Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks is the first question type of Reading Module and it in the second part of the test once Writing finishes. Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks question type is the most important one in Reading module as well it contributes to Writing module also. In this question type the given paragraph is with some missing words and each gap has a drop-down menu box with four options. Select the option which you think is the appropriate one as per the given passage.
Task Format
- Prompt Length: Text up to 300 words
- Skills Assessed: Reading And Writing
- Time To Answer: Not Applicable (Overall up to 30 minutes are provided to the Reading Task)
- Skills Profile: Multiple Skill Comprehension
- No. of Tasks: 5-6
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Scoring Pattern of Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks
The score of Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks is added to Reading and Writing modules. Each correct answer carries one point, the partial credits are provided, there is no negative marking.
How subskills are tested?
Reading: First of all, identify the given topic theme or main idea of the passage and identify words and phrases appropriate to the context which means
- understanding academic vocabulary
- differentiate between connotation and denotation
- try to guess or conclude the meaning of unfamiliar words, try to locate the root word of the given word then it will be easy to make a right guess
- try to capture explicit and implicit information
- grasping concrete and abstract information such as following a logical or chronological sequence of events.
Writing: usage of words and phrases in the appropriate way to the context such as using correct grammar.
How to Answer Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks?
- Skim the entire text for the overall meaning of the paragraph. This will give you the idea on the topic the passage is based upon. Then, start re-reading the sentence to choose the appropriate option for the first BLANK. Choose the word which creates meaning in the context.
- Examine the sentence to decide what is the requirement, for instance, is it the noun, adjective, adverb or verb required. If it is verb then in which form and that depends on the passage.
- Collocations will help you a lot in choosing the word required. Think of about collocation while choosing the word.
- Once the options for the given blanks are chosen. Read the entire passage and move to the NEXT one.
Strategies to Follow:
- Improve Reading Skills: Read short passages, try to summarize the main ideas of the text. While reading the text look at the sentence structure and try to find out the verb tense patterns.
- Revising Grammar. Revise grammar using grammar book, try to solve the exercises given in the grammar book.
- Enhance Vocabulary: Read the passages on different topics given in the newspaper, journals, magazines and on internet. ‘WEFORUM.ORG’ is the best website to go through the different topics. Check the meaning in the dictionary, try to go through the synonyms and usage of similar words in the different topics.
- Be familiar with Collocations. Expand your knowledge of collocations: Read different books on Collocations such as ‘COLLOCATIONS IN USE’. If you understand the paring of the words then choosing the right option will not be difficult for you. For Instance: instead of using very ashamed, use deeply ashamed.
- Discourse Structure: pay attention on discourse structure of the given passage and notice how the writer uses cohesive devices such as conjunction, repetition of words and phrases, synonyms and antonyms.
Test Tips
- Time management is important as there are 5-6 passages of Reading & Writing: FIB. Try to spend 2 to 2.20 minutes on each passage not more than that.
- Skim the passage to have a quick idea of the paragraph.
- Apply your knowledge of Grammar.
- Think of collocations whereas the choice seems to be difficult.
- Look for the clues related to the given text such as the root words, synonyms, antonyms and transition words.
- Practice the task as much as you can.
