PTE Academic – Listening Section (Total time: 30–43 minutes)

PTE Academic – Listening Section (Total time: 30–43 minutes)

Task Type	No. of Questions	Skills Tested
Summarize Spoken Text	1–2	Listening + Writing
Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers	1–2	Listening + Reasoning
Fill in the Blanks	2–3	Listening + Spelling
Highlight Correct Summary	1–2	Main idea
Multiple Choice, Single Answer	1–2	Detail
Select Missing Word	1–2	Prediction
Highlight Incorrect Words	2–3	Listening accuracy
Write from Dictation	3–4	Listening + Writing

PTE Academic – Listening Section

Total Time: 30–43 minutes
Very high scoring section (directly affects Listening + Writing + Reading)

Summarize Spoken Text (SST)

No. of questions: 1–2
Time: 10 minutes each
Word limit: 50–70 words

Task

Listen to a lecture and write a one-paragraph summary.

Skills Tested

• Listening comprehension
• Paraphrasing
• Grammar & coherence

Useful Tips

✔ Write 1–2 complex sentences
✔ Include main idea + 2 key points
✔ Avoid examples & numbers
✔ Use linking words (overall, moreover, therefore)

Sample Audio Topic (Academic Style)

The speaker discusses how urbanization affects environmental sustainability, emphasizing increased pollution, resource consumption, and the need for long-term planning.

✍ Sample Answer (60 words)

The lecture explains that rapid urbanization has a significant impact on environmental sustainability. It increases pollution levels and places pressure on natural resources. The speaker emphasizes that without proper long-term planning and sustainable policies, cities may face serious environmental challenges in the future.

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2 Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers (MCMA)

No. of questions: 1–2
Scoring: Partial credit (+1 / −1)

Task

Select ALL correct answers.

Useful Tips

✔ Read options before listening
✔ Select only when sure
✔ Usually 2 answers correct

Sample Question

Which TWO factors influenced the study’s results?

Options:
A. Sample size
B. Weather conditions
C. Research funding
D. Participant motivation
E. Government policy

✅ Correct Answers: A, D

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3 Fill in the Blanks

No. of questions: 2–3
Scoring: Medium–High

Task

Type missing words while listening.

Useful Tips

✔ Focus on spelling
✔ Don’t panic if you miss one word
✔ Context helps recover missed words

Sample

Technological innovation has significantly improved healthcare ___ and patient outcomes.

✅ Answer: efficiency

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4 Highlight Correct Summary

No. of questions: 1–2

Task

Choose the summary that best matches the audio.

Useful Tips

✔ Eliminate summaries with extra information
✔ Focus on overall meaning, not keywords

Sample Audio Topic

Effects of climate change on agriculture

Correct Summary

Climate change affects agricultural productivity by altering rainfall patterns and increasing extreme weather events, which threaten global food security.

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5 Multiple Choice, Single Answer (MCSA)

No. of questions: 1–2
Score Weight: Low

Useful Tips

✔ Listen for specific detail
✔ Don’t overthink
✔ Guess if unsure (no negative marking)

Sample Question

What is the speaker’s main concern?

A. Rising education costs
B. Declining student motivation
C. Lack of technological resources
D. Teacher workload

Answer: B

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6 Select Missing Word

No. of questions: 1–2

Task

Predict the last word/phrase.

Useful Tips

✔ Listen for tone & logic
✔ Final word often summarizes or contrasts

Sample

The speaker concludes that without innovation, economic growth will likely ______.

Options: decline | expand | stabilize | recover

Answer: decline

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7 Highlight Incorrect Words

No. of questions: 2–3
Score Weight: Very High

Task

Click words that differ from the audio.

Useful Tips

✔ Follow audio carefully
✔ Click only when 100% sure
✔ 1–4 incorrect words usually

Sample

Text:

The results indicate a significant increase in efficiency.

Audio says: slight

✅ Click: significant

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8 Write from Dictation (MOST IMPORTANT)

No. of questions: 3–4
Score Weight: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Highest in PTE)

Task

Listen to a sentence and type it exactly.

Useful Tips

✔ Focus on content words first
✔ Grammar & spelling = marks
✔ Even partial sentences get marks

Sample Dictation

Digital literacy is essential for success in modern workplaces.