These 10 original DET Read and Complete exercises give you short passages, numbered missing-letter blanks, and explained answers. Work through one passage at a time, then check both the completed words and the reasons they fit.
These are original PrepEx editorial exercises, separate from the scored practice bank. They are not official test questions and do not predict an exam score.
How to use these exercises
Read and Complete asks you to restore the endings of unfinished words in a short passage. The first and last sentences stay complete, and damaged words alternate through the middle. Each underscore below stands for one missing letter; the small number identifies its answer. For odd-length words, these PrepEx exercises retain the smaller half and remove the larger half.
Read once for the overall situation, then write the missing letters on paper or in a separate document. Check easier grammar words before returning to uncertain vocabulary. Start untimed; on a later attempt, use the official three-minute passage limit. This fixed collection does not reproduce the DET’s adaptive delivery.
- Use the visible letters and the number of spaces together.
- Ask which grammatical form the surrounding sentence needs.
- Read the final sentence for context before deciding.
- Open the key only after completing or marking every blank.
10 original practice exercises
Answers restart at 1 in each exercise. The key shows the complete word and the letters you needed to supply.
- A forgotten umbrella
- A quieter delivery
- Taking notes outdoors
- A new library shelf
- The late train
- A seed exchange
- Testing a reusable cup
- An unexpected photograph
- Making a path accessible
- When a recipe travels
Exercise 1: A forgotten umbrella
11 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
I left my umbrella on the train after a long day at work. The ne__(1) morning, st___(2) checked t__(3) seats a__(4) found i_(5) beneath a window. Th__(6) attached a label wi__(7) the da__(8) before pla____(9) it ins___(10) the off___(11). When I described its broken handle, they knew exactly which umbrella was mine.
Show answers and explanations
- next — add xt. Next places the search on the morning after the loss.
- staff — add aff. Staff are the workers who check the seats.
- the — add he. The specifies the train seats.
- and — add nd. And links checked with found.
- it — add t. It refers to the lost umbrella.
- They — add ey. They refers to the staff and starts the next sentence.
- with — add th. With attaches the date to the label.
- date — add te. The date records when the umbrella was found.
- placing — add cing. Before placing uses the ing form after before.
- inside — add ide. Inside specifies storage within the office.
- office — add ice. Office is the place where the staff kept the umbrella.
Completed passage: I left my umbrella on the train after a long day at work. The next morning, staff checked the seats and found it beneath a window. They attached a label with the date before placing it inside the office. When I described its broken handle, they knew exactly which umbrella was mine.
Exercise 2: A quieter delivery
13 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
The bakery changed its delivery arrangements after neighbors complained about early morning noise. Drivers n__(1) carry t__(2) empty tr___(3) instead o_(4) dragging th__(5) across t__(6) pavement. T__(7) manager al__(8) moved t__(9) loading ar__(10) away fr__(11) the nea____(12) bedroom win____(13). Bread still arrives before opening, but the street is much quieter.
Show answers and explanations
- now — add ow. Now contrasts the new procedure with the old one.
- the — add he. The specifies the empty trays being delivered.
- trays — add ays. Trays are the bakery equipment being moved.
- of — add f. Instead of introduces the action avoided.
- them — add em. Them refers to the trays.
- the — add he. The identifies the pavement across which trays were dragged.
- The — add he. The specifies the bakery manager.
- also — add so. Also adds a second noise reduction measure.
- the — add he. The identifies the loading area.
- area — add ea. Area is the place where deliveries are unloaded.
- from — add om. Away from describes increased separation.
- nearest — add rest. Nearest identifies the bedrooms most exposed to the noise.
- windows — add dows. Windows completes bedroom windows, explaining who heard deliveries.
Completed passage: The bakery changed its delivery arrangements after neighbors complained about early morning noise. Drivers now carry the empty trays instead of dragging them across the pavement. The manager also moved the loading area away from the nearest bedroom windows. Bread still arrives before opening, but the street is much quieter.
Exercise 3: Taking notes outdoors
14 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
Our drawing class met beside the river instead of in the studio. The tea____(1) asked u_(2) to not___(3) how sha____(4) changed a_(5) clouds cro____(6) the s__(7). We ma__(8) several qu___(9) sketches rat___(10) than spen____(11) the wh___(12) lesson o_(13) one pic____(14). Back indoors, we compared the different ways we had recorded the moving light.
Show answers and explanations
- teacher — add cher. Teacher is the person giving the class instructions.
- us — add s. Us refers to the students in our drawing class.
- notice — add ice. To notice requires the base form of the verb.
- shadows — add dows. Shadows are the changing shapes caused by moving light.
- as — add s. As connects the changes with clouds moving.
- crossed — add ssed. Crossed is a past action matching asked and made.
- sky — add ky. Sky is the space through which the clouds passed.
- made — add de. Made agrees with the past narrative and takes sketches.
- quick — add ick. Quick describes sketches produced in a short time.
- rather — add her. Rather than introduces the alternative the class avoided.
- spending — add ding. Spending is parallel to the activity contrasted with making sketches.
- whole — add ole. Whole means the entire lesson.
- on — add n. On connects spending time with one picture.
- picture — add ture. One picture contrasts with several sketches.
Completed passage: Our drawing class met beside the river instead of in the studio. The teacher asked us to notice how shadows changed as clouds crossed the sky. We made several quick sketches rather than spending the whole lesson on one picture. Back indoors, we compared the different ways we had recorded the moving light.
Exercise 4: A new library shelf
12 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
The village library has created a shelf for books recommended by local readers. Each per___(1) writes a short no__(2) explaining w__(3) the bo__(4) deserves ano____(5) reader. Handw______(6) notes rem___(7) inside bo__(8) covers un___(9) another rea___(10) borrows t__(11) recommended ti___(12). The librarian hopes the notes will introduce visitors to titles they might otherwise overlook.
Show answers and explanations
- person — add son. Each person takes singular writes.
- note — add te. A short note explains the recommendation.
- why — add hy. Why introduces the reason for recommending a book.
- book — add ok. Book is the item that deserves another reader.
- another — add ther. Another means an additional reader.
- Handwritten — add ritten. Handwritten describes notes written by individual readers rather than printed recommendations.
- remain — add ain. Plural notes take remain, meaning stay in place.
- book — add ok. Book modifies covers, the parts enclosing the notes.
- until — add til. Until marks the end of the period when notes remain in the book.
- reader — add der. Reader is the person who borrows the title.
- the — add he. The identifies the recommended title on this shelf.
- title — add tle. Title refers to the recommended book.
Completed passage: The village library has created a shelf for books recommended by local readers. Each person writes a short note explaining why the book deserves another reader. Handwritten notes remain inside book covers until another reader borrows the recommended title. The librarian hopes the notes will introduce visitors to titles they might otherwise overlook.
Exercise 5: The late train
13 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
A signal problem delayed our train just outside the city. At fi___(1), passengers repea_____(2) checked wat____(3) because nob___(4) knew h__(5) long rep____(6) would ta__(7). After t__(8) driver expl_____(9) the pro____(10), everyone expe____(11) another upd___(12) within fi__(13) minutes. Although we were still late, knowing what was happening made the wait easier.
Show answers and explanations
- first — add rst. At first introduces the initial reaction.
- repeatedly — add tedly. Repeatedly describes checking watches again and again during uncertainty.
- watches — add ches. Watches show the time that concerned passengers keep checking.
- nobody — add ody. Nobody means no passenger knew the likely repair time.
- how — add ow. How long introduces the unknown duration.
- repairs — add airs. Repairs are the work needed to solve the signal problem.
- take — add ke. Would take requires the base form take to describe duration.
- the — add he. The identifies the train driver.
- explained — add ained. Explained is the past action that gave passengers information.
- problem — add blem. Problem refers back to the signal fault.
- expected — add cted. Expected describes anticipating the promised later report.
- update — add ate. Update is new information about the delay.
- five — add ve. Five modifies minutes to give the interval before the next update.
Completed passage: A signal problem delayed our train just outside the city. At first, passengers repeatedly checked watches because nobody knew how long repairs would take. After the driver explained the problem, everyone expected another update within five minutes. Although we were still late, knowing what was happening made the wait easier.
Exercise 6: A seed exchange
14 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
The community garden held its first seed exchange on Saturday. Visitors bro____(1) small pac____(2) and wr___(3) clear lab___(4) identifying ea__(5) plant o_(6) the pa___(7) envelopes. So__(8) shared adv___(9) about gro____(10) vegetables wh___(11) others swa____(12) stories ab___(13) unsuccessful cr___(14). By lunchtime, most packets had new owners and several neighbors had arranged to garden together.
Show answers and explanations
- brought — add ught. Brought is the past action of carrying packets to the exchange.
- packets — add kets. Packets hold the seeds being exchanged.
- wrote — add ote. Wrote is the past action of putting words on labels.
- labels — add els. Labels identify what each seed packet contains.
- each — add ch. Each identifies plants individually on their labels.
- on — add n. On specifies the surface bearing the labels.
- paper — add per. Paper modifies envelopes, the containers holding the seeds.
- Some — add me. Some supplies a subject for shared and contrasts with others.
- advice — add ice. Shared advice means offered practical guidance.
- growing — add wing. Growing vegetables is the activity discussed in the advice.
- while — add ile. While contrasts advice sharing with exchanging stories.
- swapped — add pped. Swapped stories means exchanged accounts of experiences.
- about — add out. About introduces the subject of the stories.
- crops — add ops. Crops are the garden plants whose growth was unsuccessful.
Completed passage: The community garden held its first seed exchange on Saturday. Visitors brought small packets and wrote clear labels identifying each plant on the paper envelopes. Some shared advice about growing vegetables while others swapped stories about unsuccessful crops. By lunchtime, most packets had new owners and several neighbors had arranged to garden together.
Exercise 7: Testing a reusable cup
13 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
A cafe invited customers to try a new reusable cup before ordering a larger supply. Several cust_____(1) liked t__(2) shape b__(3) found t__(4) lid diff_____(5) to rem___(6) after was____(7). The ow___(8) sent deta____(9) comments t_(10) the supp____(11) and requ_____(12) a diff_____(13) design. The trial prevented a large order of cups that would have frustrated regular customers.
Show answers and explanations
- customers — add omers. Customers are the cafe visitors trying the cups.
- the — add he. The specifies the shape of the trial cup.
- but — add ut. But contrasts liking the shape with struggling with the lid.
- the — add he. The specifies the lid belonging to that cup.
- difficult — add icult. Difficult contrasts with a cup that is easy to use.
- remove — add ove. To remove requires the base form remove.
- washing — add hing. After washing identifies when the lid became hard to remove.
- owner — add ner. Owner is the person deciding whether to buy more cups.
- detailed — add iled. Detailed describes comments that explain the specific lid problem, which the supplier needs to address.
- to — add o. To introduces the recipient of the comments.
- supplier — add lier. Supplier is the company providing the cups.
- requested — add ested. Requested is past tense, coordinated with sent.
- different — add erent. Different describes a changed design that addresses the problem.
Completed passage: A cafe invited customers to try a new reusable cup before ordering a larger supply. Several customers liked the shape but found the lid difficult to remove after washing. The owner sent detailed comments to the supplier and requested a different design. The trial prevented a large order of cups that would have frustrated regular customers.
Exercise 8: An unexpected photograph
14 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
While sorting family photographs, I found a picture of my grandfather beside a bicycle. He usu____(1) avoided cam____(2), so t__(3) relaxed expre_____(4) on h__(5) face surp_____(6) me. M_(7) aunt expl_____(8) that h_(9) had ju__(10) finished repa_____(11) the bic____(12) for h__(13) younger bro____(14). With that small detail, an ordinary photograph became a record of something he loved doing.
Show answers and explanations
- usually — add ally. Usually describes the grandfather's normal behavior.
- cameras — add eras. Cameras are what a person avoids to escape being photographed.
- the — add he. The specifies the expression visible in this picture.
- expression — add ssion. Expression describes the look on his face.
- his — add is. His links the face with the grandfather.
- surprised — add rised. Surprised states the narrator's reaction to his unusual ease.
- My — add y. My links the aunt with the narrator.
- explained — add ained. Explained introduces the aunt's account of the event.
- he — add e. He refers back to the grandfather.
- just — add st. Had just finished puts the repair immediately before the photograph.
- repairing — add iring. Finished repairing uses an ing form after finished.
- bicycle — add ycle. Bicycle is the repaired object shown in the photograph.
- his — add is. His links the younger brother to the grandfather.
- brother — add ther. Brother completes the family relationship.
Completed passage: While sorting family photographs, I found a picture of my grandfather beside a bicycle. He usually avoided cameras, so the relaxed expression on his face surprised me. My aunt explained that he had just finished repairing the bicycle for his younger brother. With that small detail, an ordinary photograph became a record of something he loved doing.
Exercise 9: Making a path accessible
13 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
A park has replaced the steep steps near its entrance with a longer, gently sloping path. The n__(1) slope gi___(2) wheelchair us___(3) direct acc___(4) to t__(5) lake fr__(6) the entr____(7). Workers al__(8) installed ben____(9) so peo___(10) can re__(11) before conti_____(12) toward t__(13) water. The improvements help many visitors, including parents pushing strollers and people recovering from injuries.
Show answers and explanations
- new — add ew. New contrasts the replacement slope with the former steps.
- gives — add ves. Gives agrees with singular slope.
- users — add ers. Wheelchair users identifies people who benefit from the slope.
- access — add ess. Direct access means a way to reach the lake without taking a different route.
- the — add he. The identifies the park lake.
- from — add om. From specifies the starting point of the route.
- entrance — add ance. Entrance is where the slope replaced the steps.
- also — add so. Also adds benches as a second improvement.
- benches — add ches. Benches provide seats for resting.
- people — add ple. People supplies the plural subject of can rest.
- rest — add st. Rest contrasts with continuing along the path.
- continuing — add nuing. Before continuing uses an ing form after before.
- the — add he. The identifies the water of the lake.
Completed passage: A park has replaced the steep steps near its entrance with a longer, gently sloping path. The new slope gives wheelchair users direct access to the lake from the entrance. Workers also installed benches so people can rest before continuing toward the water. The improvements help many visitors, including parents pushing strollers and people recovering from injuries.
Exercise 10: When a recipe travels
13 blanks. Complete each unfinished word.
Recipes often change when families move to places where familiar ingredients are difficult to find. A co__(1) may rep____(2) one vege_____(3) with ano____(4) while kee____(5) the met___(6) largely unch_____(7). Over ti__(8), the alt____(9) dish c__(10) become a family trad_____(11) with i__(12) own associ______(13). Such changes show how food can preserve connections to the past while reflecting a new home.
Show answers and explanations
- cook — add ok. Cook is a person who prepares the recipe.
- replace — add lace. May replace uses the base verb after may.
- vegetable — add table. Vegetable is the ingredient substituted.
- another — add ther. Another stands for a different vegetable.
- keeping — add ping. While keeping describes what remains the same during substitution.
- method — add hod. Method means the preparation procedure.
- unchanged — add anged. Largely unchanged contrasts the method with altered ingredients.
- time — add me. Over time means as years or generations pass.
- altered — add ered. Altered describes the dish after substitution.
- can — add an. Can become expresses a possible development.
- tradition — add ition. Family tradition means a practice passed on within a family.
- its — add ts. Its links associations to the altered dish.
- associations — add ations. Associations are the memories and connections that develop around it.
Completed passage: Recipes often change when families move to places where familiar ingredients are difficult to find. A cook may replace one vegetable with another while keeping the method largely unchanged. Over time, the altered dish can become a family tradition with its own associations. Such changes show how food can preserve connections to the past while reflecting a new home.
Turn mistakes into useful practice
For each missed word, write down why you missed it: meaning, grammar, or spelling. Copy the short phrase around it, rather than learning an isolated ending. If the key makes sense but you could not explain it beforehand, reread the paragraph and identify the clue you overlooked. Reattempt the passage later without looking at your notes.
Try interactive DET Read and Complete practice when you are ready to type missing letters directly into a passage.
Frequently asked questions
How long is DET Read and Complete?
The current official Help Center gives three minutes per passage. Use that limit only after practicing the method untimed.
Does every passage have the same number of blanks?
No fixed operational blank count is stated in the official sources linked below. These original exercises have different counts because deletion follows the intervening text, rather than a handpicked list of vocabulary words.
Do spelling and grammar both matter?
Yes. A word must fit the meaning and grammar, and its missing letters must be spelled correctly. A familiar word with the wrong tense or number is not a successful reconstruction.
Can these answers tell me my DET score?
No. This is a fixed editorial collection with answer explanations. It does not reproduce Duolingo’s scoring or adaptive system and cannot be converted into an official DET score.
Official sources and more practice
Format and timing checked November 14, 2026 against the official Read and Complete Help Center page, the DET Question Guide 2026, page 3, and the DET Technical Manual, section 3.3 and Figure 14. Continue with our interactive Read and Complete practice and task guide.