Coral Reefs
Choose the word for each blank.
Coral reefs 1 more marine life than any other ocean ecosystem and are, not 2 , a favorite pursuit for many divers. But as well as being physically and biologically spectacular, coral reefs also sustain the livelihoods of over half a billion people . What is more, this number is expected to 3 in coming decades while the area of high-quality reef is expected to halve. In combination with the very real threat of climate change, which could lead to increased seawater temperatures and ocean acidification , we start to arrive at some quite frightening scenarios .
Options for each gap (alphabetical)
- 1 cultivate · curb · harvest · support
- 2 demandingly · seemingly · specifically · surprisingly
- 3 appear · countdown · double · unravel
Answers
| Gap | Answer | In the text |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | support | …Coral reefs support more marine life… Not: curb, harvest, cultivate |
| 2 | surprisingly | …ecosystem and are, not surprisingly , a favorite… Not: seemingly, specifically, demandingly |
| 3 | double | …number is expected to double in coming decades… Not: appear, unravel, countdown |
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.
Questions about this question
What is the answer to PTE Reading FIB (Dropdown) #825018?
The answers in order are: support, surprisingly, double.
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 #825018 with scoring?
Yes. The practice button on this page opens question #825018 in the RealPTE practice screen, where your answer is scored when you finish.
Opens question #825018 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.