DET
Duolingo English Test · Reading

Fill in the Blanks

Learn how to use the sentence around a word to work out its missing letters, even when you are unsure at first.

Learn step by step Start free practice

Understand the task. See an example. Try it yourself.

Understand the task

What do you need to do?

You see one sentence with an unfinished word. Read the sentence and type the missing letters to finish that word.

Keep in mindRead first, fill the spaces, then check the finished word.

What should your answer do?

Your word needs to match the letters already shown, the number of spaces, and the meaning of the sentence. Check its ending too: a sentence about yesterday may need a word ending in -ed.

Step by step

How to answer

  1. Read to the end of the sentence.

    The clue may come after the unfinished word.

  2. Ask what the sentence means.

    Is the missing word an action, a thing, or a description?

  3. Check the letters you can see and count the missing letters.

    Use both to check your idea.

  4. Type only the missing letters.

    Read the completed sentence once before moving on.

See how it works

Try one sentence

An original PrepEx teaching example.

Try this example

Please close the win___ because the room is getting cold.

Show answer and explanation

Example answer

Type dow to make window.

Why this works

The cold room helps you choose what needs closing. Window begins with win and needs three more letters. Door fits the situation, but it does not fit the letters shown.

Common mistakes

Common mistakes and how to fix them

  • Typing the whole word. Leave the visible letters in place and add only what is missing.
  • Choosing from the first few words alone. Read the rest of the sentence for another clue.
  • Forgetting the ending. Check whether the sentence needs one thing or several, or an action in the past.
After practice

How to improve your next answer

  1. After practice, find the word or phrase that helped you choose each answer.
  2. Write a new sentence with one word you missed. Then try a new question and look for the same kind of clue.

Try Fill in the Blanks

Your practice result

Use your result to choose what to practise next

Look at the answers and feedback as well as the number. Choose one thing to work on, then try a new question.

A PrepEx score is a practice estimate, not an official DET score. Only Duolingo can give you an official test result.

Official source

Check the rules before test day

Read the official Fill in the Blanks guide and the current DET Test Structure. If the test changes, follow Duolingo's latest instructions.

Task instructions and timing checked September 21, 2026. The examples and study tips on this page were written by PrepEx.

DET Reading practiceExplore the other reading tasks. All DET task typesSee what you do in each of the 13 task types. DET formatLearn what happens from the start to the end of the test. DET scoringUnderstand your scores and what they mean.
PrepEx provides independent DET preparation. PrepEx practice estimates are not official Duolingo English Test scores or results.