PTE Respond to a Situation
Read and hear an everyday situation, then speak directly to the people in it for up to 40 seconds.
This speaking task was added to PTE Academic in 2025. You are given a situation, for example a problem with a classmate, a neighbour or a booking, and you respond as if you were really there. What matters is covering every point and choosing the right tone for the person you are speaking to.
How the Task Works
Read, listen, prepare briefly, then speak to the person, not about them.
?The Task at a Glance
- Prompt A short situation that you read and hear. You can take notes.
- Preparation A short time to plan your answer.
- Response Up to 40 seconds of speaking.
- Task Speak directly to the people involved, in the first person, and cover every key point without changing the facts.
- Judged on Whether you achieve the goal of the situation, and whether your tone and politeness fit the person and context.
Do's and Don'ts
Based on Pearson's own advice for this task.
| Area | Do | Don't |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | Greet the person: "Hi Jake," / "Excuse me," | Start by describing the situation |
| Voice | Speak in the first person: "I booked this room" | Talk about yourself as "the student" |
| Content | Cover every key point, with the facts unchanged | Add suggestions nobody asked for |
| Judgement | Simply make your request | Discuss whether the request is fair |
| Style | Use natural spoken English and contractions: I'm, it's, we'd | Copy the prompt's wording or use memorised templates |
| Tone | Be firm when the situation needs it | Be so polite that your request disappears |
Choosing the Right Tone
The same request sounds different to a professor, a classmate and a stranger.
| Who you speak to | Tone | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Professor, manager | Polite and respectful | I'm really sorry, but I'm afraid I won't be able to… |
| Classmate, colleague | Friendly but clear | Hi Jake, I need to talk to you about our presentation. |
| Stranger, neighbour | Polite, then direct | Excuse me, sorry to bother you, but could you…? |
| Someone who let you down | Calm and firm | I really need it by tomorrow evening at the latest. |
Practice: Four Situations
Press "Start". The situation is read aloud, then you get 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak.
Sources: Pearson: PTE changes 2025 · Pearson: tips for the new speaking questions (PDF)
Speak to the person, not about the situation.
Greet them, make every point, and match your tone to who they are. Forty seconds is enough when every sentence has a job.
Greet. Explain. Ask. Close.
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