ListeningPTE AcademicPTE Core

PTE Select Missing Word

In PTE Select Missing Word you listen to a recording that is cut off at the end, and choose the option that best completes it. There is no negative marking. The task tests whether you followed the speaker's line of argument closely enough to predict where it was going.

Timing
The audio plays once and cuts off. Choose what should come next.
Contributes to
Listening score
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How PTE Select Missing Word is scored

  • One point for the correct option (no negative marking)

How to score higher in Select Missing Word

  1. 1

    Concentrate hardest on the final 10 seconds — the ending is what the missing phrase has to follow from.

  2. 2

    Track the speaker's direction of argument. If they have been listing drawbacks, the ending will not suddenly praise the idea.

  3. 3

    Read the options first so you can listen with them in mind.

  4. 4

    Always answer; there is no penalty for a wrong choice.

Common mistakes in Select Missing Word

  • Losing focus towards the end of the recording, which is the only part that really matters.
  • Choosing an option that is grammatically neat but contradicts the speaker's argument.

Select Missing Word — frequently asked questions

What is Select Missing Word in PTE?

It is a listening task in which the recording is cut off at the end and you choose the option that best completes it. It is scored one point for the correct choice with no negative marking, so you should always answer.

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