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PTE Academic · Listening · L6

PTE Academic Listening: Select Missing Word

In Select Missing Word you hear a recording in which the final word or group of words is replaced by a beep. You choose the option that correctly completes it. There is one correct answer and no negative marking. PTE Academic includes 1 to 2 of these items in the Listening part.

Items per test
1–2
Recording
Played once; ends with a beep
Response
Choose one option
Scoring
Correct or incorrect; no negative marking
Scores
Listening

How it works

  1. 1The answer options are shown on screen.
  2. 2The recording plays once, and a beep replaces the ending.
  3. 3You choose the option that completes the recording.
  4. 4Only one option is correct.

Sample question

Original sample · not from an official test

You hear: "Solar panels produce the most electricity at midday, but households use the most power in the evening. Without a way to store the extra daytime energy, much of it is simply [beep]."

  1. Awasted
  2. Brecycled
  3. Cdoubled
  4. Dpurchased
Show answer

Answer: wasted

The talk sets up a mismatch between supply and demand, and 'without a way to store' points to energy being lost. The other options do not follow from that logic.

Tips that work

  • Follow the argument rather than individual words; the ending must complete the speaker's logic.
  • Pay special attention to the last two sentences, where the missing idea is set up.
  • Glance at the options as early as you can, so you know what kind of ending to listen for.
  • If two options seem possible, choose the one that fits the grammar of the final sentence.

Common mistakes

  • Choosing an option simply because it was mentioned earlier in the recording.
  • Losing focus in the final seconds.

Questions candidates ask

Is the missing part always one word?

No. It can be a single word or a short group of words that ends the recording.

Is there negative marking?

No. Choose one option; a wrong answer scores zero.

How many of these are in the test?

One or two, so each carries weight in a short Listening part.

Other PTE Academic Listening tasks

PTE Academic overviewPTE Academic Listening: all partsPTE Academic full mock testsPTE Academic articles on the blog