The speed of sound (otherwise known as Mach 1) varies…
Drag words into the blanks.
The speed of sound (otherwise known as Mach 1) varies with temperature. At sea level on a standard day', the temperature is 59°F, and Mach 1 is 1 761 mph. As the altitude increases, the temperature and speed of sound 2 decrease until about 36,000 feet, after which the temperature remains steady until about 60,000 feet. Within that 36,000 - 60,000 foot range, Mach 1 is about 661 mph. Because of the 3, it is possible for an aeroplane flying supersonic at high altitude to be slower than a subsonic flight at sea level. The transonic band (the 'sound barrier') extends 4 around Mach 0.8 - when the first supersonic shock waves form on the wing - to Mach 1.2, when the entire wing has gone supersonic.
Word box (alphabetical)
Answers
| Gap | Answer | In the text |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | approximately | …and Mach 1 is approximately 761 mph. As… |
| 2 | both | …and speed of sound both decrease until about… |
| 3 | variation | …mph. Because of the variation , it is… |
| 4 | from | …(the 'sound barrier') extends from around Mach 0.8… |
Words in the box that fit no gap: beneath, neither, reluctantly, similarity.
Check each gap for the kind of word it needs (noun, verb form, adjective or adverb) before you look at the meaning.
RealPTE numbers
From RealPTE practice records and students’ “I sat this” reports, counted weekly (last count 2026-10-31). Reports are what students tell us; predictions are not guaranteed.
Questions about this question
What is the answer to PTE Reading FIB (Drag and Drop) #724040?
The answers in order are: approximately, both, variation, from.
How do I get full marks on this Reading FIB (Drag and Drop) question?
Match each gap to the kind of word it needs, then to the meaning. Each correct gap scores; there are more words in the box than gaps.
Can I practise #724040 with scoring?
Yes. The practice button on this page opens question #724040 in the RealPTE practice screen, where your answer is scored when you finish.
Opens question #724040 in the RealPTE practice screen.
Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop) format (Pearson)
| Prompt | Text up to 80 words |
|---|---|
| Time to answer | Not set per question (Part 2 lasts 23–30 minutes) |
| Skills assessed | Reading |
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.