Why Anchor Blanks Matter
One of the most common mistakes PTE candidates make is trying to solve every blank in order, juggling all options at the same time. This often leads to confusion and guesswork.
The Anchor Blank Strategy solves this problem by identifying the clearest, most obvious blanks first and using them as “anchors” to guide the rest of the passage.
What Are Anchor Blanks?
Anchor blanks are the blanks with:
- Only one logically correct option
- Strong collocation or grammar clues
- Clear context that locks in the meaning of the sentence
Once you fill these anchors, they help set the tone, grammar structure, and meaning for the rest of the passage.
Example:
The company decided to ______ a new marketing campaign after noticing a decline in sales. This strategy was aimed at ______ customer engagement and boosting revenue.
First Blank Options: initiate / increase / enhance / improving
Second Blank Options: initiating / enhance / improving / boosting
Anchor Blank: initiate (only word that fits grammatically and logically in the first sentence)
Once you lock in initiate, the second blank naturally becomes enhancing or boosting, eliminating illogical combinations.
How to Apply the Anchor Blank Strategy
Step 1: Scan the Passage
Read the entire passage first to understand tone, context, and main idea.
Step 2: Identify Obvious Blanks
Look for:
- Strong collocations (conduct research, take responsibility)
- Clear grammar clues (verb tense, singular/plural, article usage)
- Words that fit naturally without hesitation
Step 3: Lock and Build
Use the anchor blank(s) to:
- Establish tone and register
- Narrow down collocations
- Eliminate options in surrounding blanks
Why This Works
- Reduces cognitive overload (no juggling 4 blanks at once)
- Creates a “domino effect” where one answer supports the next
- Improves accuracy by anchoring decisions in logic, not guessing
Key Takeaway
The Anchor Blank Strategy transforms PTE Fill-in-the-Blanks into a structured puzzle rather than a guessing game.
By locking in the clearest answers first, you create a logical framework that guides every other choice.