PTERead the text and answer the multiple-choice question by selecting the correct response. More than one response is correct.

It's Friday the 13th. "You've gotta ask a question: 'Do I feel lucky?'" If you don't, you could be from triskaidekaphobia. That's a fear of the number 13. Napoleon, Herbert Hoover and FDR are well-documented triskaidekaphobics. But why do folks think 13 is unlucky? when it falls on a Friday, as it will three times this year? The University of Delaware's Thomas Fernsler is known as Dr. 13. He's an expert on the number's bad reputation, which may date back to biblical times. After all, the 13th guest at the Last Supper was Judas. And you know how that worked out for Jesus, who was crucified on a Friday. Other factoids from Fernsler: The first person to die in a car accident was killed in New York City on September the 13th in 1899, that was a . And the ill-fated flight of Apollo 13 at the 13th minute of the 13th hour Central Standard Time on April 11th, 1970. And the numerals in the date 4/11/70 add up to 13! As long as you don't include the 19 in 1970. Hey, sometimes superstition can be hard work. Today, some tall buildings lack a 13th floor. Well, they have a 13th floor, but they call it the 14th floor. Because the purveyors of bad luck are apparently easily fooled. Meanwhile, over in France, panicky Parisian party-throwers can even hire a quatorziéme, a professional 14th guest. Like Judas, Mark Twain was allegedly once poised to be the 13th guest at a dinner party. A superstitious friend warned the very rational Twain not to go. But Twain went. "It was bad luck," he later remarked. "They only had food for 12."

PTE#42 - Friday the 13th

Question 42 of

Post your answer:

Comments and Answers

Loading...

    PTE Fill In The Blanks (select)

    PTE Premium Template

    Ooh, you've stumbled upon Premium content!
    Just for Premium Users! Click here to Sign Up!

    PTE Fill In The Blanks (select) Scoring Criteria

    Number of items: 5-6

    Communicative skills scored: Reading and writing

    • 1 Each correctly completed blank

    • 0 Minimum score


    PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading): Efficiently Navigate This Reading Task

    The PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading) task is a component of the PTE Academic reading section. While not the most crucial part of the test, understanding how to approach it efficiently can help optimize your overall performance.

    Understanding the PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading) Task

    In this task, you'll see a text with several blanks. You need to select the correct word from a drop-down list to complete each blank. This tests your reading comprehension, vocabulary, and understanding of context.

    Key Features of PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading):

    • Text passages of 80 words or more
    • Multiple blanks per passage
    • Drop-down list of options for each blank
    • Tests reading and vocabulary skills
    • Various academic topics covered

    Strategies for Efficient Completion of PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading)

    While this task is not crucial for your overall score, approaching it efficiently can save time for more important sections. Here are some strategies:

    1. Quickly scan the entire passage for context
    2. Don't spend too much time on any single blank
    3. If you know the answer, fill it in quickly
    4. If unsure, make your best guess and move on
    5. Prioritize speed over perfection in this task

    Important Note on Time Management

    Don't spend too much time on this task. If you know the answer, fill it in and move on. If you're unsure, make your best guess and proceed to the next question. Remember, this task is not crucial to your overall score, so it's better to save time for more important sections of the test.

    Essential Tips for PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading)

    NEVER leave any blanks unfilled. ALWAYS make an educated guess if unsure. Remember, there's no penalty for incorrect answers, so it's better to choose an option than to leave it blank.

    Common Challenges in PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading)

    Be aware of these common challenges, but don't let them slow you down:

    • Time management
    • Unfamiliar vocabulary
    • Distinguishing between similar word choices
    • Understanding complex sentence structures
    • Maintaining focus throughout longer passages

    How to Practice PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading) Effectively

    While this task is not crucial, some practice can help you approach it more efficiently:

    1. Practice quick reading and context understanding
    2. Improve your vocabulary through regular reading
    3. Practice with sample questions to get familiar with the format
    4. Time yourself during practice to improve speed

    Scoring for PTE Fill in the Blanks (Reading)

    Understanding the scoring can help you prioritize your efforts:

    • Each correct answer receives one point
    • Incorrect answers receive zero points (no negative marking)
    • This task contributes less significantly to your overall score compared to other sections

    Conclusion: Efficiently Handling Fill in the Blanks (Reading) in PTE

    While the Fill in the Blanks (Reading) task is part of the PTE reading test, it's not crucial to your overall score. Focus on quick completion rather than perfection. Remember, don't spend too much time on this task. If you know the answer, fill it in quickly. If you're unsure, make your best guess and move on. Prioritizing more important sections of the test is key to maximizing your overall PTE score.