In 1922, the world witnessed one of the most significant…
Choose the word for each blank.
In 1922, the world witnessed one of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century - the unearthing of King Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt. This event marked a 1 moment in our understanding of ancient Egyptian civilization. The young pharaoh, Tutankhamun, who 2 during the 18th dynasty, had been somewhat obscure until British archaeologist Howard Carter's remarkable discovery. Carter's quest for Tutankhamun's tomb was fueled by years of meticulous research and 3. When he finally came upon the nearly intact tomb, it was a historical triumph. The tomb's contents, 4 for over 3,000 years, were astonishing. They included the iconic gold mask of Tutankhamun, a 5 of gold artefacts, and beautifully preserved wall paintings depicting the young king's life and journey to the afterlife. This discovery offered unprecedented insights into the art, culture, and daily life of ancient Egypt.
Options for each gap (alphabetical)
- 1 marginal · partial · pivotal · trivial
- 2 refrained · reigned · relented · resigned
- 3 expiration · exploitation · exploration · explosion
- 4 prescribed · preserved · presumed · pretended
- 5 fraction · plateau · plethora · scarcity
Answers
| Gap | Answer | In the text |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | pivotal | …This event marked a pivotal moment in our… Not: trivial, partial, marginal |
| 2 | reigned | …young pharaoh, Tutankhamun, who reigned during the 18th… Not: resigned, relented, refrained |
| 3 | exploration | …of meticulous research and exploration . When he… Not: explosion, expiration, exploitation |
| 4 | preserved | …triumph. The tomb's contents, preserved for over 3,000… Not: presumed, pretended, prescribed |
| 5 | plethora | …mask of Tutankhamun, a plethora of gold artefacts,… Not: fraction, scarcity, plateau |
For each gap, read the words on both sides: the right option fits the grammar (word form, preposition, tense) and the meaning of the sentence.
RealPTE numbers
From RealPTE practice records and students’ “I sat this” reports, counted weekly (last count 2026-10-21). Reports are what students tell us; predictions are not guaranteed.
Questions about this question
What is the answer to PTE Reading FIB (Dropdown) #725014?
The answers in order are: pivotal, reigned, exploration, preserved, plethora.
How do I get full marks on this Reading FIB (Dropdown) question?
Choose the option that fits both the grammar and the meaning of the sentence. Each correct gap scores one point.
Can I practise #725014 with scoring?
Yes. The practice button on this page opens question #725014 in the RealPTE practice screen, where your answer is scored when you finish.
Opens question #725014 in the RealPTE practice screen.
Reading: Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown) format (Pearson)
| Prompt | Text up to 200 words |
|---|---|
| Time to answer | Not set per question (Part 2 lasts 23–30 minutes) |
| Skills assessed | Reading |
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.