Read and Complete
Master this DET question type by learning context clues, word patterns, and roots. 25 interactive practice items.
Question Format
You see a sentence with one or more missing letters in a word. You must figure out the complete word based on context clues.
Example:
"She is st_dying hard for her exams."
Answer: studying (st + u + dying)
These questions test your ability to recognize English words even when partially hidden. The key is understanding context and word structures.
6 Key Strategies
Use Context Clues
Read the full sentence to understand what word makes sense
Example: If the sentence is about food quality, look for adjectives like "delicious," "excellent," "fresh"
Recognize Word Patterns
Common English words follow predictable patterns (suffixes, prefixes)
Example: Words ending in -tion, -sion, -ment, -ness are usually nouns
Think of Root Words
Break the word into parts. Prefixes (un-, re-, dis-) and suffixes (ed, ing, ly) help identify the base word
Example: "un" + "happy" = "unhappy"; "walk" + "ing" = "walking"
Know Grammar Roles
Is the word a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb? This limits your options
Example: If the sentence is "_____ beautiful," it needs an adverb modifier. If "The ____ is beautiful," it needs a noun.
Phonetic Spelling
Sometimes the missing letters create phonetic hints
Example: "s_ence" sounds like "science." "bu_iness" sounds like "business."
Practice Common Words
DET uses common English words. Knowing the 1000 most frequent words helps
Example: Work, important, beautiful, studied, environment, professional are frequently tested
Common Word Patterns
Continuous or progressive action
Examples: running, studying, walking
Past tense or completed action
Examples: created, participated, visited
Noun form of an action
Examples: education, participation, decision
Noun form showing result or state
Examples: agreement, development, environment
Quality or state of being
Examples: happiness, darkness, fitness
Full of or having quality
Examples: beautiful, wonderful, successful
Without or lacking
Examples: helpless, homeless, fearless
Quality or state (often nouns)
Examples: quality, ability, university
Capable of or worthy of
Examples: comfortable, possible, responsible
Having quality or characterized by
Examples: creative, productive, persuasive
25 Practice Items
Click each card to reveal the answer and see the word pattern explained.
Question 1
+The weather is bea_tiful today.
Question 2
+She is st_dying hard for her exams.
Question 3
+The restaurant serves exc_llent Italian food.
Question 4
+He works as an arc_itect in New York.
Question 5
+The library has thous_nds of books.
Question 6
+I felt nervous before the int_rview.
Question 7
+The env_ronment needs protection from pollution.
Question 8
+She felt acc_mplished after finishing her project.
Question 9
+The train dep_rted from the station on time.
Question 10
+His speech was very pers_asive and powerful.
Question 11
+The artist cr_ated a beautiful masterpiece.
Question 12
+She chose to p_rticipate in the volunteer program.
Question 13
+The doc_ment was signed by both parties.
Question 14
+Their rel_tionship has improved significantly.
Question 15
+The compan_s policy requires all employees to attend training.
Question 16
+She ap_lied for the position last month.
Question 17
+The tech_ology sector is growing rapidly.
Question 18
+She ach_eved her goals through hard work.
Question 19
+The sch_larship helped him pay for university.
Question 20
+He bel_ves in the importance of education.
Question 21
+The bus was congr_gated with passengers.
Question 22
+Her prof_ssion requires excellent communication skills.
Question 23
+The restaurant offers exc_ptional service to all customers.
Question 24
+She made a signif_cant contribution to the project.
Question 25
+The univers_ty offers many degree programs.