PTE Core Respond to a Situation practice

You hear and read an everyday situation. Then you get 20 seconds to plan and 40 seconds to answer.

By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated October 2026

RTSSpeaking, Respond to a Situation

00:40

Listen to and read a description of a situation. Then answer a question about it with an extended response.

You borrowed a book from Sam, a coworker, and you spilled coffee on it. Sam asked for the book back today. What would you say to Sam?

Recorded Answer

Current Status : Recording

00:14

Key facts

Prompt

A situation of up to 60 words, on screen and read aloud

Time to prepare

20 seconds

Time to speak

40 seconds

In a test

2 to 4 situations

Skills scored

Speaking

Scores zero if

A few memorised phrases that don't fit the situation

Questions to practise

109, reported from real PTE Core tests

How it's scored

Pearson marks three things: appropriacy, pronunciation and fluency. Appropriacy means your words and tone fit the situation and the person.

Leap Exam marks the same three, with PTE Core's rules.

Your first Respond to a Situation feedback is free.

Speaking, Respond to a Situation

Question 4 of 10

Graded

10 / 13

Appropriacy: 3 / 3
Pronunciation: 4 / 5
Fluency: 3 / 5

An example grade: a polite, complete answer with a few pauses.

Appropriacy
You say the right things, politely, in a tone that suits the person.
Pronunciation
Clear sounds and stress that are easy to understand.
Fluency
A smooth, steady pace, with few pauses or restarts.

Practise Respond to a Situation

How to answer

Talk to the person, as you would in real life. In 40 seconds you can say four or five sentences.

Use the 20 seconds to decide who you're talking to and what you need to say.
Pick your tone: polite with a manager or a stranger, friendly with a friend.
Greet the person and say why you're talking to them.
Give the details the situation needs, with a reason.
End with a request, an offer or a thank you.
Keep talking until the time ends. Don't stop to fix small mistakes.

Example answer: the coffee on Sam's book

Hi Sam, I've got your book, but I have some bad news. I spilled coffee on it this morning, and a few pages are stained. I'm really sorry. I'd like to buy you a new copy this weekend, or pay you for it if you'd rather. Thanks again for lending it to me.

Common mistakes

The wrong tone
Don't talk to a manager like a friend, or to a friend like a stranger.
A memorised answer
Stock phrases that don't fit the situation score zero.
Stopping early
Pearson says to speak for the whole 40 seconds.
Long pauses and restarts
They use up your time and lower your fluency score.
Describing the situation
Don't retell the prompt. Talk to the person in it.

常见问题

How long do you get for Respond to a Situation?

20 seconds to plan after the recording, then 40 seconds to speak. You can record your answer only once.

How is it scored?

On three things: appropriacy out of 3, pronunciation out of 5 and fluency out of 5. It counts for speaking only.

Is it the same as Respond to a Situation in PTE Academic?

No. In PTE Academic you get 10 seconds to plan, and you're marked on content out of 6. In PTE Core you get 20 seconds, and you're marked on appropriacy out of 3.

Should I be formal or informal?

It depends on the person. Be polite and formal with a manager, a teacher or a stranger. Be friendly with a friend or a neighbour you know.

Can I use a template?

You can learn a few ways to start and finish. But a memorised answer that doesn't fit the situation scores zero, so plan the middle for the situation in front of you.

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