Lesson 5 of 135 min read
Dropdown Fill in the Blanks: PTE Academic and Core
Choose one word from each dropdown to complete a passage. Learn a repeatable method and the Academic/Core scoring difference.
What does dropdown fill in the blanks look like?
A passage appears with several words removed. Each gap has its own dropdown menu. Open a menu, choose the word that fits, then continue. Options are not shared: choosing a word in one menu does not remove it from another menu.
PTE Academic
In PTE Academic, the task is called Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown). Expect 5–6 items per test. Passages can be up to 300 words.
PTE Core
In PTE Core, the task is called Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks. Expect 5–6 items per test. Passages can be up to 200 words.
- One gap, one decision: Work out each menu separately; there is no shared word bank.
- Read the whole passage: The topic and writer's point help you solve later gaps.
- Know the format: This differs from Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop), where you see a word bank.
A simple strategy for every gap
- 1. Read first: Skim the whole passage. Note its topic, direction, and key contrast before opening menus.
- 2. Predict the grammar: Ask whether the gap needs a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, or linking word. This part of speech check removes weak options quickly.
- 3. Check the neighbours: Read the words immediately before and after the gap. Natural word pairings such as responsible for can decide between grammatical options.
- 4. Read again: Reread the completed sentence and the next one. Check meaning, tense, and subject–verb agreement.
- 5. Use elimination: If two options seem possible, remove the one you cannot justify with grammar, meaning, or a natural pairing. Guess rather than leave the gap empty.
Meaning alone is not enough
A word can match the topic but break the sentence. Test grammar and meaning together before you choose.
Worked example
Community libraries (practice text, not a real exam item)
Across the region, community libraries have widened their _____ role well beyond lending books.
- a)traditional
- b)traditionally
- c)tradition
- d)traditionalist
Answer: traditional
Their comes before the gap, and role is a noun after it. The gap therefore needs an adjective: traditional role.
Traditionally is an adverb. Tradition is a noun. Traditionalist describes a person or belief that resists change, so it does not fit this context. Grammar and meaning remove three options.
Use this order in practice: read the sentence, identify the grammar slot, test nearby words, then reread the passage.
Academic and Core scoring
The task looks and feels the same in both exams. PTE Academic scores Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) for Reading only. PTE Core scores Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks for both Reading and Writing. Check the current score guide for your exam if you see older naming in another source.
For Core target planning, see the integrated Writing tasks lesson. For score targets, see the score-target lesson.
How dropdown blanks are scored
Both exams award partial credit per gap.
| Result | Points |
|---|---|
| Correct gap | 1 point |
| Incorrect or empty gap | 0 points; no deduction |
Secure easy gaps first
Partial credit is awarded per gap. Complete confident choices first, then return to harder ones. Keep a note of repeated noun–verb or collocation errors for your next practice set.
Continue learning
Related lessons and more practice
Try a full set of dropdown fill-in-the-blanks practice. Use the exam picker to choose Academic or Core. Next: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers.
For wider Reading strategy, see Core Reading Skills or all Reading task types.
Official references: PTE Academic Score Guide and PTE Core Score Guide.