Tips to deal with P1: Answer Short Question

Part 1: Answer Short Question is one of the seven (07) question types in Part 1: Speaking & Writing, which contributes to Speaking and Listening skills. None of the PTE item types is easy, and this question type is no exception. However, the good news is, everything can be improved through repetitive practice and a conscious intention to advance your English skills.

PTE takers should know that Answer Short Question is available in both the PTE Academic and PTE Core. If you are ready, let’s explore how the upcoming tips are your saver in the face of this challenge. 

Fundamental information

• Task: Answer only one or a few words after listening to a question
• Prompt length: 3-9 seconds for both PTE Academic and PTE Core
• Timer: 10 seconds to answer each question
• Frequency: 5-6 questions
• Skills assessed: Listening, Speaking

Unique tips and tricks

This question type is in the Correct or Incorrect category and if you answer it correctly, you will get scores. Otherwise, you will lose scores. To find out how this and other item types are scored, review this article: PTE grading elements and how questions are scored.

There are some natures about this item type that we need to comprehend in advance before exploring our tips effectively.

• It happens very fast: The audio automatically plays in 3 seconds when the question appears. Then, PTE takers have 10 seconds to answer, but please remember that after the tone sounds “beep”, PTE takers need to answer in 3 seconds or the recording will stop and you will score.
• It requires a wide range of knowledge: With a super limited time, and we don’t know what the question is about, so equipping ourselves with a wide range of knowledge is the best choice to deal with this item type. Please view the PTE Academic or PTE Core as an opportunity to transform yourself, so put effort into study and practice. 
• There is no time to think: In the blink of an eye, the audio finishes and we do not have time to even think about the answer. In other words, you need to answer promptly to not lose scores.

And here are some unique tips and tricks for your preparation.

• Improve vocabulary: When we face a question with a very limited time to answer, our vocabulary bank solves the problem most of the time. Just imagine that if you listen to a question but you do not what is it asking about, how could you answer? 
• Read a wide range of topics: Reading various topics helps PTE takers gain more knowledge and widen their vocabulary bank as well. With limited knowledge and vocabulary, it’s impossible to aim for a high score. PTE takers can check this strategy to improve their Reading skills.
• Advance your pronunciation: This item type judges test taker’s Speaking and Listening skills, so pronunciation cannot be ignored. There are cases that even students know the answer but they cannot speak it out due to their bad pronunciation. We have this guide to advance your both American and British pronunciation, make sure that you devote your time to studying properly.
• Listen to English content every day: This is one direct way to boost your Listening skills. PTE takers need to listen to the audio question first and then speak the answer, therefore, this practice is truly crucial in enhancing students’ ability to listen to English questions. You can check this strategy to practice your Listening skills more effectively.
• Answer even if you don’t know the answer: If you answer the question incorrectly, you will lose scores. If you don’t answer, of course, you will lose scores as well. So why don’t we give it a try?

On the PTE Practice Website, we have several free Part 1: Answer Short Questions for your practice, let’s visit it and apply our tips to see the differences. Here is our sample answer, Question number 1, Part 1: Answer Short Question. We strongly recommend you visit the PTE Practice Website and give it a try first.

Things to avoid

• Pause for more than 3 seconds: After hearing the tone “beep”, speak your answer in three (03) seconds or you will lose scores. But when you speak, you should pause a maximum of two (02) seconds, otherwise, the result will be saved and you miss your chance to complete the answer.
• Give a long answer: The task asks PTE takers crystal clear that they need to give only one or a few words, so we definitely don’t need to give a long answer. Whether you give one word or a long answer, the score will be the same. For example, if we have this question “How do you call the money that you get monthly from the company you are working for?”. Salary or The money that we get from our company monthly is salary is the same. As a result, students should not give a long answer.

Live-Interactive PTE Practice Website

Part 1: Answer Short Question alone has hundreds of practice questions, and thousands of practice questions for all item types similar to the certified questions are available on the PTE Practice Website – TADE Hub. We offer the best simulation of the PTE Academic and PTE to help you prepare for the test. All question types have instantly detailed feedback right after you submit your practice answers, especially Speaking and Writing questions we provide feedback based on the same grading elements as what Pearson uses to assess your skills. For example, if you practice Part 3: Summarize Spoken Text, you will get the following feedback.

We evaluate your practice answers based on Content, Form, Grammar (Spelling), and Vocabulary. This kind of feedback helps PTE takers understand how good their answers are. If there are any mistakes, students are able to learn from their mistakes and avoid them in the next try.

Regarding Part 1: Answer Short Question, here is your feedback. We show the question transcription, your audio recording and transcription of it as well. A friendly reminder, please only answer with one or a few words to minimise the probability of giving a wrong answer. In our sample question, we answered it incorrectly, so we have zero scores, and it is how your answers are graded when you take the actual PTE Academic or PTE Core as well.

It’s time to advance your scores. DO NOT WAIT, visit the PTE Practice Website, create your FREE account and start boosting it today.