In PTE Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop), you need to drag words from a list and drop them into the correct blanks. This task tests vocabulary, grammar, and contextual understanding. Below are practical tips and three worked-out examples with detailed explanations to guide your practice.

Smart Tips for Drag and Drop Blanks

1. Grammar Fit: Check if the word is noun, verb, adjective, or adverb to match the blank.
2. Collocations: Look for common word pairings (e.g., “take responsibility,” “make progress”).
3. Meaning in Context: Ensure the sentence makes logical sense with your chosen word.
4. Elimination: Remove words that sound awkward, are grammatically incorrect, or do not fit logically.

Example 1

The rise of social media has significantly ___(1)___ the way people communicate. Instead of writing letters, individuals now ___(2)___ messages instantly across the globe. However, excessive use can sometimes ___(3)___ face-to-face interactions and lead to isolation.

Word List: strengthened, transformed, send, collect, weakened, ignore

Correct Answers: 1. transformed   2. send   3. weaken

Detailed Explanation

1. Blank 1: “Has significantly ___ the way people communicate” → a big change is implied → transformed is the most accurate. Others either don’t match the context or weaken the meaning.
2. Blank 2: “Now ___ messages instantly” → action word is needed. Send messages is the natural collocation. “Collect” or “ignore” do not fit.
3. Blank 3: “Can sometimes ___ face-to-face interactions” → effect is negative. Weaken is best; others don’t convey the intended meaning.

Example 2

A balanced diet provides the body with essential nutrients to ___(1)___ good health. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins that help ___(2)___ the immune system. On the other hand, excessive consumption of junk food may ___(3)___ serious health problems in the long run.

Word List: maintain, trigger, reduce, support, ignore, create

Correct Answers: 1. maintain   2. support   3. trigger

Detailed Explanation

1. Blank 1: “Nutrients to ___ good health” → the correct collocation is maintain good health. Others are either illogical (reduce health) or unnatural (create health).
2. Blank 2: “Help ___ the immune system” → the phrase support the immune system is widely used in health and academic texts.
3. Blank 3: “May ___ serious health problems” → cause or initiate is implied → trigger health problems is the most accurate and natural choice.

Example 3 (Advanced)

Scientific discoveries often ___(1)___ from years of careful research and experimentation. Many breakthroughs are the result of scientists who ___(2)___ traditional ideas and search for innovative solutions. Such progress can ___(3)___ entire industries and even ___(4)___ the daily lives of ordinary people.

Word List: disrupt, challenge, arise, transform, follow, ignore

Correct Answers: 1. arise   2. challenge   3. disrupt   4. transform

Detailed Explanation

1. Blank 1: “Discoveries often ___ from years of research” → the phrase arise from is a standard collocation meaning “come from.” Other options like “follow from” are possible but less natural in academic English.
2. Blank 2: “Scientists who ___ traditional ideas” → the correct verb is challenge, meaning they question existing theories. “Ignore” does not capture the positive critical role of science.
3. Blank 3: “Such progress can ___ entire industries” → here, disrupt industries is a common collocation meaning to radically change them. “Transform industries” is also possible, but since we need another word for the next blank, disrupt fits best here.
4. Blank 4: “And even ___ the daily lives of people” → transform daily lives is the most natural collocation. It indicates a positive, large-scale change.

The 4-Step Method for Every Blank

1. Look for Grammar Clues → Check if the blank needs a verb, noun, adjective, etc.
2. Check Collocations → Use common word combinations (e.g., maintain health, disrupt industries, transform lives).
3. Use Logic & Meaning → Make sure the option makes sense in the sentence and overall passage.
4. Eliminate Wrong Options → Remove words that don’t match grammatically, sound unnatural, or are illogical in context.

Final Note

In PTE Reading Drag and Drop Blanks, your success depends on recognizing grammar patterns, collocations, and logical meaning. With detailed practice on examples like the ones above, you’ll develop the ability to choose correct answers quickly and accurately in the exam.