PTE Academic · Task guide 23 · 4 min read
PTE Select Missing Word: format, scoring and tips
PTE Academic Select Missing Word explained: the recording stops before the last words; choose the ending. Scoring and a routine.
What you see and do
You hear a short recording. At the end, the last word or group of words is replaced by a beep. On screen there are several options, usually three to five. You choose the one that best completes the recording.
There is no transcript. The screen usually shows a short description of the recording's topic before the audio begins.
You hear the recording once only.
Timing
| Stage | About how long |
|---|---|
| Read the topic and options before the audio | about 7 seconds |
| Audio | about 20–70 seconds |
| Answer | within the shared Listening timer |
How it is scored
Select Missing Word counts towards Listening.
It is scored correct or incorrect: one mark for the right option, zero otherwise. There is no negative marking, so always choose an answer.
How to predict the ending
The missing words almost always complete the speaker's main line of argument. These signals help you predict it:
| Signal | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| The topic line on screen | The general subject the ending must fit |
| Contrast words ("however", "but", "yet") | The ending may go against what came before |
| Cause and result ("so", "therefore", "as a result") | The ending is a consequence |
| Repeated key words | The ending often returns to the central idea |
| The final few words before the beep | Grammar: the ending must follow them naturally |
Common mistakes
- Not reading the options before the audio. You lose valuable seconds of thinking time.
- Choosing an option that fits the grammar but not the argument. Several endings may be grammatical; only one is logical.
- Losing concentration near the end. The final ten seconds carry most of the clues.
- Over-thinking. Your first prediction, based on the speaker's direction, is usually right.
A short routine
- Before the audio, read the topic and skim the options.
- While listening, follow the speaker's direction: what is being argued, and where is it heading?
- Pay close attention to the last sentence before the beep.
- Predict the ending in your own words.
- Choose the option closest to your prediction, and move on.
Exam tip: many recordings build towards a conclusion through a list or a sequence. If the speaker says "first… then… after that…", the missing words often name the final stage.
Illustrative example
This recording was written for Fable Tests. It is not taken from any official material.
Topic shown on screen: Learning a musical instrument
What you hear:
Many adults believe it is too late for them to learn a musical instrument. Research with older learners suggests otherwise. Adults often progress quickly at the start, because they understand how to practice and can follow written explanations easily. What they may lack is time, so the key to success for adult beginners is short but (beep).
Options:
| Option | Comment |
|---|---|
| A. expensive lessons with a famous teacher | Not linked to the problem of time |
| B. regular practice sessions | Correct: "short but regular" answers the problem of lacking time |
| C. a natural talent for music | Contradicts the point that adults can learn |
| D. a long break from playing | Contradicts the idea of making progress |
The phrase "short but…" tells you the answer must pair naturally with "short", and the argument about time points to regular practice.
Key points
- The recording ends with a beep in place of the final words; you choose the best ending.
- You hear the recording once.
- It counts towards Listening.
- Correct or incorrect, with no negative marking.
- Follow the speaker's direction and the last sentence to predict the ending.
For the official current format, see pearsonpte.com. More guides are on the PTE hub.