TOEFL Reading · Advanced Exercises
TOEFL Complete the Words: Advanced Exercises
Ready to push beyond the basics? These intermediate-to-advanced C-test passages feature harder academic vocabulary, more complex sentence structures, and topics drawn from science, history, and environmental research.
Developed by TOEFL prep specialists using ETS task-design research and real exam patterns.
3 exercises · Intermediate & advanced difficulty · Answers with explanations
What makes these exercises advanced?
These passages use CEFR B2–C1 level vocabulary from academic domains such as biology, history, and environmental science. The C-test deletion rule is identical to the real TOEFL, but the words are harder to restore due to less common roots and more complex sentence structures.
Who Are These Exercises For?
These exercises are designed for students who have already completed beginner-level practice and can consistently restore 8+ words correctly. If you understand the C-test deletion rule, these passages will challenge you with:
- Academic vocabulary from science, history, and social research
- Longer and more complex sentence structures
- Less common word roots that require stronger morphological awareness
- Time pressure — aim for 3–4 minutes per passage
Advanced Exercises
Restore the missing words
Show answers & explanations
th__
this
Demonstrative — 'this process' refers back to photosynthesis
car_____
carbon
Noun — 'carbon dioxide' is a fixed scientific term
th_
the
Article — 'the atmosphere' is definite
absor_____
absorbed
Past participle — passive voice 'is absorbed'
open_____
openings
Plural noun — tiny openings (stomata) in leaves
lea_____
leaves
Plural noun — plant leaves
resul_____
resulting
Present participle as adjective — 'resulting sugars'
fu__
fuel
Noun — sugars provide fuel (energy source)
a__
and
Conjunction — 'growth and reproduction'
th_
the
Article — 'the organism'
Restore the missing words
Show answers & explanations
Facto_____
Factories
Plural noun — subject of 'replaced'
tradi_____
traditional
Adjective modifying 'workshops'
machi_____
machines
Plural noun — subject of 'increased'
ste__
steam
Noun — 'steam engines' is a compound noun
increa_____
increased
Past tense verb — 'machines increased production'
capa_____
capacity
Noun — 'production capacity' is a common collocation
techno_____
technological
Adjective — 'technological advances'
transfo_____
transformed
Past tense verb — 'advances transformed economies'
Eur_____
Europe
Proper noun — geographic name
Restore the missing words
Show answers & explanations
supp_____
support
Verb — 'They support approximately...'
on_
one
Number — 'one quarter'
al_
all
Determiner — 'all marine species'
desp_____
despite
Preposition — contrast: support many species despite small area
th__
than
Conjunction — 'less than one percent'
o_
of
Preposition — 'percent of the ocean'
flo__
floor
Noun — 'ocean floor'
temper_____
temperatures
Plural noun — 'water temperatures'
acidif_____
acidification
Noun — 'ocean acidification' is a scientific term
Timed TOEFL Complete the Words Practice
Once you have reviewed the exercises above, try this routine to simulate test conditions. For more pacing tactics, see our Complete the Words strategies guide.
Set a timer for 4 minutes.
Read the truncated passage and write down all 10 restored words.
Stop when the timer ends, even if you haven't finished.
Check your answers and note which grammar/context clues you missed.
Repeat with a fresh passage until you consistently score 9–10.
Practice Under Real Test Conditions
Access 60 Complete the Words practice sets with instant AI scoring and detailed feedback on every word.
Unlock 60 Practice SetsPost-Exercise Review Checklist
After each exercise, ask yourself these questions to maximize learning. If you need to brush up on the basics, revisit the Complete the Words format guide or try beginner practice passages first.
Did I read the first sentence for context before attempting blanks?
The intact first sentence is your strongest context clue.
Did I check grammar (tense, plural, word form) for every answer?
Many errors come from choosing the right root but wrong form.
Were there words I didn't know at all?
Add them to a vocabulary list. Academic word roots recur across passages.
Did I finish within 4 minutes?
Speed matters on test day. Identify where you spent too long.
Unlock the Full Complete the Words Exercise Library
Go beyond these 3 samples — access 60 C-test practice sets across beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels with AI-powered scoring.
Unlock 60 Practice SetsFrequently Asked Questions
How are these exercises different from the beginner practice page?
How fast should I complete each passage?
Should I practice with a timer?
What should I do when I encounter unfamiliar vocabulary?
How many exercises should I do before the real test?
Is Complete the Words the same as a C-test on the TOEFL?
How is Complete the Words scored on the actual TOEFL?
Can I use these exercises on mobile?
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Complete the Words Guide
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Speed-solving tactics for test day.
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