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About Us Fill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop): PTE Reading Practice Questions with Sample Answers (2026)
Reading Fill in the Blanks gives a passage with blanks and a word bank below, with more words than blanks. You drag the right word into each gap. Practice with 15 real passages below, answers and explanations included.
Practice questions
Attempt each one, then open the sample answer to compare.
Question 1
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Architects have always had to address the conflict between form and function. After all, not every client is willing to sacrificefeatures for the sake of making a building more user-friendly. Nowadays, eco-friendly building design has furthermatters. Architects are often obliged or at least expected toelements which will boost the ecologicalof a building, either by improving energy efficiency, or by utilising sustainable materials. Architects thatat such requirements will ultimately fail.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] aesthetic [2] complicated [3] incorporate [4] credentials [5] baulk
Question 2
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
In his key work, first published in 1628, William Harvey put forward thethat blood circulated around the body. This hypothesis wasup by a number of experiments but depended onrather than observation. A radical idea of this typea certain amount of ridicule among conservative physicians but by the time of Harvey’s death, it had gained generalmedical circles.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] theory [2] supported [3] inference [4] provoked [5] acceptance
Question 3
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
As water scarcity becomes a global issue, cities are adopting measures towater usage. These include installing low-flow fixtures,leaks, and promoting awareness aboutwater practices. Individuals can contribute by changing daily habits likethe tap while brushing or shaving.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] conserve [2] fixing [3] sustainable [4] monitoring
Question 4
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Of course there were many different enlightenments, and scholars still argue about which was the real torchbearer... However, despite their quarrelsome diversity, most enlightenment thinkers shared certain intellectual traits—on intellectual autonomy, aof tradition and authority as the infallible sources of truth, aof bigotry and persecution, ato free inquiry, athat (in Francis Bacon's words) knowledge is power.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] insistence [2] rejection [3] dislike [4] commitment [5] belief
Question 5
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Artists use color not only forappeal but also to evoke emotions. Warm colors like red and orange can generate, while cooler tones like blue often suggest. Theof color combinations requires an understanding of both theory and cultural interpretations.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] visual [2] excitement [3] tranquillity [4] analysis
Question 6
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Customer feedback plays a vital role in productand overall service quality. Companies that activelyfeedback can better understand user needs andmarket trends. Ignoring complaints may lead to customerand damage to the brand’s reputation.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] development [2] analyze [3] anticipate [4] loss
Question 7
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Crop rotation is a traditional farming technique used to maintainsoil. By changing the type of crop grown in a field each season, farmers can prevent theof specific nutrients. It also helps inthe spread of pests and diseases that oftenin monoculture practices.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] fertile [2] depletion [3] controlling [4] accumulate
Question 8
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Photosynthesis is the process used by plants to convertenergy into chemical energy. It occurs mainly in theof plant cells. The process requires, carbon dioxide, and sunlight, and it results in the production ofand oxygen.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] sun [2] chloroplasts [3] water [4] glucose
Question 9
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Modern skyscrapers are engineered toboth aesthetic and structural demands. Architects must consider weight distribution, wind, and energy efficiency. Materials like reinforced concrete and steel offer the necessary, while glass facades are favored for their sleek.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] balance [2] resistance [3] resilience [4] appearance
Question 10
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
The Industrial Revolution marked a significantin manufacturing processes. It shifted production from manual labor to machine-based systems, leading to theof factories. This change caused rapid urbanization, altered labor, and brought about both economic growth and social.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] transformation [2] emergence [3] practices [4] stability
Question 11
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Geert Hofstede was a researcher who compared andthe business cultures of various countries. He identified similarities and differences between nations concerning various work issues. For instance, he categorised countries according to whether theycollective or individual performance. This research hasfor companies, such as deciding how to organise teams. Hofstede’s original research was limited to the computer industry but since then, it has been usedin many other sectors.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] analysed [2] valued [3] implications [4] extensively
Question 12
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Considering their lingering reputation as man-killers, it's hardly surprising that hackles are raised any time someone brings up the idea ofwolves to the Scottish Highlands. Debate on the topic has been raging for years;would like to see that Highland environment returned to its natural state. Opponentsthe animals'for killing livestock.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] reintroducing [2] proponents [3] cite [4] propensity
Question 13
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Regular exercise is beneficial for those areas of the brain which arein memory and learning. Exercise appears to trigger theof certain chemicals which have a directon the health of brain cells. It also helps the brain to function bystress and anxiety.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] involved [2] release [3] impact [4] reducing
Question 14
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
The invention of the printing press in the 15th century led to aincrease in the availability of books. This technological breakthrough helped in theof literacy and allowed ideas toquickly across Europe. It is considered aevent in world history.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] rapid [2] spread [3] distribute [4] pivotal
Question 15
Drag the correct word from the box below into each blank.
Online learning platforms offer flexibility and access to a wideof courses. Students can study at their own, often with instructors from around the world. However, it requires strongand good time management skills to remain.
Select Words by dragging from here and dropping at respective blanks:
[1] variety [2] pace [3] discipline [4] consistent
How to approach it
- Skim first. Get the overall meaning before filling blanks.
- Match collocations. Look for words that naturally pair with their neighbours.
- Use grammar clues. Articles and prepositions hint at the word class needed.
- Eliminate distractors. Extra words are there to mislead. Ignore the leftovers.
FAQs
How is this scored?
One mark per correctly filled blank, no negative marking. It counts toward Reading only.
Why are there extra words in the bank?
They are distractors, words that look plausible but fail on grammar or collocation. Expect two or three leftovers.
What is the fastest solving order?
Fill the blanks you are sure of first. Every placed word shrinks the bank and makes the harder blanks easier.
What clues should I use?
Grammar first (noun, verb, adjective needed), then collocation, then overall meaning of the sentence.
Can I change an answer after placing it?
Yes, in the exam you can drag words back out and swap them any time before moving on.