PTE Academic · Task guide 8 · 3 min read
PTE Answer Short Question: format, scoring and tips
PTE Academic Answer Short Question explained: a quick spoken question, a one- or few-word answer, scoring and a simple routine.
What you see and do
You hear a short question, sometimes with an image on screen. You answer with a single word or a few words. The questions test everyday general knowledge and vocabulary, not specialist facts: what a common object is called, what a simple word means, or a basic piece of information shown in a picture.
You hear the question once only.
Timing
| Stage | About how long |
|---|---|
| Question audio | about 3–9 seconds |
| Preparation | none: recording opens shortly after the audio |
| Response | about 10 seconds |
As with all speaking items, the microphone closes after about three seconds of silence, so answer promptly.
How it is scored
Answer Short Question counts towards Listening and Speaking.
It is scored on vocabulary: the answer is either correct or incorrect. One appropriate word or short phrase earns the mark. There is no extra credit for a full sentence, and no partial credit for a near miss.
Common mistakes
- Answering in a long sentence. It wastes time and can introduce errors. A single word is enough.
- Missing the key word in the question. Words such as "opposite", "before", "how many" or "which part" change the answer completely.
- Hesitating. If you are not sure, give your best guess at once. Silence scores nothing.
- Unclear pronunciation of the answer word. Say it clearly and at a normal volume.
A short routine
- Listen for the question word: what, where, who, how many, which.
- Listen for the key idea: the object, place or relationship being asked about.
- Answer immediately with one word or a short phrase.
- Click "Next" once you have answered. You do not need to wait for the timer.
Exam tip: build vocabulary by topic. Short questions often draw on everyday areas such as the body, the home, time, weather, money, transport, shapes and numbers, and basic study vocabulary like "syllabus", "lecturer" and "thesis".
Illustrative examples
These questions were written for Fable Tests. They are not taken from any official material.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What do we call the person who checks tickets on a train? | (A) conductor / (a) ticket inspector |
| If today is Thursday, what day was it yesterday? | Wednesday |
| Which instrument do people use to see objects that are very far away, such as planets? | (A) telescope |
| What is the opposite of "ancient"? | Modern |
| How many sides does a triangle have? | Three |
Notice how short the answers are. "A telescope" and "telescope" are both acceptable. "I think the answer is a telescope" is not wrong, but it uses time and gains nothing.
Practice ideas
- Write simple "what do we call…" questions about objects around your home and answer them aloud.
- Learn opposites and synonyms for common adjectives.
- Practice with a timer so that you answer within two or three seconds of the question ending.
Key points
- You hear a short question once and answer within about 10 seconds.
- It counts towards Listening and Speaking.
- It is marked correct or incorrect on vocabulary.
- One word or a short phrase is all you need.
- Answer immediately: a quick guess beats silence.
For the official current format, see pearsonpte.com. More guides are on the PTE hub.