Read the Passage Completely First:
Always read the entire passage from start to finish before looking at the blanks or word options. This allows you to understand the general theme, which, for this task, is “renewable energy solutions.” Skimming quickly helps you see how the ideas connect. If you read only around the blanks, you might miss the main point—such as whether the passage is comparing energy sources, explaining a problem, or describing a solution. In PTE Academic, the passages are short (about 120 words) but packed with academic vocabulary. Reading fully gives you a big-picture view, so you’re ready to predict missing words with more confidence.

Spot the Grammar of Each Blank:
Look closely at the words before and after each blank. Decide if you need a noun, verb, adjective, adverb, connector, or preposition. For example, in “Renewable energy is a ___ solution,” only an adjective fits the blank. Being able to label the grammar narrows down your choices and stops you from using words that “sound right” but don’t fit the sentence structure. PTE Academic often puts similar words as distractors, so pay attention!

Predict the Missing Word Before Looking at Choices:
Before you even look at the word bank, try to imagine what kind of word makes sense. Is it a type of energy? A result? A process? For example, “Wind and solar are ___ sources of power” clearly needs a positive or descriptive adjective. If you predict first, you won’t be distracted by wrong options.

Examine All Word Choices Thoroughly:
Look at each word in the list. Think about its meaning and grammar. Is it a verb when you need a noun? Does it match the topic? Some options are designed to trick you—for example, “efficiency” vs. “effective.” Eliminate those that definitely cannot fit.

Use Context Clues in the Sentences:
Academic texts, like those in the PTE, are full of context clues: words that signal cause/effect, comparison, or contrast (e.g., “however,” “for instance,” “due to”). Before filling the blank, check what the sentence before and after is saying. If the blank connects two ideas, maybe you need a linking word, not just a noun.

Look for Collocations and Fixed Expressions:
English has many set phrases, especially in academic writing about energy, like “renewable resource,” “reduce emissions,” “energy efficiency,” or “global challenge.” If you spot part of a familiar phrase before or after a blank, that’s a clue. Collocations are a frequent test point in PTE Academic.

Test Each Option in the Blank:
Drag and drop one option at a time into the blank. Read the sentence aloud in your head. Does it sound natural? Is the grammar correct? If it doesn’t work, try another word. Never “force” a word just because you want to use it up. There’s only one correct answer for each blank in real PTE Academic.

Check the Logical Flow of the Whole Passage:
After you fill all the blanks, reread the passage from start to end. Does it make sense as a whole? Is the argument or explanation logical? If a sentence is awkward, try changing your choice for that blank.

Look for Distractors and Close Meanings:
PTE Academic always includes tricky words that almost fit. Watch out for words with similar meanings but different usage, like “efficient” vs. “effective,” “reduce” vs. “limit.” If you’re stuck, eliminate words that are clearly wrong, then focus on what’s left.

Review and Submit with Confidence:
Check every blank once more. Make sure your choices fit both the meaning and grammar of the sentence. Trust your process! Each time you practice, you’ll get faster and more accurate. Remember to learn from your mistakes by reviewing the answer key after each exercise.

Learn from Detailed Feedback:
Don’t just check if your answers are right or wrong—read the explanations. Did you miss a collocation? Confuse the part of speech? The PTE Academic exam rewards those who understand why an answer is correct, not just what the answer is. Deep review is what transforms your reading score!