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PTE Core · Speaking · SW4

PTE Core Speaking: Respond to a Situation

Respond to a Situation gives you an everyday or workplace scenario as on-screen text and as audio. After the audio, you have 20 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak as if you were really in that situation. It tests whether your reply is relevant, polite and suited to the listener.

Items per test
2–4
Prompt
Written text plus the same scenario as audio
Preparation
20 seconds after the audio
Speaking time
40 seconds
Silence rule
Recording stops after 3 seconds of silence

How it works

  1. 1The scenario appears on screen and is read out once.
  2. 2A 20-second preparation timer starts when the audio finishes.
  3. 3Speak directly to the person in the scenario for up to 40 seconds.
  4. 4Cover what the situation asks for, such as an apology, request or suggestion.

Sample task

Original sample · not from an official test

You borrowed a colleague's laptop charger last week and have lost it. Your colleague asks for it back. Explain what happened and suggest what you will do.

Show a strong response

Outline: "I'm really sorry, Sam. I think I left your charger in the meeting room on Thursday, and it wasn't there when I checked this morning. I've asked reception to look in lost property. If it doesn't turn up by tomorrow, I'll buy you a replacement, and you're welcome to use mine until then."

The reply speaks to the colleague directly, apologises, explains briefly and offers two concrete solutions. The tone is friendly but responsible, which suits a workplace relationship.

Tips that work

  • Decide in the first few seconds who you are talking to; the register for a manager differs from a neighbour.
  • Answer every part of the prompt. If it says explain and suggest, do both, in that order.
  • Speak to the person, not about them: "I'm sorry, I…" rather than "I would tell my colleague that…".
  • Keep one detail in reserve, such as a time or next step, to fill the last ten seconds naturally.

Common mistakes

  • Describing the situation back instead of responding to it.
  • Using a formal, stiff tone with a friend or a very casual tone with a customer.

Questions candidates ask

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

The idea is similar, but PTE Core gives 20 seconds of preparation after the audio and uses everyday and workplace scenarios.

Can I read the prompt while I prepare?

Yes. The scenario stays on screen as text as well as being played as audio.

Is there one correct answer?

No. Any reply that is relevant, complete and appropriate for the listener can do well, so focus on the task and tone.

Other PTE Core Speaking tasks

PTE Core overviewPTE Core Speaking: all partsPTE Core full mock testsPTE Core articles on the blog