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PTE Academic study materials
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PTE Academic practice questions

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Question 1Speaking & Writing

In the PTE Academic 'Read Aloud' task, which delivery habit most directly reduces the score for oral fluency?

  1. Grouping words into meaningful phrases
  2. Pausing frequently between words to decode them Correct answer.
  3. Using natural falling intonation at full stops
  4. Reading at a steady, moderate pace

Explanation

Oral fluency rewards smooth, continuous speech with natural phrasing. Frequent hesitation or word-by-word decoding breaks the flow and is penalised. Steady pacing, phrase grouping and natural intonation all support fluent delivery.

Question 2Speaking & Writing

In 'Repeat Sentence', what is the primary construct being assessed?

  1. Reading speed under time pressure
  2. Vocabulary breadth in formal writing
  3. Listening comprehension combined with oral reproduction Correct answer.
  4. Spelling accuracy in written form

Explanation

Repeat Sentence requires candidates to hear an utterance and reproduce it accurately, so it taps listening comprehension and oral production together. It does not involve reading speed, spelling or written vocabulary.

Question 3Speaking & Writing

Which feature is most important for scoring well in 'Describe Image'?

  1. Reading the chart title aloud repeatedly
  2. Naming every number visible on the chart
  3. Describing personal opinions about the topic
  4. A structured description covering key features with fluent delivery Correct answer.

Explanation

Describe Image rewards organised content that highlights the main features plus fluent, coherent speech. Exhaustive number-reading or repetition wastes time and disrupts fluency, and personal opinion is not the target.

Question 4Speaking & Writing

In 'Re-tell Lecture', which strategy best supports a high content score?

  1. Note key points and logical links while listening, then summarise them Correct answer.
  2. Speak about a related topic you already know
  3. Write a full verbatim transcript of the lecture
  4. Memorise the opening sentence and repeat it

Explanation

Re-tell Lecture scores how well the response captures the lecture's key ideas and their relationships. Selective note-taking of main points and connections supports this. Verbatim transcription is impossible at speed, and substituting prior knowledge misses the source content.

Question 5Speaking & Writing

In 'Answer Short Question', which response type earns credit?

  1. A restatement of the question in your own words
  2. A long explanation of your reasoning
  3. A request to hear the question again
  4. A brief, accurate answer of one or a few words Correct answer.

Explanation

Answer Short Question is scored on whether the short spoken answer is correct. Brief, accurate responses are what the task expects. Long explanations, requests for repetition and restatements do not supply the required answer.

Question 6Speaking & Writing

In the 'Summarise Written Text' task, which response best meets the requirement?

  1. A bulleted list of every detail in the passage
  2. A copy of the passage's first and last sentences
  3. Two paragraphs of personal reaction
  4. One sentence that captures the passage's main idea Correct answer.

Explanation

Summarise Written Text requires a single sentence condensing the passage's central meaning. Lists of details, personal reaction and copied sentences do not function as a one-sentence summary.

Question 7Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses the correct form to express a hypothetical past situation?

  1. If the team would have planned earlier, it had met the deadline.
  2. If the team has planned earlier, it would meet the deadline.
  3. If the team planned earlier, it will have met the deadline.
  4. If the team had planned earlier, it would have met the deadline. Correct answer.

Explanation

Past hypotheticals use the past perfect in the if-clause and 'would have' plus past participle in the main clause. This creates a consistent third-conditional structure. The other options mix tense forms that do not co-occur in this pattern.

Question 8Speaking & Writing

Choose the option that correctly completes the sentence: 'The report, ______ findings were widely cited, was published last year.'

  1. which
  2. that
  3. whose Correct answer.
  4. who's

Explanation

'Whose' is the possessive relative pronoun linking 'report' to its 'findings'. It shows possession within the relative clause. The other forms do not express possession here.

Question 9Speaking & Writing

Which option correctly fills the gap: 'Neither the manager nor the employees ______ informed of the change.'

  1. was
  2. has been
  3. is
  4. were Correct answer.

Explanation

With 'neither...nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject, which is the plural 'employees'. The plural past form 'were' is therefore correct. Singular forms conflict with the nearer plural subject.

Question 10Speaking & Writing

Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

  1. Although the data were incomplete the conclusion, seemed sound.
  2. Although, the data were incomplete the conclusion seemed sound.
  3. Although the data were incomplete, the conclusion seemed sound. Correct answer.
  4. Although the data, were incomplete the conclusion seemed sound.

Explanation

An introductory subordinate clause is followed by a comma before the main clause. That comma placement is what option one shows. The other options place commas inside phrases where they break the sentence structure.

Question 11Speaking & Writing

In academic writing, which sentence avoids a comma splice?

  1. The sample was small, nevertheless the results were consistent.
  2. The sample was small nevertheless, the results were consistent.
  3. The sample was small, the results were consistent.
  4. The sample was small; nevertheless, the results were consistent. Correct answer.

Explanation

A semicolon correctly joins two independent clauses when a conjunctive adverb like 'nevertheless' follows. A comma alone cannot join two independent clauses. The other options rely on commas where a semicolon or full stop is needed.

Question 12Speaking & Writing

Which word best completes the sentence in a formal academic register: 'The researchers ______ that the correlation was coincidental.'

  1. reckoned
  2. contended Correct answer.
  3. guessed
  4. said

Explanation

'Contended' is a formal verb meaning asserted or argued, fitting academic register. The alternatives are informal or imply uncertainty rather than a reasoned claim. Register consistency matters in academic writing.

Question 13Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses the passive voice most appropriately for academic reporting?

  1. Spectroscopy analysed the samples.
  2. The samples were analysed using spectroscopy. Correct answer.
  3. We analysed the samples using spectroscopy.
  4. The samples were analysed by us using spectroscopy.

Explanation

The passive is appropriate when the doer is unimportant or obvious, as in method descriptions. Omitting the redundant agent keeps the focus on the procedure. Adding 'by us' is unnecessary, and the active or reversed forms shift emphasis or distort meaning.

Question 14Speaking & Writing

Which option correctly completes: 'The committee has ______ its decision, and the minutes have been ______ .'

  1. reached / circulate
  2. reach / circulated
  3. reached / circulated Correct answer.
  4. reaching / circulating

Explanation

Both gaps require past participles: 'has reached' forms the present perfect, and 'have been circulated' forms the passive. The parallel participle forms make the sentence grammatical. The other options supply base or -ing forms that do not fit these auxiliaries.

Question 15Speaking & Writing

In 'Fill in the Blanks' (Reading and Writing), which clue most reliably identifies the missing word?

  1. Collocations and grammatical fit within the surrounding sentence Correct answer.
  2. The number of options remaining
  3. The length of the blank space
  4. The position of the blank on the page

Explanation

Correct blanks are identified through collocation, grammar and meaning links with surrounding text. Physical features such as blank length or position carry no linguistic information. The number of remaining options is irrelevant to correctness.

Question 16Speaking & Writing

Which sentence best demonstrates concise academic style?

  1. It is a fact that the results do indicate a strong positive trend.
  2. The results indicate a strong positive trend. Correct answer.
  3. What the results do is indicate a trend that is strong and positive.
  4. The results are indicative of the fact of a strong positive trend.

Explanation

Concise academic style removes redundant words while preserving meaning. Option one states the finding directly. The others add empty phrases, nominalisations or cleft structures that inflate the sentence without adding information.

Question 17Speaking & Writing

Which option correctly joins the ideas: 'The experiment failed. The equipment was faulty.'

  1. The experiment failed, the equipment was faulty.
  2. The experiment failed because the equipment was faulty. Correct answer.
  3. The experiment failed although the equipment was faulty.
  4. The experiment failed because of the equipment was faulty.

Explanation

A causal relationship is expressed with 'because' followed by a full clause. Option one links cause and effect grammatically. The comma splice, the malformed 'because of' clause and the contrastive 'although' all fail to express the intended logic correctly.

Question 18Speaking & Writing

In 'Summarise Spoken Text', which note-taking approach best supports the summary?

  1. Note only the speaker's first and last sentences
  2. Transcribe each sentence in full as it is spoken
  3. Record main ideas and their relationships in abbreviated form Correct answer.
  4. Write down your own views on the topic

Explanation

The summary must reflect the lecture's key ideas and how they connect, so abbreviated notes capturing structure are most useful. Full transcription is not feasible in real time, and personal views are not the target content.

Question 19Speaking & Writing

Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

  1. Having reviewed the data, the conclusion was revised. Correct answer.
  2. The analyst revised the conclusion after reviewing the data.
  3. Having reviewed the data, the analyst revised the conclusion.
  4. After the data were reviewed, the conclusion was revised.

Explanation

A dangling modifier occurs when the introductory participle's implied subject does not match the main clause's subject. In option one, 'the conclusion' cannot logically have reviewed the data. The other sentences attach the modifier to an appropriate subject.

Question 20Speaking & Writing

Which option best corrects the parallelism error: 'The plan aims to reduce costs, improving quality, and to shorten delays.'

  1. The plan aims to reduce costs, to improve quality, and to shorten delays. Correct answer.
  2. The plan aims to reduce costs, improve quality, and to shorten delays.
  3. The plan aims to reduce costs, improving quality, and shortening delays.
  4. The plan aims reducing costs, improving quality, and shortening delays.

Explanation

Items in a list must share the same grammatical form. Using 'to' plus a base verb for all three items creates parallel infinitive phrases. The other options mix infinitives with participles or base forms.

Question 21Speaking & Writing

In 'Describe Image', a candidate reads a list of isolated data points with long pauses. Which score areas are most likely affected?

  1. Only grammar, because numbers lack syntax
  2. Only pronunciation, because the words are familiar
  3. Oral fluency and content, because delivery is broken and key features are not organised Correct answer.
  4. Neither, because all spoken content is scored equally

Explanation

Hesitant delivery lowers oral fluency, while unorganised data listing weakens the content score for key features. Pronunciation and grammar are not the main casualties of this pattern. The task does not score all content equally regardless of structure.

Question 22Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses the correct article to refer to a previously mentioned, specific study?

  1. A study we discussed confirmed the hypothesis.
  2. Study we discussed confirmed the hypothesis.
  3. An study we discussed confirmed the hypothesis.
  4. The study we discussed confirmed the hypothesis. Correct answer.

Explanation

The definite article 'the' refers to a specific, already identified noun. Because the study is defined by the relative clause, 'the' is required. The indefinite article would imply a new, unspecified study, and 'an' cannot precede a consonant sound.

Question 23Speaking & Writing

Which option correctly completes: 'By the time the results are published, the team ______ the analysis.'

  1. completes
  2. will complete
  3. has completed
  4. will have completed Correct answer.

Explanation

'By the time' plus a present-tense clause signals an action finished before a future point, requiring the future perfect. 'Will have completed' expresses that completed-before-future meaning. The other forms do not convey completion relative to a future deadline.

Question 24Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses 'however' correctly?

  1. The results were promising however, the sample size was small.
  2. The results were promising; however, the sample size was small. Correct answer.
  3. The results were promising, however the sample size was small.
  4. The results were promising; however the sample size, was small.

Explanation

'However' as a conjunctive adverb is preceded by a semicolon and followed by a comma when joining independent clauses. Option one follows this pattern. Comma-only joins create splices, and misplaced commas disrupt the clause.

Question 25Speaking & Writing

Which sentence best maintains formal register in an academic summary?

  1. The author is basically saying urban growth makes inequality worse.
  2. The author's point is that inequality gets worse, you know?
  3. The author kinda argues urban growth worsens inequality.
  4. The author argues that urban growth exacerbates inequality. Correct answer.

Explanation

Formal academic register uses precise verbs like 'argues' and 'exacerbates' without colloquial fillers. Option one sustains that register. The others include informal hedges, slang or filler expressions that lower formality.

Question 26Speaking & Writing

In the PTE Academic 'Read Aloud' task, which delivery habit is most likely to lower the Oral Fluency score?

  1. Pronouncing most consonant clusters clearly
  2. Reading at a steady, moderate pace
  3. Pausing briefly at commas and full stops
  4. Frequent long hesitations and restarts mid-sentence Correct answer.

Explanation

Oral Fluency rewards smooth, continuous speech with natural phrasing. Long hesitations and restarts break the rhythm and are penalised. Brief punctuation pauses and a steady pace support fluency.

Question 27Speaking & Writing

Which feature is assessed by the 'Content' criterion in PTE 'Repeat Sentence'?

  1. Whether the candidate finishes before the recording timer ends
  2. Whether the candidate uses rising intonation at the end
  3. Whether the candidate speaks with an accent close to a native model
  4. Whether the candidate reproduces the words of the sentence accurately Correct answer.

Explanation

Content in Repeat Sentence measures how much of the original wording the candidate reproduces correctly. Accent, timing relative to the timer, and intonation are not content measures.

Question 28Speaking & Writing

In 'Describe Image', which opening best establishes a clear structure for the listener?

  1. This bar chart compares three energy sources across four years. Correct answer.
  2. I will now speak about what I see in front of me.
  3. The chart shows several things that are interesting and important.
  4. Numbers, numbers, and more numbers are shown here.

Explanation

A strong description opens by naming the type of visual and its main subject, giving the listener a frame for the details. Vague or content-free openings give no orientation.

Question 29Speaking & Writing

Which option correctly completes the sentence: 'The data ______ collected over six months before the analysis began.'

  1. were Correct answer.
  2. is
  3. was
  4. has

Explanation

In academic English 'data' is conventionally treated as a plural count noun, so it takes a plural verb. The past passive 'were collected' also matches the past time reference.

Question 30Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses the apostrophe correctly?

  1. The study's results was published last year.
  2. The studies's results were published last year.
  3. The studys results were published last year.
  4. The study's results were published last year. Correct answer.

Explanation

A singular noun takes an apostrophe plus s to show possession, giving 'the study's results'. Plural nouns ending in s take the apostrophe after the s.

Question 31Speaking & Writing

Which word best completes the sentence in a formal academic register: 'The survey ______ that most respondents preferred online delivery.'

  1. found Correct answer.
  2. picked up
  3. got
  4. stumbled on

Explanation

'Found' is the neutral, formal verb conventionally used to report research results. The other options are informal or imply accidental discovery.

Question 32Speaking & Writing

In 'Write Essay', which sentence best states a clear thesis for an argumentative essay?

  1. Some people think one thing, while other people think another thing.
  2. Public transport should be free at the point of use because it reduces congestion and improves access. Correct answer.
  3. This essay will discuss many aspects of the topic in detail.
  4. Transport is a topic that has been debated for a very long time.

Explanation

A thesis states a position and signals supporting reasons. The correct option makes a claim and previews two grounds for it.

Question 33Speaking & Writing

Which option correctly completes the sentence: 'She has worked here ______ 2019.'

  1. during
  2. from
  3. for
  4. since Correct answer.

Explanation

With the present perfect, 'since' introduces the starting point of an ongoing period. 'For' would introduce a duration such as 'for five years'.

Question 34Speaking & Writing

Which option best completes the gap: 'The lecturer asked the students to ______ their essays by Friday.'

  1. hand out
  2. hand over
  3. hand down
  4. hand in Correct answer.

Explanation

'Hand in' means to submit work to an authority, which fits submitting essays to a lecturer. The other phrasal verbs carry different meanings.

Question 35Speaking & Writing

Which sentence correctly reports the lecturer's words: Lecturer: 'The deadline has been extended.'

  1. The lecturer said that the deadline was extending.
  2. The lecturer said the deadline has been extended.
  3. The lecturer says that the deadline had extended.
  4. The lecturer said that the deadline had been extended. Correct answer.

Explanation

In reported speech the reporting verb 'said' is past, so the present perfect 'has been extended' normally shifts back to the past perfect 'had been extended'. The passive is retained.

Question 36Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses a defining relative clause correctly?

  1. The students which submitted early received feedback first.
  2. The students whom submitted early received feedback first.
  3. The students, who submitted early received feedback first.
  4. The students who submitted early received feedback first. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Who' is the subject relative pronoun for people, and a defining clause takes no comma before it. The clause identifies which students are meant.

Question 37Speaking & Writing

Which sentence places the adverb in the most natural standard position?

  1. She has always been interested in linguistics. Correct answer.
  2. She has been always interested in linguistics.
  3. She always has been interested in linguistics.
  4. Always she has been interested in linguistics.

Explanation

Frequency adverbs like 'always' normally sit after the first auxiliary and before the main verb, giving 'has always been'. The other placements are marked or ungrammatical.

Question 38Speaking & Writing

Which sentence correctly uses a conditional to describe a general truth?

  1. If water will be heated to 100°C, it boils.
  2. If water was heated to 100°C, it boils.
  3. If water is heated to 100°C, it boils. Correct answer.
  4. If water would be heated to 100°C, it boils.

Explanation

General truths use the zero conditional: present simple in both clauses. Modal or past forms in the if-clause do not fit a timeless scientific fact.

Question 39Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses a gerund as the subject correctly?

  1. To reading widely improves academic vocabulary.
  2. Read widely improves academic vocabulary.
  3. Reading widely improves academic vocabulary. Correct answer.
  4. Widely reading it improves academic vocabulary.

Explanation

A gerund (verb plus -ing) can serve as the subject of a sentence, and 'reading widely' is the subject of 'improves'. Infinitives and bare verbs cannot fill that slot here.

Question 40Speaking & Writing

Which option correctly completes the sentence: 'Not only ______ the results, but the team also published the raw data.'

  1. the researchers did analyse
  2. the researchers analysed
  3. analysed the researchers
  4. did the researchers analyse Correct answer.

Explanation

After a negative fronted phrase such as 'not only', the clause requires subject-auxiliary inversion. An auxiliary 'did' is supplied and the main verb stays in base form.

Question 41Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses 'whereas' correctly?

  1. The first group improved, whereas the second group showed no change. Correct answer.
  2. The first group improved whereas, the second group showed no change.
  3. Whereas, the first group improved the second group showed no change.
  4. Whereas the first group improved, the second group showed no change.

Explanation

'Whereas' is a conjunction that contrasts two clauses and normally joins them with a comma before it. It does not take a comma immediately after it.

Question 42Speaking & Writing

Which sentence maintains formal academic style in a summary?

  1. The author kind of argues that funding is unfair.
  2. The author is basically saying funding is a big problem.
  3. The author argues that funding is distributed inequitably. Correct answer.
  4. The author reckons funding is pretty unfair.

Explanation

Formal academic summaries use precise, neutral vocabulary and avoid vague hedges and colloquialisms. 'Distributed inequitably' is precise and impersonal.

Question 43Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses the semicolon correctly?

  1. The trial ended early; and the results were conclusive.
  2. The trial ended early; because the results were conclusive.
  3. The trial ended early; the results were conclusive. Correct answer.
  4. The trial ended; early the results were conclusive.

Explanation

A semicolon joins two independent clauses that are closely related. Both sides of the correct option are complete clauses.

Question 44Speaking & Writing

Which option best corrects the sentence fragment: 'Because the sample was small.'

  1. Because the sample was small the findings were treated with caution.
  2. Because the sample was small, the findings were treated with caution. Correct answer.
  3. Because the sample was small; the findings were treated with caution.
  4. Because the sample was small, and the findings were treated with caution.

Explanation

A fragment beginning with 'because' becomes complete when attached to a main clause, separated by a comma. The other versions misuse punctuation or conjunctions.

Question 45Speaking & Writing

Which sentence avoids a misplaced modifier?

  1. Walking into the lab, the equipment was checked by the technician.
  2. Walking into the lab, the equipment was there for checking.
  3. Walking into the lab, it was checked by the technician.
  4. Walking into the lab, the technician checked the equipment. Correct answer.

Explanation

An introductory participial phrase must modify the subject of the main clause. Only the correct option makes the technician, who is walking, the subject.

Question 46Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses the subjunctive correctly in formal academic writing?

  1. The board recommended that the policy is reviewed annually.
  2. The board recommended that the policy be reviewed annually. Correct answer.
  3. The board recommended that the policy was reviewed annually.
  4. The board recommended that the policy will be reviewed annually.

Explanation

Verbs of recommendation followed by 'that' take the mandative subjunctive, which uses the base form 'be' regardless of tense. This is standard in formal academic prose.

Question 47Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses 'although' and 'but' in a way that is grammatically standard?

  1. Although the results were promising; but the sample was small.
  2. Although the results were promising, but the sample was small.
  3. Although the results were promising, however the sample was small.
  4. Although the results were promising, the sample was small. Correct answer.

Explanation

'Although' already marks concession, so the main clause follows without 'but' or 'however'. Adding a second contrast marker creates a redundancy error.

Question 48Speaking & Writing

Which sentence uses the colon correctly?

  1. The study revealed three barriers: cost, time, and access. Correct answer.
  2. The study revealed three barriers: which were cost, time, and access.
  3. The study revealed: three barriers of cost, time, and access.
  4. The study revealed three barriers, cost, time, and access.

Explanation

A colon introduces a list or explanation after a complete clause. The clause before the colon must be grammatically complete, which it is in the correct option.

Question 49Speaking & Writing

Which sentence best avoids an ambiguous pronoun reference?

  1. When the researchers met the reviewers, the researchers were pleased with the draft. Correct answer.
  2. When the researchers met them, they were pleased with the draft.
  3. When they met the reviewers, the researchers were pleased with it.
  4. When the researchers met the reviewers, they were pleased with the draft.

Explanation

Repeating the noun instead of a pronoun removes doubt about who was pleased. Ambiguous pronouns leave the reader unsure of the referent.

Question 50Speaking & Writing

In the PTE Academic 'Read Aloud' task, which aspect is primarily assessed?

  1. Oral fluency and pronunciation Correct answer.
  2. Vocabulary range in essays
  3. Grammar in written sentences
  4. Spelling accuracy in writing

Explanation

Read Aloud assesses speaking skills, focusing on oral fluency and pronunciation. It does not directly evaluate writing, spelling, or grammar in written form.