What do you need to do?
- A passage of up to 80 words appears with several gaps.
- You drag words from a bank into the gaps; there are more words than you need.
- There is no separate item timer, so the task uses the Reading section time.
Keep in mindPreparation: Section-timed. Response: No separate item timer. Scored skills: Reading.
What should your answer do?
Complete every gap using grammar, collocation and meaning.
How to answer
- Read the passage first
Establish the topic and direction of the text before moving words from the bank.
- Diagnose each gap
Look on both sides for the required part of speech, agreement, preposition or common word partnership.
- Place well-supported words
Start with gaps where grammar and meaning agree. Leave unused distractors in the bank and reconsider a choice if another gap needs it.
- Read the completed passage
Check every sentence and the whole paragraph for meaning. Move on at your planned section pace.
Practise each part of Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop)
Use these focused exercises to work on one part at a time, then bring them together in a complete attempt.
Word-bank choices
Compare competing words across gaps; the extra words are not all intended to be used.
Grammar and collocation
Study complete phrases, including their prepositions and word forms, rather than isolated definitions.
Sample-style fill-in-the-blanks task
Public libraries continue to Drop word here their services as community needs change. Many now provide digital resources, study spaces and workshops that Drop word here access to practical skills.
This is an original PrepEx example designed to demonstrate the response format. It is not an official Pearson test item.
Common mistakes to watch for
- Choosing a word because it matches the topic but not the grammar
- Ignoring common collocations around the gap
- Using every word even though the bank contains distractors
- Solving gaps independently without rereading the passage
How to improve your next answer
For a short passage, write why each chosen word fits before checking answers. Label misses as vocabulary, grammar, collocation or context. Collect the full phrase for later review, then use a new passage.
- Check each gap independently so one correct choice does not hide a second mistake.
- Read the correct phrase aloud and explain why the tempting alternative fails.
Change one thing, then try a new question. A better repeat on a familiar prompt is useful rehearsal; a fresh prompt shows whether you can apply the skill.
Try Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop)
Review previous attempts to see whether the same issue keeps returning.
What your response is scored on
Per blank
Each correctly completed gap contributes credit toward the item score.
Partial credit
Incorrect gaps do not erase credit earned on other correctly completed gaps.
Reading only
This drag-and-drop task contributes to Reading, not Writing.
Read the feedback alongside the number and use it to choose your next exercise. A PrepEx score is a practice estimate, not an official PTE score. Only Pearson can issue an official result.
Check the rules before test day
Read the official Pearson task instructions before your test. Follow Pearson's current instructions if the format changes.
Task instructions and timing checked October 15, 2026. The exercises and study suggestions on this page are independent preparation guidance.