Top Tips for Fill in the Blanks Tasks in PTE Listening

Fill in the Blanks is the third task type of the PTE listening exam. Here’s how it works. First, you must listen to an audio material that’ll automatically play seven seconds after you enter the page. Then, you must fill in the gaps of an incomplete transcript of the recording.

It’s not as easy as it sounds. For one thing, you can only listen to the audio material once. For another, you can’t pause or play it to give yourself time to analyze what you just heard. You have to follow the recording, pay close attention to the transcript, and jot down notes all at the same time.

Don’t let the pressure get to you. Incorporate the following tips into your PTEonline review efforts to breeze through this nerve-wracking section.

1. Check out the text before the audio plays. 

The recording won’t play immediately after you enter the page. There’s a seven-second intermission. Make the most out of it by skimming the incomplete transcript.

Ignore the blanks. Focus on understanding the text’s overall idea.

2. Know what to look out for when you skim. 

When you skim, consider all proper nouns you encounter. You can draw a lot of information from them that’ll help you understand the text better. But, don’t worry if you’re not familiar with the names. Take note of all the words that are repeatedly mentioned as well. Practice your skimming skills during your PTE online review.

3. Hone your multitasking skills.

To ace the fill in the blanks section, you need to be a multitasker. You need to listen to the text, keep an eye on the transcript, and jot down the words/phrases that you think will complete the text’s gaps. Otherwise, you’ll risk falling behind the audio and missing the answers you need. So, enhance your multitasking skills. Answer as many fill in the blank practice tests during your PTE online course review to get used to the pressure.

4. Proofread your notes and answers after the recording ends.

Disregard spelling and punctuation when you jot down your notes. Focus on following the recording. Once the audio material is done, reread the text. Then, go over your notes and pick out the words that you think will complete the transcript. Figure out how they’re spelled before you type them on the blanks.

Set yourself up for success. Complement your PTE online course review with your own study efforts. Adopt these tips to enhance your performance in the listening exam. But, don’t stop there. Develop your strategy for the other PTE task types as well to boost your chances of reaching your band score goal!

References:

"Listening Fill in the Blanks." PTE Academic. Accessed July 04, 2018. https://pearsonpte.com/the-test/format/english-listening/fill-in-the-blanks/.


Nizmy. "PTE Academic Listening: Fill in the Blanks Practice Exercise 1." English 2 Language. August 06, 2017. Accessed July 04, 2018. https://english2language.com/pte-academic-listening-fill-blanks-practice-exercise-1.html.

"PTE Academic Listening Fill in the Blanks Practice 1." PTE Academic Exam Study Guide. June 21, 2017. Accessed July 04, 2018. https://hotshot24.com/pte-academic-listening-fill-blanks-practice-1.html.

"PTE Academic Listening Test 13—Fill in the Blanks—Practice Sample." PTE Academic Exam. November 17, 2016. Accessed July 04, 2018. https://pteacademicexam.com/pte-academic-listening-test-13-fill-in-the-blanks-practice-sample/.