolve,” or “transformation.”
Practice Question:
In today’s fast-paced world, the ability to adapt to change has become more important than
ever. However, the concept of adaptability often ____misunderstandings, especially in professional settings. Many people assume that change is always associated with ____ outcomes, but this is not necessarily the case. In reality, while some changes can bring about ________ growth, others may lead to a period of uncertainty. Therefore, it is essential to be _______ when navigating change, understanding that not all changes are inherently positive.
Options:
- avoids, provokes, limits, eliminates
- negative, progressive, beneficial, positive
- substantial, negligible, insignificant, volatile
- anxious, cautious, relaxed, indifferent
Explanation of Correct Answer:
- The sentence talks about adaptability causing misunderstandings, and “provokes” fits best in this context. “Avoids” or “eliminates” would contradict the idea of misunderstanding.
- In the context of the passage, people often assume change leads to positive outcomes, so “positive” fits best. “Beneficial” would also work, but “positive” is a more common term in this context.
- In the context of the passage, people often assume change leads to positive outcomes, so “positive” fits best. “Beneficial” would also work, but “positive” is a more common term in this context.
- The passage talks about growth, and “substantial” fits best to describe a significant change. “Negligible” or “insignificant” would be inappropriate because they suggest very little change, which contradicts the context of growth.
Students can score high marks in this questions by following right strategies. They can take practice test on Sumlingo PTE practice software to boos their score.
