PTE lesson · Reading

PTE Reading Reading: Fill in the Blanks notesFill in the Blanks: sort the bank

Sort the bank by word class and each gap has few candidates. This PTE lesson is a deck of 10 visual cards from BandLadder's own study library, written and fact-checked by our team.
  • 10 cards
  • 3 cards free
  • PDF with any plan
  • Updated 30 September 2026

Original BandLadder material

What's inside

It teaches a 4-step method: sort, slot, fit and check. Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.

With a free BandLadder account you can read the first three cards online in our study reader, on the web and in the app. The other 7 cards and the PDF download come with any plan.

The first 2 of 10 cards

Preview

  1. PTEReading · Reading: Fill in the Blanks

    Don't try every word everywhere

    the slow way to fill a gap

    Trying each bank word in each gap is slow and confusing. Sort the bank by word class first, and every gap only has to choose between a few words.

    The crops are ______ enoughadjective slot to survive a cold snap.

    Read the slot before the words.

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material1 / 10
  2. PTEReading · Reading: Fill in the Blanks

    What the test gives you

    the official figures, both tracks

    PTE AcademicPTE Core
    TimePart of the section clockPart of the section clock
    Scored on1 per correct blank1 per correct blank
    Counts forReadingReading

    Timings: Pearson's test format. Scoring and skills: its Score Guides (Academic July 2025, Core January 2026).

    © 2026 BandLadder · original material2 / 10
  3. Card 3 of 10 onwards

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10 cards

Contents

  1. 1Don't try every word everywherethe slow way to fill a gapIn the preview
  2. 2What the test gives youthe official figures, both tracksIn the preview
  3. 3Sort, slot, fittext up to 80 words, more words than gapsFree account
  4. 4Sort the bank oncetwo words in each pile, three gaps to fillWith a plan
  5. 5Q1: a noun slot"a small ___ behind" names the pileWith a plan
  6. 6Q2: a verb slot"volunteers ___ the soil", next pileWith a plan
  7. 7Q3: an adjective slot"are ___ enough", and the words left overWith a plan
  8. 8Two habits to swapwhat to do insteadWith a plan
  9. 9Your turnnew gaps: name the pile, then the wordWith a plan
  10. 10Save thisthe drag-and-drop checklistWith a plan

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Questions

FAQ

Is the Fill in the Blanks: sort the bank lesson free?+

The first three cards are free to read online with a free BandLadder account. The full lesson opens with any plan.

Can I download the Fill in the Blanks: sort the bank PDF?+

The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.

Who wrote this lesson?+

The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.

Is it for PTE Academic or PTE Core?+

Both versions of the test: it covers what they share and says where they differ.

IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia. PTE is a trademark of Pearson. BandLadder is not affiliated with either.

© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy

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