PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop): Tips & Scoring
Reading: Fill in the Blanks gives you a passage with gaps and a bank of words below it; you drag each word into the correct gap. There are usually more words than gaps, so some are distractors. Unlike the dropdown version, this task scores Reading only — but the strategy of using grammar and meaning is the same.
How the task works
A passage has several blanks and a bank of word options beneath it. You drag words into the gaps; the extra words are deliberate distractors. You typically face four to five of these.
Step-by-step strategy
- 1Read the whole passage first to understand the overall meaning.
- 2Place your most confident answers first to shrink the remaining options.
- 3Use grammar clues — articles, prepositions, and verb forms reveal which word fits.
- 4Test each remaining word in the gap to check both sense and grammar.
- 5Re-read the completed passage to confirm it flows correctly.
Eliminate with grammar
When meaning alone does not decide a gap, grammar usually does. The word after 'a' must be a singular noun; the word after a preposition is rarely a verb. Use these rules to rule out distractors fast.
How it is scored
- Each correctly filled blank earns one mark.
- There is no negative marking, so fill every gap even if you are unsure.
- Partial credit applies — getting three of four blanks right still earns three marks.
- This task contributes to your Reading score only.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Filling gaps in order instead of starting with the ones you are sure of.
- Being distracted by the extra 'trap' words in the bank.
- Choosing a word that fits meaning but breaks the grammar of the sentence.
- Leaving a gap empty when guessing carries no penalty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between the two Reading Fill in the Blanks tasks?
The Reading & Writing version uses dropdown menus and scores both Reading and Writing. The drag-and-drop version gives a word bank with extra distractors and scores Reading only. Both reward using grammar and meaning together.
Should I fill every blank?
Yes. There is no negative marking and each correct blank earns a mark, so always place a word in every gap — even your best guess can score.
Continue Reading
PTE Academic Reading: Strategies for Every Task Type
PTE Academic Reading explained: Fill in the Blanks, Re-order Paragraphs, and multiple choice — with timing strategies, negative-marking rules, and practice tips.
ReadingPTE Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks: Tips & Scoring
PTE Reading & Writing Fill in the Blanks guide: how to use context and collocations to pick the right dropdown word, plus how this dual-scored task is marked.
ReadingPTE Re-order Paragraphs: Strategy & Scoring
PTE Re-order Paragraphs guide: how to find the topic sentence, follow linking words, and sequence text boxes — plus how partial-credit scoring works.