Why the First Blank in PTE Reading Is Always the Hardest
In many PTE Reading passages, the first or second blank is intentionally made more difficult. This is a time-management trap—students spend too long debating the first blank and lose focus on the rest of the passage. The key is to use the passage to your advantage instead of wasting time early.
PTE Reading Strategy: How to Tackle the First Blank Trap:
- Eliminate obvious misfits in the first
- Skip it and solve the easier blanks
- Use context from the passage to come back and choose
Full Example Paragraph (5 Blanks):
The sudden change in weather patterns (1) many scientists, leading to new research on climate adaptation. Over the past decade, extreme temperature fluctuations and unpredictable storms have (2) traditional forecasting models. As a result, researchers are working to (3) more accurate prediction systems that can handle complex variables. These efforts are also focused on helping communities (4) to the realities of climate change. Experts believe that public awareness campaigns will play a critical role in (5) support for sustainable policies.
Options for each blank:
- alarmed / fascinated / damaged / confused
- strengthened / challenged / supported / confirmed
- develop / ignore / abandon / resist
- adapt / oppose / withdraw / decline
- generating / ignoring / limiting / discouraging
Step-by-Step PTE Reading Application:
Step 1: First Blank (Trap Blank)
- Eliminate ‘damaged’ (scientists can’t be physically damaged here).
- ‘Fascinated’ feels possible but too casual for a serious research
- Skip for now, leaving ‘alarmed’ and ‘confused’
Step 2: Solve the Rest
Blank 2: Extreme temperature fluctuations have traditional forecasting models.
- Correct = challenged (logical; storms challenge models).
Blank 3: Researchers are working to more accurate prediction systems.
- Correct = develop (fits the idea of creating systems).
Blank 4: Helping communities to the realities of climate change.
- Correct = adapt (common collocation: adapt to).
Blank 5: Campaigns will play a role in support for sustainable policies.
- Correct = generating (collocation: generate support).
Step 3: Return to First Blank
After reading the whole passage, the tone is urgent and research-driven:
- ‘alarmed’ fits the context (scientists reacting to risk).
- ‘confused’ is too passive, and ‘fascinated’ doesn’t match the urgency.
Final Answers:
- alarmed
- challenged
- develop
- adapt
- generating
Key Takeaway:
The first blank is often a time trap. Eliminate obvious wrong answers, skip ahead, build context, and return with clarity to improve both speed and accuracy.
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