Fill in the Blanks

Choose the right word for the context

119 practice questionsPage updated 31 Aug 2026Reviewed by AISEA Editorial DeskPractice questions

Fill in the Blanks questions test whether you can choose a word or phrase that fits both the grammar and the meaning of a sentence. The best option must agree with the surrounding words, express the intended relationship, and sound natural in context. Use the whole sentence as evidence instead of selecting the most familiar word in isolation.

Key formulas and rules

Context fit = grammatical fit + semantic fit + natural word combination.

Best option = supported by context, correct in form and free from an extra assumption.

Signal word + blank: contrast, cause, result, condition or addition often determines the missing connector.

Word-form check: noun, verb, adjective or adverb must match the position of the blank.

Key concepts

Read beyond the blank

Read the complete sentence before looking at the options. The words before the blank may give grammar clues, while the words after it may reveal the intended meaning. In a two-blank question, solve the relationship between the blanks as well as each blank separately.

Grammar and sentence structure

Check subject and verb agreement, tense, articles, prepositions, pronouns and countability. A singular subject needs a singular verb, and a modal such as can or should is followed by the base form of the verb. The surrounding structure often eliminates options before vocabulary is considered.

Meaning and context

Decide what the sentence is trying to say: approval or criticism, increase or decrease, certainty or doubt, cause or result. Contrast words such as although and however point in one direction, while because and therefore signal a cause and its result. Match the option to the sentence's logical relationship.

Word forms and parts of speech

The same root may appear as a noun, verb, adjective or adverb. In 'a ___ decision', an adjective is required; in 'they ___ quickly', a verb is required; in 'worked ___', an adverb may be required. Watch suffixes such as -tion, -ment, -ive, -al and -ly, but confirm the form from the sentence rather than from the suffix alone.

Worked examples

Example 1

The committee decided to _____ the meeting until next week because the chairperson was absent.
A) inspect
B) adjourn
C) compile
D) decorate

Solution

Step 1: The sentence describes moving a meeting to a later time.
Step 2: 'Adjourn' means to suspend or postpone a meeting.
Step 3: Inspect, compile and decorate do not express that action.
Answer: B) adjourn.

Example 2

Because the instructions were _____, the new employees completed the task without help.
A) explicit
B) accidental
C) irrelevant
D) temporary

Solution

Step 1: Completing the task without help suggests that the instructions were clear and specific.
Step 2: 'Explicit' means stated clearly and in detail.
Step 3: Accidental, irrelevant and temporary do not explain successful independent work.
Answer: A) explicit.

Example 3

The researcher was praised for her _____ approach to the investigation.
A) system
B) systematic
C) systematically
D) systematise

Solution

Step 1: The blank comes before the noun 'approach', so an adjective is required.
Step 2: 'Systematic' means organised according to a plan or method.
Step 3: System is a noun, systematically is an adverb and systematise is a verb.
Answer: B) systematic.

Example 4

The road was flooded; _____, the buses were diverted to another route.
A) although
B) therefore
C) unless
D) meanwhile

Solution

Step 1: The first clause gives a cause: the road was flooded.
Step 2: The second clause gives the result: the buses were diverted.
Step 3: 'Therefore' correctly signals a result. Although signals contrast, unless signals a condition and meanwhile signals timing.
Answer: B) therefore.

Example 5

After reviewing the evidence, the panel _____ a decision.
A) made
B) did
C) built
D) grew

Solution

Step 1: The sentence needs a verb that naturally combines with 'a decision'.
Step 2: The standard collocation is 'make a decision'.
Step 3: Did, built and grew do not form the required collocation here.
Answer: A) made.

Example 6

Neither the manager nor the assistants _____ available to answer the question.
A) was
B) is
C) were
D) has

Solution

Step 1: In a neither-nor construction, the verb normally agrees with the nearer subject.
Step 2: The nearer subject is the plural noun 'assistants'.
Step 3: The plural past form 'were' agrees with assistants and with the past context implied by the sentence.
Answer: C) were.

Word choiceCambridge Dictionary · Checked 1 Sep 2026Supports: word forms, register, prepositions and choosing language appropriate to context

CollocationCambridge Dictionary · Checked 1 Sep 2026Supports: fixed and common word combinations used to judge natural sentence completion

English Grammar TodayCambridge Dictionary · Checked 1 Sep 2026Supports: grammar, word classes, prepositions, verbs and common usage patterns

Fill in the Blanks

Key formulas and rules

Key concepts

Read beyond the blank

Grammar and sentence structure

Meaning and context

Word forms and parts of speech

Collocations and fixed usage

Connectors and reference words

Elimination strategy

Worked examples

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Representative solved questions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Common mistakes and useful habits

Sources and review notes

Ready to test your understanding?

Key formulas and rules

Key concepts

Read beyond the blank

Grammar and sentence structure

Meaning and context

Word forms and parts of speech

Collocations and fixed usage

Connectors and reference words

Elimination strategy

Worked examples

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Example 4

Example 5

Example 6

Representative solved questions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Common mistakes and useful habits

Sources and review notes

Ready to test your understanding?

Keep building the same skill family.