What do you need to do?
- You listen to and read a short description of an everyday situation.
- After the one-play audio, you have 10 seconds to plan what you would say.
- You record one extended spoken response lasting up to 40 seconds.
Keep in mindPreparation: 10 seconds. Response: 40 seconds. Scored skills: Speaking.
What should your answer do?
Say what the situation needs, directly to the right person.
How to answer
- Identify your role and listener
Read and listen for who you are, whom you are addressing and your purpose. Match the level of formality to that relationship.
- List the required actions
During preparation, reduce the instructions to keywords such as explain, apologise, request or suggest. Keep any supplied constraints.
- Speak directly to the person
Give the actual response, using I and you where appropriate. State the issue and make the request or proposal clearly.
- Check the response is complete
Include the required details and an appropriate close within 40 seconds. Avoid adding facts that contradict the situation.
Practise each part of Respond to a Situation
Use these focused exercises to work on one part at a time, then bring them together in a complete attempt.
Requests and arrangements
State what you need and suggest a workable next step while respecting the prompt constraints.
Apologies and problems
Acknowledge the issue, explain briefly and offer a practical response.
Formal and informal situations
Adjust greetings, politeness and word choice to the relationship without turning the answer into a memorised speech.
Sample-style situation
Your project partner has missed two planning meetings, and the final presentation is due next week. You see them after class. Explain the problem, ask whether they can still participate, and agree on the next step.
This is an original PrepEx example designed to demonstrate the response format. It is not an official Pearson test item.
Common mistakes to watch for
- Missing one of the instructions in the situation
- Using the wrong level of formality
- Describing what you would say instead of saying it directly
- Inventing dates or details that conflict with the prompt
How to improve your next answer
Plan for 10 seconds and record once. Tick off each instruction against your words. Try the same purpose with a different listener, such as a classmate and a lecturer, to practise register.
- Check each requested action separately rather than judging only how fluent the answer sounds.
- Listen for whether you addressed the person directly and used an appropriate tone.
Change one thing, then try a new question. A better repeat on a familiar prompt is useful rehearsal; a fresh prompt shows whether you can apply the skill.
Review previous attempts to see whether the same issue keeps returning.
What your response is scored on
Content
The response should handle the situation effectively, include all required information and use an appropriate register.
Pronunciation
Speech should be clear and immediately understandable.
Oral fluency
A smooth, naturally phrased response scores better than hesitation, repetition or false starts.
Read the feedback alongside the number and use it to choose your next exercise. A PrepEx score is a practice estimate, not an official PTE score. Only Pearson can issue an official result.
Check the rules before test day
Read the official Pearson task instructions before your test. Follow Pearson's current instructions if the format changes.
Task instructions and timing checked October 15, 2026. The exercises and study suggestions on this page are independent preparation guidance.