The Project
When you're faced with a gap in the text and several similar options to choose from, it’s not just about knowing what each word means—it’s about understanding how the word fits within the overall context of the sentence and the passage. You need to look at the big picture.
practise PET Reading Part 5 - GAPFILL
use context - Vesuvius
more PET Reading Part 5 interactive practice - The Rat Race
In Part 5 of the PET Reading Paper, all the answer choices will usually be the same part of speech (verbs, adjectives, prepositions and so on). The challenge is to figure out which word makes the most sense, not just grammatically but also in terms of meaning.
Here are some useful ways to help you answer Part 5 of the PET Reading Paper:
understand the context
Read the following sentence carefully, and think about what it’s saying:
"The project was finally ______ after months of hard work."
The sentence tells you that something happened after months of hard work. The missing word is likely something that means finished, but in a specific way that fits with a project.
Our word choices are: finished, done, completed, achieved
look at the other words in the sentence
Often, clues are not just in the missing word but also in the rest of the sentence. In this case, the word "project" suggests something formal and structured. This helps narrow down our options, so we can look for a formal word that means finished.
eliminate words that don't fit
Let’s analyse each word choice:
- Finished: Not bad, but quite general in meaning and use. Let's see if there are better options.
- Done: This is more casual, and doesn’t sound right in the context of a project.
- Completed: A good fit because we often say that projects are "completed." It's formal and structured.
- Achieved: While you achieve goals, it doesn't fit well with a project.
check for collocations
Some words naturally go together. In this case, "completed project" collocates, while "done project" or "achieved project" sound odd. Recognizing collocations can help you choose the most natural-sounding option.
test the options in the sentence
Once you've narrowed down your choices, try placing each option in the sentence:
- "The project was finally completed after months of hard work." ✅
- "The project was finally done after months of hard work." ❌
- "The project was finally achieved after months of hard work." ❌
- "The project was finally finished after months of hard work." ❌
pay attention to register
In formal contexts like exams, some words fit better than others. "Completed" is more formal than "done," and it’s more specific for a project. Being aware of these nuances will help you make better choices.
recap
- Context clues help you understand the meaning of the missing word.
- Look at the sentence as a whole for hints.
- Eliminate words that don’t fit in meaning, tone, or formality.
- Test each option by inserting it back into the sentence.
- Recognize common collocations to ensure the word sounds natural.
By practising this approach, you’ll learn how to read for meaning and select the word that fits best based on the sentence context. Understanding the context is key to choosing the correct answer in Part 5 of the PET Reading Paper. It's not just about grammar, but about meaning. By paying attention to the full sentence and surrounding information, you'll be able to pick the word that best fits the situation.
practise PET Reading Part 5 - GAPFILL
use context - Vesuvius
more PET Reading Part 5 interactive practice - The Rat Race
Take a moment to apply this strategy with a practice test! See how well you can identify the correct words using context.
At myenglishexams, we provide lots of practice materials and examples to help you master this strategy and many more! Keep practicing, and you'll see your skills improve in no time.
final takeaways
- Context is key!
- Always think about the meaning, tone, and formality of the sentence.
- Practise recognizing collocations and testing word choices to build confidence.
