Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks · Part 2: Reading

Progressive enhancement

76 students marked "I sat this"Added 9 May 2020Question #120181

Choose the word for each blank.

Progressive enhancement is a design practice based on the idea that instead of 1 the least capable browser, or mangling our code to make a site look the same in every browser, we should provide a core set of functionality and information to all users, and then 2 the appearance and behavior of the site for users of more capable browsers. It's very productive development practice. 3 hours working out how to add drop shadows to the borders of an element in every browser, we simply use the standards-based approach for browsers that support it and don't even attempt to implement it in browsers that don’t. After all, the users of older and less capable browsers wont know what they are missing. 4 to progressive enhancement is the belief among developers and clients that websites should look the same in every browser. As a developer, you can simplify your life and dedicate your time to more interesting challenges if you let go of this outdated notion and embrace progressive enhancement.

Options for each gap (alphabetical)

  • 1 building · creating · depending from · designing for
  • 2 gently advance · gradually decrease · moderately increase · progressively enhance
  • 3 instead of finding · instead of spending · instead of taking · instead of wasting
  • 4 the best change · the biggest challenge · the biggest progress · the first battle

More Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks questions

Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks format (Pearson)

Pearson's name: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown)

PromptText up to 200 words
Time to answerNot set per question (Part 2 lasts 23–30 minutes)
Skills assessedReading, Writing

How it is scored

  • Partial credit applies: a partly correct response still scores.

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