PTE Retell Lecture task
Quick Reference Card
- Number of
Questions:
2–3 tasks
- Audio
Length:
Up to 90 seconds
- Preparation
Time:
10 seconds
- Time to
Answer:
40 seconds
- Skills
Scored:
Listening & Speaking
📝 Test Format & Structure
You will hear a
short academic lecture (often accompanied by an image). You must take notes on
an erasable notepad. Once the audio finishes, you have 10 seconds to prepare.
When the microphone opens, you have 40 seconds to retell the lecture in your
own words.
While most
sources state 2–3 questions, some indicate 1–2 or up to 3–4, but official
Pearson guidelines confirm 2–3 is the current standard.
🎯 Scoring & Skills Assessed
Retell Lecture is
scored on a scale of 0–5 for three key traits:
- Content
(0–5):
Did you cover the main topic, key points, and supporting details? You must
use your own words—memorized templates or irrelevant information will
lower your score.
- Oral Fluency
(0–5):
Does your speech flow smoothly without unnatural pauses or hesitation?
- Pronunciation
(0–5):
Are your vowels and consonants clear and understandable?
Note: Responses
are scored by both AI and human experts to ensure fairness. Retell Lecture
contributes about 6% to your overall score and 13% to both Speaking and
Listening.
🧩 How to Use Templates (Important
Warning)
Templates can be
helpful to organize your thoughts, but there is a major caveat: Pearson forbids
pre-memorized templates. Human examiners specifically check for responses that
sound generic or not based on the actual lecture.
The safest
approach is to use flexible sentence starters (not fill-in-the-blank templates)
to organize the keywords you heard, ensuring your response is unique to the
lecture.
✅ Flexible Framework (Based on Official
Example)
Here is a
recommended structure based on a sample answer provided by Pearson:
- Opening: “The talk
was about [Main Topic].”
- Key Point 1: “The
speaker mentioned that [First Key Idea].”
- Key Point 2: “It was
noted that [Second Key Idea/Detail].”
- Action/Process: “Then, the
process involves [Action/Development].”
- Conclusion: “At the
end, the speaker concluded that [Final Outcome/Opinion].”
❌ What to Avoid
Poor answers rely
on vague language or repeat the prompt without substance.
Example
of weak response:
“The lecture gives important information about chefs. The speaker mentioned
recipes. In conclusion, the speaker gave key information.”
Sample Audio & Answer (Based on Official
Source)
Audio Transcript Summary:
Chefs
often work in a highly structured environment when developing new recipes. But
have you ever wondered how a simple dish in a cookbook is actually created?
In professional kitchens, chefs use what is known as a test
kitchen, which functions very much like a scientific laboratory. Why would
cooking need to resemble a laboratory process? The reason is simple: precision
and consistency.
In this environment, do chefs just cook freely and creatively? Not
exactly. Instead, they record every single step with great accuracy. What
ingredients are used? How much of each ingredient is added? At what exact time
and temperature is each step carried out? All of these details are carefully
documented.
But what happens after a recipe is fully developed and seems
perfect? Is it immediately published or shared with the public? The answer is
no. First, the recipe is given to another person for testing.
Interestingly, is this tester
always a professional chef? Surprisingly, no. The recipe is usually trialed by
a competent cook rather than a trained chef. Why might that be the case?
Because the goal is to ensure that an ordinary skilled cook can follow the instructions
and still achieve the same result.
This cook then prepares the dish
exactly according to the written instructions and provides feedback. Are the
instructions clear enough? Are the steps easy to follow? Does the final dish
match the chef’s expectations?
Based on this feedback, further
adjustments may be made to improve clarity and accuracy.
However, do chefs actually enjoy
working in this highly controlled way? Many do not. They often dislike this
process because it removes the element of spontaneity and creativity that is
usually associated with cooking.
So, what is the main conflict
here? It is the tension between cooking as a creative art and cooking as a
precise, scientific process.
High-Scoring Sample Answer (Target: Content,
Fluency, Pronunciation)
“The talk was about a scientific process of
making new recipes, specifically for chefs making cookery books.
They said attention to detail is really
important and that chefs normally use a test kitchen where every single step is
recorded. Everything needs to be carefully and precisely measured out as they
go through these steps.
Once they’ve checked everything, the recipe is
trialled by someone else. Normally a competent cook, not necessarily a chef,
gives feedback on the instructions.
The speaker concluded that chefs said they
don’t like creating recipes like this because it is not spontaneous.”
💡 Pro Tips for a High Score
- Take Notes
Efficiently:
Write nouns, verbs, and numbers (e.g., “lab kitchen,” “record steps,”
“trialled by cook”). Don’t write articles like “a” or “the.”
- Focus on
Keywords:
You do not need to summarize everything. Aim for 5–8 key phrases from the
lecture.
- Time
Management:
A response of 25–35 seconds is sufficient. Speaking for the full 40
seconds risks rushing or including silences.
- Paraphrase: Change the
speaker’s words. If they said “chefs use a test kitchen,” you say “chefs
rely on a specialized kitchen lab.”
PTE Retell Lecture practice set 5
🎧 Audio Script 1: Renewable Energy Storage
Audio Length: ~65 seconds
One of the
biggest challenges facing renewable energy is storage. Solar and wind power are
intermittent—the sun doesn't always shine, and the wind doesn't always blow.
Currently, lithium-ion batteries are the most common solution, but they have
limitations. They are expensive to produce at scale, and mining lithium damages
the environment. An alternative being developed is pumped hydro storage. This
involves using excess renewable energy to pump water uphill into a reservoir.
When energy is needed, the water is released downhill through turbines,
generating electricity. Pumped hydro is cost-effective and can store energy for
months, but it requires specific geography—hills and water sources—which not
all regions have.
✅ Sample Answer
"The talk
was about the challenges of storing renewable energy from sources like solar
and wind power.
The speaker
mentioned that lithium-ion batteries are currently the most common solution,
but they are expensive to produce and lithium mining damages the environment.
It was noted
that an alternative method is pumped hydro storage. This involves using excess
energy to pump water uphill into a reservoir and then releasing it through
turbines to generate electricity.
The speaker
concluded that pumped hydro is cost-effective and can store energy for long
periods, but it requires specific geographical conditions such as hills and
water sources, so it is not suitable for all regions."
🎧 Audio Script 2: The Marshmallow
Experiment
Audio Length: ~70 seconds
In the 1960s,
psychologist Walter Mischel conducted a famous study called the Marshmallow
Experiment. Young children were offered a choice: eat one marshmallow
immediately, or wait 15 minutes and receive two marshmallows. Researchers then
tracked these children into adulthood. The results showed that children who
delayed gratification had better academic performance, higher SAT scores, and
lower body mass index in later life. However, recent replications of the study
have questioned these conclusions. Modern researchers argue that a child's
ability to wait depends heavily on their environment—specifically, whether
adults in their life consistently keep promises. If a child grows up with
unreliable caregivers, waiting for a second marshmallow seems irrational.
✅ Sample Answer
"The talk
was about a famous psychology study called the Marshmallow Experiment conducted
in the 1960s.
The speaker
mentioned that children were given a choice between eating one marshmallow
immediately or waiting 15 minutes to receive two marshmallows.
It was noted
that children who delayed gratification were later found to have better
academic performance, higher SAT scores, and lower body mass index in adulthood.
Then, recent
research questioned these findings, arguing that a child’s ability to wait
depends on whether adults in their life consistently keep promises.
The speaker
concluded that if a child grows up with unreliable caregivers, waiting for a
second marshmallow may seem irrational."
🎧 Audio Script 3: Biomimicry in
Architecture
Audio Length: ~75 seconds
Biomimicry is
an approach to design that learns from nature's patterns and strategies. In
architecture, one famous example is the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe.
This building has no conventional air conditioning, yet it stays cool. Its
design was inspired by termite mounds. Termites need to keep their fungus
gardens at a precise temperature of 87 degrees Fahrenheit, but outside
temperatures in Africa range from freezing nights to over 100 degrees during
the day. Termites achieve this by constantly opening and closing ventilation
holes throughout the mound. The Eastgate Centre mimics this system with passive
cooling: warm air rises and exits through chimneys, while cool air is drawn in
from outside at night. As a result, the building uses 90% less energy for
ventilation than conventional buildings of its size.
✅ Sample Answer
"The talk
was about biomimicry in architecture, which involves learning from nature’s
patterns and systems.
The speaker
mentioned the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe as an example. This building
has no conventional air conditioning but remains cool using a design inspired
by termite mounds.
It was noted
that termites regulate temperature in their mounds by opening and closing
ventilation holes to maintain a stable internal environment.
Then, the
Eastgate Centre replicates this system through passive cooling, where warm air
rises and exits through chimneys while cool air enters at night.
The speaker
concluded that this design reduces energy use for ventilation by about 90%
compared to conventional buildings."
🎧 Audio Script 4: The Dunning-Kruger
Effect
Audio Length: ~68 seconds
The
Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias where people with low ability at a
task overestimate their competence. This was first demonstrated by
psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger at Cornell University in 1999. In
their study, participants who scored in the lowest percentile on tests of logic
and grammar rated their own performance as above average. The reason is that
incompetent individuals lack the very skills needed to evaluate their own
incompetence. They don't know what they don't know. Conversely, highly skilled
individuals tend to underestimate their abilities because they assume tasks
that are easy for them are also easy for others. Interestingly, training in a
specific skill can help people recognize their true competence level, reducing
both overconfidence in novices and self-doubt in experts.
✅ Sample Answer
"The talk
was about a psychological concept known as the Dunning-Kruger effect.
The speaker
mentioned that this is a cognitive bias where people with low ability
overestimate their competence. It was first studied by psychologists Dunning
and Kruger at Cornell University in 1999.
It was noted
that people with low skills often fail to recognize their own incompetence
because they lack the ability to evaluate themselves accurately.
Then, it was
explained that highly skilled individuals often underestimate their abilities
because they assume tasks are easy for everyone.
The speaker
concluded that training can help individuals better understand their true skill
level, reducing overconfidence in beginners and self-doubt in experts."
🎧 Audio Script 5: Circular Economy vs
Linear Economy
Audio Length: ~80 seconds
Most industries
today operate on a linear economy model: take, make, dispose. Raw materials are
extracted, turned into products, and eventually thrown away as waste. This
model is unsustainable because resources are finite and landfill space is
limited. The alternative is the circular economy. In a circular economy, waste
is designed out of the system. Products are made to be repaired, reused, or
recycled. For example, a smartphone in a circular system would have modular
components that consumers can replace individually, rather than discarding the
whole device when one part fails. Another principle is using biological
materials that can safely return to the environment, like compostable
packaging. Major companies including IKEA and Philips have begun adopting
circular principles. However, transitioning requires redesigning supply chains
and business models, which is expensive and slow.
✅ Sample Answer
"The talk
was about the difference between the linear economy and the circular economy.
The speaker
mentioned that most industries operate on a linear model: take, make, and
dispose, which is unsustainable because natural resources are limited.
It was noted
that the circular economy is an alternative where waste is minimized and
products are designed to be reused, repaired, or recycled.
Then, an
example was given of smartphones with modular components that can be replaced
individually instead of discarding the whole device.
The speaker
concluded that although companies like IKEA and Philips are adopting circular
principles, the transition is expensive and requires major changes in supply
chains and business models."
Question 6: The
Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon
Audio Length: ~72 seconds
Have you ever
learned a new word and then suddenly started seeing it everywhere? That
experience has a name: the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also known as frequency
illusion. It occurs through two mental processes working together. First,
selective attention: once you learn something new, your brain unconsciously looks
for it in your environment. Second, confirmation bias: when you spot that thing
once, you then expect to see it again, so you notice every subsequent
occurrence. Importantly, the thing you learned hasn't actually become more
common in the world. Your brain has just become more sensitive to it. This
phenomenon is particularly strong for things that are distinctive or
emotionally interesting to you. Marketers and advertisers sometimes exploit
this by making sure you encounter their brand name multiple times in different
contexts soon after you first hear about them.
📝 Sample Notes (what to write during lecture)
Baader-Meinhof
= frequency illusion
2 processes:
1.
selective
attention – brain looks for new thing
2.
confirmation bias
– after 1st sight, expect more
Thing NOT more common – brain more sensitive
Strong for distinctive/emotional things
Marketers exploit – repeat brand in diff contexts
🎤 Model Answer (40 seconds)
"The talk
was about a psychological phenomenon called the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also
known as frequency illusion.
The speaker
mentioned that this occurs when you learn something new, such as a word, and
then suddenly start noticing it everywhere.
It was noted
that two mental processes are involved. First, selective attention, where the
brain unconsciously looks for the new thing. Second, confirmation bias, where
after seeing it once, you expect to see it again and notice it repeatedly.
Then, it was
explained that the thing has not actually become more common; instead, your
brain has become more sensitive to it.
The speaker
concluded that marketers often use this effect by exposing people to brand
names multiple times in different contexts."
🎧 Question 7: The Paradox of Choice
Audio Length: ~78 seconds
Psychologist
Barry Schwartz famously argued that having too many choices can actually
decrease our well-being. This is called the paradox of choice. In one study,
shoppers at a grocery store were offered a tasting booth with either 6
varieties of jam or 24 varieties. The booth with 24 varieties attracted more
visitors, but people who saw the larger display were only one-tenth as likely
to actually buy jam compared to those who saw only 6 varieties. Schwartz
identifies several reasons for this. First, more options create higher
expectations—you think you can find the perfect one. Second, after choosing,
you experience regret and wonder if another option would have been better.
Finally, the sheer mental effort of comparing many options leads to decision
paralysis. Schwartz advises limiting yourself to considering no more than three
or four options for important decisions, and then choosing confidently without
looking back.
📝 Sample Notes (what to write during lecture)
Paradox of
choice – too many choices = less well-being
Study: jam tasting
24 varieties – more visitors, 1/10 purchase rate
6 varieties – more purchases
Reasons:
- more options = higher expectations
- regret after choosing
- decision paralysis (too many comparisons)
Advice: limit to 3–4 options, choose confidently
🎤 Model Answer (40 seconds)
"The talk
was about the paradox of choice, which suggests that having too many options
can reduce well-being.
The speaker
mentioned a study involving jam tasting at a grocery store. A booth with 24
varieties attracted more visitors, but people were only one-tenth as likely to
purchase compared to those who saw 6 varieties.
It was noted
that several reasons explain this. More options lead to higher expectations,
people feel regret after making a choice, and comparing many options causes
decision paralysis.
Then, the
psychologist Barry Schwartz advises limiting choices to three or four options
for important decisions.
The speaker
concluded that people should choose confidently without second-guessing their
decision."
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