Answer Short Question – Speaking Section

Answer Short Question

In this task, you will listen to a short question and must provide a concise and accurate response immediately after hearing it. This task primarily tests your listening comprehension and speaking skills, focusing on your ability to quickly understand the question and articulate a brief, correct answer.

• In this section test takers complete between 5-6  items in total.

The Answer Short Question task in the PTE Speaking section is designed to assess your understanding of a question and ability to provide a brief, accurate response. It is a simple yet crucial task that tests both your listening and speaking skills.

Here’s how it works:

• You’ll listen to a short question.
• After listening to the question, you should provide a short and concise answer. There’s no need to form a complete sentence – a one to three-word answer is often sufficient.
• You won’t have a lot of time to think after hearing the question. As soon as the question ends, you should begin speaking immediately.

Scoring is based on one factor:

Content: Did you answer the question correctly?

Here are some strategies that might help you perform better in this task:

• Listen Carefully: Pay close attention to the question to understand what is being asked.
• Keep It Short: Keep your answer short and to the point. Usually, a one to three-word answer is sufficient.
• Practice: Improve your comprehension and response time by practicing this task type regularly. You can do this by answering trivia or quiz questions.

Example:

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BONUS Section (NOT Available in your exam)

Question: “What is the chemical symbol for water?” Answer: “H2O”.

Remember, the aim is not to elaborate but to give a straightforward, correct answer to the question. Most questions will require a basic understanding of general knowledge topics, so broadening your general knowledge can help you perform better in this task.

Here are some common questions:

Question	Answer
Which planet is known as the Red Planet?	Mars
What is the capital of France?	Paris
What do we call a baby cow?	Calf
Who wrote Romeo and Juliet?	Shakespeare
What device do we use to look at stars?	Telescope
In which direction does the sun rise?	East
What gas do plants absorb from the atmosphere?	Carbon Dioxide
Which is the largest ocean on Earth?	Pacific
What is the boiling point of water at sea level in degrees Celsius?	100
Who is the first person to walk on the moon?	Neil Armstrong
Who painted the Mona Lisa?	Leonardo da Vinci
Which instrument measures atmospheric pressure?	Barometer
What is the currency of Japan?	Yen
Who discovered gravity?	Isaac Newton
What is the powerhouse of a cell?	Mitochondria
What is the study of weather called?	Meteorology
What is a baby kangaroo called?	Joey
In which organ is insulin produced?	Pancreas
Who wrote ‘War and Peace’?	Leo Tolstoy
What is the tallest mountain in the world?	Mount Everest
What is the capital of Canada?	Ottawa
Who was the 16th President of the United States?	Abraham Lincoln
What is the smallest planet in our solar system?	Mercury
What is the freezing point of water at sea level in degrees Celsius?	0
What do we call a doctor who specializes in treating children?	Pediatrician
Which gas is most prevalent in the earth’s atmosphere?	Nitrogen
What do you call a person who studies plants?	Botanist
Which is the largest mammal?	Blue whale
What are the three primary colors?	Red, blue, yellow
Who developed the theory of relativity?	Albert Einstein

After watching the video on the “Answer Short Question“ section of the PTE, the student will learn: 

1. Listen Carefully: The questions in this section are quite straightforward, so it’s essential to understand what’s being asked. Missing out on any part of the question can lead to incorrect answers.
2. Keep it Short and Simple: The answers to these questions are usually just a word or a short phrase. Avoid giving long, complex answers.
3. Use Correct Pronunciation: Since this is a speaking task, your pronunciation will be assessed. Try to pronounce words as clearly and accurately as you can.
4. Speed and Timing: You only have a few seconds to record your answer, so think fast.
5. Practice: It’s important to practice with as many different types of questions as you can find. This will help you improve your listening comprehension and speed of response.

Remember, the more you practice, the more comfortable you will be during the test.

In conclusion, the “Answer Short Question” task in the PTE exam tests your listening comprehension and spoken language skills. The key to success in this section is to listen attentively to the question, understand what is being asked, and respond quickly and concisely. Keep your answers simple, usually a single word or short phrase is enough. Proper pronunciation is also crucial, as your spoken responses will be assessed. Lastly, practicing with a variety of questions will help enhance your speed, comprehension, and confidence, making you more prepared for the actual exam.

External Resources