PTE Listening Fill In The Blanks Tips For High Scores
The listening section of the PTE exam is crucial, as it tests your ability to understand spoken English in academic contexts.
Among these, PTE listening fill in the blanks is a key task that requires strong listening skills and a good vocabulary.
Follow LUME Test to learn about its structure and strategies that help you achieve better results.
|
Want to FINALLY Pass the PTE Test And Achieve Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan (Limited seats available!) |
Related:
In the “Fill in the blanks” section, you’ll see a transcript on the screen with some words missing.
You need to listen to a recording, which lasts about 30 to 60 seconds, and type the correct words into the blanks.
The task usually has 2-3 questions, and each transcript can have up to 7 blanks.
You only get to hear the audio once, so listen carefully.
Also, you can note on a provided erasable noteboard, then click on the blanks or use the Tab key to type the answers.
There is no negative marking, and you get 1 point for every correct word.
Read The Text Quickly
To prepare effectively, begin by skimming through the text.
This quick read-through will give you a general idea of the topic and help you anticipate what kind of words might fill the gaps.
It’s not necessary to understand every detail, but grasping the overall context is important.
You can then predict the types of words or themes the audio might contain.
It helps you to focus better when you start listening.
Highlight Names And Places
Next, focus on proper nouns like names of people, cities, organizations, or other unique terms.
These words often stand out in both the text and the audio, making them valuable clues for filling in the blanks.
By identifying them in advance, you won’t be thrown off when you hear them in the recording.
Watch For Repeated Words
Also, pay attention to any repeated words or phrases in the text.
Repetition often indicates the importance of specific keywords in the audio.
These words might fill in the gaps or serve as context for the missing information.
Recognizing these repeated terms will make it easier to fill in blanks quickly and accurately during the listening phase.
Start At The First Blank
When the recording starts, put your cursor in the first blank, so you’re ready to type as soon as the audio begins.
This avoids any delay in starting the task.
Then, you should focus on the first meaning of the word and listen carefully to the context.
The flow of the audio will guide you through the gasps, helping you stay on track.
Follow With The Audio
While listening, follow the written text with your cursor or finger.
This active engagement ensures you don’t miss any important sections and helps you match what you hear to the text accurately.
By doing so, you will stay focused on both the audio and the text, minimizing the chance of confusion or missing blanks.
Type While Listening
During the recording, type the missing words as you hear them.
It will keep your pace steady and ensure that you don’t lose track of the recording.
A pro tip is just to type without hesitation, as you might miss the next part when stopping to think.
Spell Correctly
Besides, be mindful of spelling because a correct answer with an incorrect spelling will not be awarded any points.
Ensure that your spelling matches the standard of UK English and the expected grammatical forms.
Guess If Unsure
If you’re unsure of a word, don’t panic.
One of the PTE listening fill in the blanks tips is to make a guess based on the context you have.
Often, you can deduce the missing word through logical reasoning or by thinking about common word pairings in the language.
Trust your instincts and move forward, as guessing can increase your chances of getting it right.
Once the audio ends, it’s time to review your answers.
Go through the sentences you’ve filled in and check if they make sense within the overall context.
Also, make sure that the grammar is correct and that the sentences flow logically.
The goal is that the text sounds natural and that the missing words fit into the contexts.
You can start by practicing regularly with timed exercises.
The more you practice, the better you’ll get at listening and typing at the same time.
Try listening to English podcasts, news, or short videos every day and practice filling in missing words.
This will help you get used to different speaking speeds and accents.
Next, work on predicting the missing words.
As you practice, try to guess what kind of word should go in the blank.
Understanding common phrases and word pairs can help.
For example, certain words often appear together, like “make sure” or “take part.”
Another important step is to improve your typing speed.
The faster you type, the easier it will be to keep up with the audio.
Practice typing without looking at the keyboard so you can type more smoothly.
Finally, remember to focus on UK English spelling and grammar.
The PTE exam uses UL English, so it’s best to know the differences between UL and US spelling, like “colour” instead of “color.”
Also, check your grammar, especially singular/ plural forms and verb tenses, as these can affect your score.
Common mistakes in this section include choosing the wrong word form, misunderstanding the context, making grammar mistakes, and confusing homophones.
Students may choose the wrong word form because they don’t pay enough attention to the sentence structure.
Also, misunderstanding the context of the audio leads to incorrect answers, as it’s important to grasp the overall meaning.
Grammar errors, like incorrect tenses or subject-verb agreement, can also change the sentence.
Lastly, homophones, which sound the same but have different meanings, can confuse students if they don’t consider the sentence carefully.
Therefore, it’s best to practice listening and understanding word use to avoid these mistakes.
In short, to do well in PTE Listening Fill in the blanks, prepare by skimming the text, highlighting proper nouns, and noting repeated words.
During the listening, start with the first blank, follow the text closely, and type as you hear the words.
Make sure your spelling is correct, and guess if you’re unsure.
Finally, review your answers for context and grammar to avoid any mistakes.
|
Want to FINALLY Pass the PTE Test And Achieve Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan (Limited seats available!) |
Share
Lume Test
Editor
Lume Test is a leading platform offering practice questions and mock tests for major English exams like PTE, IELTS, TOEIC, DET, and more. We provide up-to-date, comprehensive materials designed to help learners improve their language skills and achieve high scores. With expert-crafted tests that closely mirror real exam formats, Lume Test ensures you're fully prepared for success. Your goals are our mission!
