In this blog, we will brief about the Retell Lecture Question Type: its format, how to prepare for it, what is the scoring criteria, test-day strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and useful resources to help you.
Understanding the Retell Lecture Task
It is the fourth type of question in a speaking module. In this task, an audio or audio-visual is automatically played for 60 to 90 seconds. Then recording will start after the 10 seconds gap and short beep tone, so speak the summary of what you hear into the microphone immediately when the recording bar color changes. You will have about 40 seconds record your answer.
.png)
It assesses Speaking and Listening skills.
IMPORTANT: The recording will stop if you remain silent for longer than 3 seconds.
Task Format
In the Retell lecture task:
- Prompt Length: 60 to 90 seconds.
- Preparation Time: You will have 10 seconds to prepare before speaking.
- Speaking Time: 40 seconds to record your answer.
- Skills Assessed: Listening and Speaking
- Skills Profile: Open Response Speaking and Writing
- No. of Tasks: 1-2
Scoring Criteria
Retell Lecture score is based on three factors:
Content: It is in the range of 0-5, score depends on how well all the points of the presentation are retold and the different characters, aspects and actions are described. Try to mention all the main keywords and their relations, referring to the development, implications and conclusions.
Pronunciation: it is in the range of 0-5. Score depends on the clarity of the speech, the clarity in vowels and consonants and how well the stress has been words and phrases. Overall, the responses should be understandable and sentence-level stress should be fully appropriate.
Oral fluency: It is in the range of 0-5. Score depends on your rhythm, phrasing and stress which have to be smooth. The rate of speed has to be natural with appropriate phrasing. Repetitions and false start or non-native phonological simplifications will reduce your score.
Retell Lecture carries around 5-9 points out of 90 points in Speaking and Listening. Points will depend on the range of questions comes in the test.
PTE Academic recognizes regional and national varieties of English pronunciation to the degree that they are understandable to most regular speakers of the language.
Tips & Tricks for Retell Lecture
The audio of a lecture automatically starts after 3 seconds. When the recording starts look at the image or visual you have on the screen to have an idea of the topic. Keep your notepad ready with you to make notes while listening to the lecture. You can change the volume using the slider. When the audio or audio-visual finishes, after 10 seconds, the microphone opens and a short tone is heard, indicating to start with the recording, you can notice the recording status box with a bar on the screen moving towards the right-hand side. Once the bar gets highlighted, try to speak exact the summary of what you heard immediately into the microphone after the short tone.
Try to speak clearly and fluently.
Once the bar reaches the end, word “Recording” gets replaced with “Completed”.
The response will be recorded once only, there is no replay in it.
Test tips
Take notes as you listen
- Try to write the main and supporting ideas of the topic.
- Write only the keywords, abbreviations, symbols and arrow to capture the most important ideas.
- Organize the ideas in a way that you can use your notes to speak.
- When the recording stops, you have 10 seconds to plan how to begin the topic and in which order to present the information.
- Keep your notes in front you and include the examples as well as any implications and conclusions.
- Speak clearly and at natural pace in the microphone.
- Try to copy the stress and intonation patterns.
Preparation
- Try to develop your own strategies of note-taking by using the acronyms and symbols.
- Always try to start your response with the topic sentence.
- Your response should have the introductory information, significant data of the lecture and conclusion.
- Find various topics in the form of podcast and lectures and practicing note-taking and speaking the summary of those topics. For instance, BBC Podcasts, Tedtalks.
- Start with the lecture of 30 secs to extend it to 90 secs. Set the timer of 40 seconds while retelling the topic.
Note:
Partial credit is provided in Retell lecture so it is recommended to speak at least for 30 seconds on the topic. There will be no score for no response or an irrelevant response. This question type has an impact on Listening and Speaking module.
Listen to podcasts by the speakers of different English accents, it will make you familiar with the different accents and will help you to memorize the sentences.
Test Day Strategies for Retell Lecture
Preparation Time
Quick Listen: When the lecture or audio clip starts to play, listen to main points in what the speaker is saying and to the overall structure.
Identify Key Points: Write main ideas, supporting details, examples, and any important data in the lecture.
Organize Your Retell: Plan to structure your response beginning with the main idea followed by supporting details and examples.
During the Task
Steady Pace: Maintain an even but moderate pace of speaking. Do not speak too fast or too slow.
Clarity and Accuracy: State clearly in your retelling what are the main points and details of the lecture. Be sure to make it accurate and logically constructed.
Stay Composed: Before start take deep breath. This helps to manage nervousness and enhances performance.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-Detailing: Try not to fall into unnecessary details. Look at the main points and key ideas.
Irregular Pace: Do not talk very fast or too slow. Speak at natural pace, steady throughout.
Ignoring Key Points: Include all main points with important lecture details. If you miss these, your retell will be incomplete.
Getting Stuck: In case you miss one part of the lecture, do not stick to that. Proceed further with the remaining content.
Fast Speech: This mostly leads to mistakes, and sometimes even makes it hard to understand for the audience. Instead, speak clearly and a little bit slowly for better understanding.
Retell Lecture Practice
Now, practice the mock test on ptepanacea.com. You will realize your strengths and weaknesses in the four PTE skills: Speaking, Writing, Reading & Listening. We are here with real exam simulations and question-wise practices especially for Retell Lecture to concentrate on weak areas. If you compare our tests closely, it closely resembles actual PTE content. You get the same format and question types in time limits. Such comprehensive practice will help you to be very well prepared and confident enough to ace the Read Aloud test item and the whole PTE exam.
