Reading: Fill in the Blanks · Part 2: Reading

Self-defeating

9 students marked "I sat this"Added 5 Jul 2021Question #110341

Drag words into the blanks.

Don't allow yourself to slip into self-defeating habits, such as procrastinating. Try to keep a 1 going in your study. Scatter blocks of study with short breaks to limit fatigue. If you study solidly for a couple of hours, make sure you give yourself fifteen minutes or so before you start up again. Think positively about yourself and your situation. Challenge the negative thoughts that 2 into your mind and cause you unnecessary stress at times, such as 'I'm going to fail', 'I'll end up blowing my future, my change of getting a career'. You don't have any need to think catastrophically, it's not achieving anything. In fact, it's doing you a lot more harm than good, because it's distracting you away from what you need to do. Learn to become more relaxed in your daily life. There are simple techniques, such as breathing exercises and 3 muscular relaxation exercises, as well as guided imagery, which can help you to feel calmer, and more focused. The Macquarie University Counsellors can help you with these techniques. Some do relaxation tapes for students.

Word box (alphabetical)

creepescapeevanescentmomentumprogressivestatus

More Reading: Fill in the Blanks questions

Reading: Fill in the Blanks format (Pearson)

Pearson's name: Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop)

PromptText up to 80 words
Time to answerNot set per question (Part 2 lasts 23–30 minutes)
Skills assessedReading

How it is scored

  • The box has more words than there are gaps.
  • Partial credit applies: a partly correct response still scores.

Source: Pearson, PTE Academic & UKVI test format, Part 2: Reading, checked 9 October 2026.