PTE Listening - Fill In The Blank

Question type #15 PTE Listening: Fill in the blanks

Familiarise with how the question is formed

–       There are 2-3 paragraphs, each of which refers to a brief lecture of 60 seconds.

–       The paragraph will be on the screen for you to view, and there are up to 7 gaps / blanks for you to type in ONE word.

–       You have 10 seconds to preview the text before the lecture starts.

–       You need to put your mouse pointer in the gap, follow the text as it is read to you, and type in the missing word in the gap exactly as you hear it.

Understand how this question is scored

–       Each correct word (for each blank), spelled correctly will earn 1 small mark

–       No extra penalty for wrong answer.

–       Maximum mark: 1; minimum mark: 0

Avoid these common mistakes

1. Miss hearing the word. This can happen if you type in the word instead of write down first. Always write down first if you’re not a fast typist!
2. Type all in capital letters or the first letter in the capital. Only do this for the first letter if it is a proper name or the gap is the first word in a new sentence.
3. Miss the plural form of a noun when it is a count noun.
4. Miss the –s/es for a verb when you have a singular subject.
5. Use the wrong word form. (e.g., a noun when you need an adjective, a verb or an adverb).

Practise the best way to do it

1. Preview the text before the lecture starts. Take mental note of the story, S-V agreement, word form required, and singular/plural form required.
2. Write down the word in order as you hear each of them.
3. After the lecture, transfer your word in its respective gap on the screen.
4. Proofread quickly to make sure the spelling and the grammar is correct.