The coastal hypothesis
Drag words into the blanks.
The coastal hypothesis 1 an economy based on marine mammal hunting, saltwater fishing, shellfish gathering, and the use of watercraft. 2 of the barrier of ice to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and populated areas to the north, there may have been a greater 3 for people to move in a southerly direction.
Word box (alphabetical)
Answers
| Gap | Answer | In the text |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | suggests | …The coastal hypothesis suggests an economy based… |
| 2 | Because | …the use of watercraft. Because of the barrier… |
| 3 | impetus | …have been a greater impetus for people to… |
Words in the box that fit no gap: ceremony, denies, Despite, harvest.
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) #724059?
The answers in order are: suggests, Because, impetus.
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 #724059 with scoring?
Yes. The practice button on this page opens question #724059 in the RealPTE practice screen, where your answer is scored when you finish.
Opens question #724059 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.