PTE Academic — Pearson Test of English

PTE Reading and Writing — Fill in the Blanks, Set 2

Take the PTE Reading and Writing — Fill in the Blanks, Set 2: 20 multiple-choice questions (30 minutes) with instant scoring and a full answer review.…

What this test covers

• 20 PTE Reading and Writing

Sample questions with answers

The first 5 questions of this test, with the correct answer and explanation.

1. Q1. The researchers ______ a survey of 500 households. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   • A. made up
   • B. did over
   • C. carried out ✓
   • D. took off

   Answer: C. carried out

   Explanation: "Carry out a survey" is the standard collocation.

2. Q2. The new law will come into ______ next January. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   • A. strength
   • B. power
   • C. action
   • D. force ✓

   Answer: D. force

   Explanation: Laws "come into force".

3. Q3. The findings ______ doubt on earlier theories about the disease. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   • A. cast ✓
   • B. put
   • C. threw
   • D. gave

   Answer: A. cast

   Explanation: The fixed expression is "cast doubt on".

4. Q4. The government has ______ funds to improve rural schools. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   • A. located
   • B. collocated
   • C. dislocated
   • D. allocated ✓

   Answer: D. allocated

   Explanation: To allocate funds is to set them aside for a purpose.

5. Q5. The disease is ______ in tropical regions, where it affects millions of people. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   • A. temporary
   • B. widespread ✓
   • C. unknown
   • D. scarce

   Answer: B. widespread

   Explanation: Affecting millions means it is widespread.

The other 15 questions

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6. Q6. The experiment was designed to ______ the effects of temperature from those of humidity. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   • A. isolate
   • B. combine
   • C. ignore
   • D. repeat

7. Q7. The museum is popular with tourists. ______, it attracts many local schools. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   • A. In addition
   • B. In contrast
   • C. Instead
   • D. As a result

8. Q8. ______ the cost, the project was approved because of its long-term benefits. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   • A. Due to
   • B. Regardless of
   • C. Because of
   • D. Owing to

9. Q9. Many students are concerned ______ the rising cost of education. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

   • A. at
   • B. to
   • C. about
   • D. on

10. Q10. The treatment is not suitable ______ young children. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. for
    • B. with
    • C. at
    • D. to

11. Q11. Climate change is expected to have a profound ______ on agriculture. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. reason
    • B. result
    • C. product
    • D. impact

12. Q12. The two scientists reached the same conclusion ______, without knowing about each other's work. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. dependently
    • B. independently
    • C. reluctantly
    • D. previously

13. Q13. The company plans to ______ its old factories with modern equipment. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. uphold
    • B. upgrade
    • C. downgrade
    • D. upset

14. Q14. It is important to ______ a balance between work and rest. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. hit
    • B. knock
    • C. strike
    • D. beat

15. Q15. The policy reduced pollution; ______, it was unpopular with drivers. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. similarly
    • B. consequently
    • C. for instance
    • D. nonetheless

16. Q16. The survey results ______ that most people support the plan. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. indicate
    • B. educate
    • C. predicate
    • D. dictate

17. Q17. The number of visitors has risen ______ 20 percent since last year. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. at
    • B. of
    • C. by
    • D. with

18. Q18. Scientists have ______ progress in understanding how the brain stores memories. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. given
    • B. made
    • C. done
    • D. taken

19. Q19. The ancient city was ______ by a powerful earthquake in the fourth century. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. devoted
    • B. deviated
    • C. developed
    • D. devastated

20. Q20. Some plants, ______ cacti, can store water for long periods. Choose the word that best completes the sentence.

    • A. therefore
    • B. whereas
    • C. for example
    • D. however