PTE Speaking guide
PTE Answer Short Question: Format, Scoring and Tips
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PTE Academic & PTE Core
Answer Short Question plays a short spoken question that needs a one-word or few-word answer — a general-knowledge or everyday question. It is quick, but there are several in the test.
How the task works
- Audio
- A question of about 3–9 seconds, sometimes with an image
- Response
- About 10 seconds to answer — one word or a few words
- Scored on
- Whether your answer is correct and appropriate (right or wrong)
- Counts for
- Listening on PTE Academic; Listening and Speaking on PTE Core
Strategies that help
- Answer with just the word or short phrase — “a thermometer”, not a full explanation.
- Answer as soon as you know; the recording only lasts a few seconds.
- Listen for the question word (what, which, how many) — it tells you what kind of answer is needed.
- If unsure, give your best single answer rather than saying several options.
Common mistakes
- Giving a long sentence and running out of time.
- Saying two different answers; only one is expected.
- Waiting silently while thinking — the recording can stop.
Example
Question: “What instrument do we use to measure temperature?” Answer: “A thermometer.”
One clear answer, said straight away.
Related guides
More on this skill: PTE Speaking practice · All question type guides
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