Two filters
Every blank must fit grammatically and make sense. Check grammar first; it often removes two options straight away. Then use the meaning of the whole sentence to choose between the rest.
Signal words
The sentence usually tells you whether the missing word agrees with or contrasts with the rest.
Signal | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
although, but, however, despite | contrast | "Although the task was ___, she finished it quickly." → difficult |
because, since, so, therefore | cause or result | "He was ___, so he apologised." → wrong / mistaken |
and, also, moreover | continuation (same direction) | "The plan was simple and ___." → effective |
not only … but also | adds a stronger point |
Collocations
Some words naturally go together. Native-sounding answers usually respect these pairs:
make a decision, a mistake, progress
take a break, a chance, part
heavy rain, strong coffee, deep sleep
pay attention, raise a question
Prepositions
Phrase | Preposition |
|---|---|
good at, interested in, afraid of | |
depend on, agree with a person, agree to a plan | |
on time (punctual), in time (early enough) | |
different from, similar to |
Tense agreement
Look at time words: "yesterday" needs the past; "by next year" needs the future perfect; "since" usually needs the present perfect.
Shortcuts and tricks
The standard way is to try each option in the blank and reread the sentence. The faster way is to predict the blank before looking at the options.
Predict from the signal word
Example: "The plan looked simple on paper, but in practice it proved ______."
Standard way: read the sentence four times, once with each option, and pick the one that sounds right.
Shortcut: "but" flips the meaning of "simple", so you need a word meaning difficult. Scan the options for it: "complicated".
Fix grammar before meaning
Example: "By the time the guests arrived, we ______ dinner."
Standard way: weigh the meaning of each option.
Shortcut: "By the time" + a past event needs the past perfect, so only "had cooked" or a similar had + participle form can fit.
Known pairs
Collocations and fixed prepositions (make a decision, heavy rain, depend on, good at) are recall, not reasoning. If you know the pair, answer at once and move on.
Exam tips
Read the whole sentence before looking at options.
Predict the kind of word that fits (positive, negative, a verb in the past).
Substitute the remaining options and read the sentence aloud in your head.