In this blog, we will brief about the Respond to a Situation Question Type: its format, how to prepare, what is the scoring criteria, test-day strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and useful resources to help you.

Understanding the Respond to a Situation Task

It is the fourth type of question in a PTE Core: Speaking module. In this task, an audio of the given situation is automatically played. Then recording will start after 20 seconds gap and after short beep tone, you have to record your answer by responding to the given situation. You are provided 40 seconds to record your answer.
This question type assesses your Speaking in PTE Core.

IMPORTANT:  If you remain silent for longer than 3 seconds, the recording will stop.

Task Format

In the Respond to A Situation:

• Prompt Length: Text up to 60 words.
• Preparation Time: You will have 20 seconds to prepare before speaking.
• Speaking Time: 40 seconds to record your answer.
• Skills Assessed: Speaking
• Skills Profile: Extended Speaking
   

Scoring Pattern of Respond to A Situation

Respond to A Situation score is based on three factors:

Appropriacy: It is in the range of 0-3, score depends on how well all the points of the situation are addressed. How relevant the information has been depending on the situation. Try to mention all the main points in relation to the given statement, show the development in the situation and lead to further conclusion.

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.

Tips & Tricks for Respond to A Situation

The audio of the given statement automatically starts and after that 20 seconds are provided to get ready with the given situation. In those 20 seconds, jot down the main points you will be required to discuss. The language to be used will depend on the situation which decides whether to use formal language or the informal one. You get 40 seconds to talk on the situation, try to cover all the main points without fumbling and hesitating otherwise you may lose the score points.

• 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 prepare for the given situation in 20 seconds time period.
• Try to write the main and supporting ideas of the topic.
• Write only the keywords, abbreviations, symbols and arrow to get ready with the most important ideas.
• Organize the ideas in a way that you can use your notes to speak.
• You have 20 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 relevant information with any implications and conclusions.
• Be clear and loud and at normal pace in the microphone.
• Try to stress the important keywords and apply intonation patterns.

Preparation

Try to practice various formal or informal situations such as the issue with the tent, friend, neighbor or a passerby or any official situation based on different events.

Always try to start your response with the topic sentence.

Your response should have the introductory information, significant data of the situation and conclusion.

Set the timer of 40 seconds while responding the topic.

Note

Partial credit is provided in Respond to a Situation it is recommended to speak at least for 30-35 seconds on the topic. There will be no score for no response or an irrelevant response. This question type has an impact on only Speaking module.

Click here for Free PTE Mock Test & Question Wise Practices