PTE Respond to a Situation: Task Introduction
Respond to a Situation
is a speaking task in PTE Academic where you listen to and read a short
real-life scenario (usually on campus or in daily life), then speak your
response as if you were actually in that situation. It tests whether you can
use appropriate language, tone, and register to achieve a practical
communication goal.
Task Overview
|
Feature |
Details |
|
Number of Questions |
2–3
per exam |
|
Preparation Time |
10 seconds after the
audio ends (PTE Academic) |
|
Response Time |
40 seconds |
|
Scoring Traits |
Content
(or Appropriacy), Oral Fluency, Pronunciation; scored by AI and human |
|
Score Contribution |
Approximately
13% of Speaking, 6% of
Overall |
|
Critical Rule |
You
must cover all key points from the
prompt. Missing or changing information (e.g., saying "Saturday"
when the prompt says "before the weekend") is a content error |
No explicit separate preparation
time is listed in some guides—you read and listen, then the
recording begins. Use the moments while the prompt is being read to identify
who you are speaking to and what your goal is.
Useful Tips, Techniques & Strategies
1. Identify the Register First
(Formal vs. Informal)
The most common and damaging error is using the wrong
register—being overly formal with a friend or too casual with a professor.
Before you speak, decide: Who is this person?
A professor, landlord, or manager requires formal language. A classmate,
friend, or neighbor allows informal, relaxed language.
2. Cover Every Point—Do Not
Summarize
This is not
a summarization task. You must respond in first
person ("I...") as if you are in the conversation, and you
must address every detail in the prompt. If the prompt says "you are
willing to do the slides but need the information before the weekend,"
your response must state both: that you agree, and what you need and by when.
3. Open with a Natural Greeting,
Close Politely
Start with "Hi Professor," "Hey everyone," or
"Excuse me" depending on the relationship. End with a brief
closing—"Thanks," "Let me know what you think," or "I
appreciate it." This creates a complete, natural spoken response.
4. Use Contractions and First
Person
This is a spoken
situation. Use "I'll," "we're," "don't," and
"can't" rather than full forms. Speaking naturally with contractions
improves your Oral Fluency score.
5. Do Not Memorize a Script
Pre-memorized answers score very low because they cannot possibly
cover the specific details of the actual prompt. A human scorer reviews
responses and penalizes generic, template-like content.
6. Match Politeness to the
Strength of Your Request
If you have a strong request (e.g., asking a group member to
submit work by a deadline), "Can you..." may be too weak. "I
need you to..." is more appropriate. Over-politeness in a situation
requiring assertiveness is a register error.
Formal vs. Informal Situations: Language in Detail
The key to this task is matching your language to the relationship
and context. Below are
the specific words, phrases, and sentence patterns for each register.
Formal Situations
Who:
Professors, landlords, managers, university staff, officials, strangers in
professional contexts.
Tone: Polite,
respectful, measured, complete sentences. Avoid slang and contractions in
writing, but spoken formal English still uses contractions
for fluency—the difference is in vocabulary and structure.
|
Function |
Words & Phrases |
Example Sentence |
|
Opening |
Good
morning/afternoon, Professor [Name]. Hello, Mr./Ms. [Name]. Excuse me, I
wonder if I could... |
"Good
morning, Professor Chen. Do you have a moment?" |
|
Explaining |
I
am writing/calling regarding... I wanted to inform you that... The reason I
am contacting you is... |
"I
wanted to inform you that I have been unwell and could not complete the
assignment." |
|
Requesting |
I
would like to request... Would it be possible to... I was wondering if you
might consider... |
"Would
it be possible to request a short extension?" |
|
Apologizing |
I
sincerely apologize for... Please accept my apologies for... I regret that... |
"I
sincerely apologize for the late notice." |
|
Closing |
Thank
you for your time. I appreciate your consideration. Please let me know at
your earliest convenience. |
"Thank
you for your time. I appreciate your consideration." |
Strong formal request:
"I need to ask you to..." / "I must request that..." (not
"Would you possibly...")
Informal Situations
Who:
Friends, classmates, roommates, close colleagues, neighbors you know well.
Tone: Relaxed,
friendly, direct, conversational. Contractions, phrasal verbs, and casual
expressions are appropriate.
|
Function |
Words & Phrases |
Example Sentence |
|
Opening |
Hey
[Name], Hi guys, Listen, So... |
"Hey
everyone, thanks for the invite!" |
|
Explaining |
The
thing is... I've got a bit of a problem... So basically... |
"The
thing is, I've already got a family thing that night." |
|
Requesting |
Can
you...? Could you...? Any chance you could...? I need you to... |
"Any
chance you could send me that info by Friday?" |
|
Apologizing |
I'm
really sorry, but... My bad... I feel awful about... |
"I'm
really sorry, but I can't make it." |
|
Closing |
Thanks
a lot! Talk soon. Let me know! Cheers. |
"Thanks
a lot—talk soon!" |
Strong informal request:
"I really need you to..." / "Can you make sure you..." (not
"Would you possibly be able to...")
5 Sample Questions
Sample 1: Formal (University)
Situation:
You are taking a university course and have a major assignment due soon. You
have been unwell recently and could not complete the work on time. You approach
your professor to explain and ask for a short extension. What do you say?
Sample Answer:
Good morning, Professor. Do you have a quick minute? I wanted to
talk to you about the assignment due on Friday. I've been quite unwell this
past week and honestly couldn't get much done. I've made a start, but it's not
at the standard I'd want to submit. I was wondering if it might be possible to
get a short extension—maybe just a few extra days. I'm happy to show you a
doctor's note if that helps. Thank you so much, I'd really appreciate it.
Sample 2: Informal (Social)
Situation:
A classmate you are friendly with invites you to their birthday dinner this
Saturday. You already have a family commitment that evening and cannot attend.
You do not want to hurt their feelings. What do you say?
Sample Answer:
Hey, thanks so much for the invite—I really appreciate you
thinking of me. I'd love to celebrate with you, but I've already got a family
thing this Saturday that I can't get out of. I'm really sorry to miss it. Could
we maybe grab lunch or coffee next week so I can give you your gift properly? I
hope you have an amazing dinner!
Sample 3: Formal
(Service/Professional)
Situation:
You are at a busy restaurant and the server brings you the wrong order. The
server looks stressed. You want to resolve the issue politely without making
the situation worse. What do you say?
Sample Answer:
Excuse me, sorry to bother you—I think there might have been a
small mix-up with my order. I actually ordered the pasta, but this looks like
the salad. I can see it's really busy right now, so no rush at all. If it's
easy to swap, that would be great, but if it's going to cause trouble, I'm
happy to just keep this. Thanks for your help.
Sample 4: Informal (Group Project)
Situation:
You are doing a group project for a class. The other members have asked you to
prepare the slides for the presentation. You are willing to do the slides but
need them to give you all the information to include before the weekend. What
would you say to them?
Sample Answer:
Hi everyone! I'm happy to create the slides for this presentation
we're giving. To be successful though, I'll need you to each send me all the
information and content you've gathered before this coming weekend so I'll have
enough time to complete the slides. Please send the information to my email by end
of day Friday—does that work for everyone?
Sample 5: Formal
(Landlord/Service)
Situation:
You rent an apartment. There has been a leak in the bathroom for two weeks. You
sent one email and received no response. The issue needs immediate attention.
Leave a voicemail for your landlord.
Sample Answer:
Hello, this is [Name] from apartment 4B. I'm calling to follow up
on my email from two weeks ago regarding the bathroom leak. I haven't received
a response yet, and the problem is getting worse—water damage is now showing on
the wall near the shower. I would appreciate it if someone could come and check
it as soon as possible. I'm available most weekdays after 4 p.m. Please call me
back to let me know when someone can come. Thank you.
Reminder:
The 40-second response should be complete but not rushed.
A natural response of 30–40 words covering all key points in 4–6 sentences is
sufficient. Do not try to fill every second—a clear, well-structured answer
that addresses the prompt scores higher than a rambling one.
Sample Set 6: Formal — Asking for a
Reference Letter
Situation: You are applying for a graduate internship
and need a reference letter from a professor who taught you last semester. You
did well in the course but have not spoken to the professor since the semester
ended. What do you say?
Register: Formal (professor, professional request)
Sample Answer:
Good afternoon, Professor Martin. I hope
you're well. My name is [Name], and I was a student in your Introduction to
Statistics course last semester—I sat near the front and really enjoyed your
lectures. I'm currently applying for a graduate internship at a research
institute, and they've asked for an academic reference. I was wondering whether
you would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for me. I've attached
my CV and the internship description to an email, and I'd be happy to provide
any other information you need. Thank you very much for your time.
Sample Set 7: Informal — Borrowing
Lecture Notes
Situation: You missed a lecture because you were at a
doctor's appointment. You want to ask a classmate you sit next to if you can
borrow their notes from that day. What do you say?
Register: Informal (classmate, friendly request)
Sample Answer:
Hey, quick favour—I missed Monday's lecture
because I had a doctor's appointment, and I heard you were taking pretty
detailed notes. Any chance I could borrow them for a day or two? I'll take
photos and give them straight back, and I can send you my notes from last
week's tutorial in return if that's useful. Let me know—thanks a lot!
Sample Set 8: Formal — Reporting a
Lost Item
Situation: You left your laptop bag on a bus. You go to
the bus company's customer service desk to report it and ask whether it has
been handed in. What do you say?
Register: Formal (service staff, official report)
Sample Answer:
Good morning. I'm hoping you can help me—I
left my laptop bag on the number 42 bus yesterday evening, around six o'clock,
somewhere between the university stop and the city centre. It's a black
backpack with a blue tag on the handle. I'm calling to ask whether it has been
handed in to lost property, or whether you could check with the depot. I can
provide a description of the contents if that helps. Thank you for your
assistance.
Sample Set 9: Informal — Changing
Group Meeting Time
Situation: Your study group has arranged to meet at 5
p.m. to work on a presentation, but you now have a work shift at that time. You
want to suggest moving the meeting to 7 p.m. instead. What do you say?
Register: Informal (peers, casual negotiation)
Sample Answer:
Hey guys, sorry to do this at short
notice—I've just been called in for a work shift at five, so I can't make our
meeting time. Would anyone mind if we pushed it back to seven instead? I know
it's later, so totally understand if that doesn't work for some of you—maybe we
could do a quick call at seven and then meet properly tomorrow. Let me know
what you think!
Sample Set 10: Formal — Requesting a
Fee Refund
Situation: You paid for a weekend workshop, but the
organisers cancelled it two days before it was due to take place. You want to
contact them to request a full refund. What do you say?
Register: Formal (organisation, transactional request)
Sample Answer:
Hello, I'm contacting you regarding the
weekend photography workshop scheduled for the 14th, which I understand has
been cancelled. I paid the full registration fee of $150 when I booked. Given
that the cancellation came from your side at short notice, I would like to
request a full refund to my original payment method. I've attached my booking
confirmation and receipt. Could you please confirm when I can expect the refund
to be processed? Thank you.
Sample Set 11: Informal — Apologising
to a Roommate
Situation: You borrowed your roommate's headphones
without asking and accidentally broke them. You want to apologise, explain what
happened, and offer to replace them. What do you say?
Register: Informal (roommate, personal apology)
Sample Answer:
Hey, I need to tell you something and I feel
really bad about it. I borrowed your headphones yesterday without asking—I was
rushing out and mine were dead—and I'm afraid they got broken in my bag. The
cable's split and one side doesn't work now. I've already ordered you a
replacement pair, they should arrive Thursday, and obviously I'm not going to
use your stuff without asking again. I'm really sorry.
Sample Set 12: Formal — Disputing an
Electricity Bill
Situation: You received an electricity bill that is far
higher than usual. You believe it is an error. You call the utility company to
dispute the charge and request a review. What do you say?
Register: Formal (company, dispute)
Sample Answer:
Hello, I'm calling about my latest electricity
bill, which is more than double my usual amount. I live alone in a small flat
and my usage hasn't changed, so I'm concerned there may be a meter reading
error. I'd like to request a review of the account and, if possible, a meter
re-read. Could you also explain what period this charge covers? I'm happy to
provide my account number and recent bills for comparison. Thank you for your
help.
Sample Set 13: Informal — Declining Extra
Work from a Colleague
Situation: A colleague you get along with asks you to
take over one of their shifts this weekend. You already have plans and
genuinely cannot help this time. You want to decline without damaging the
relationship. What do you say?
Register: Informal (colleague, friendly refusal)
Sample Answer:
Hey, thanks for thinking of me, but I'm going
to have to say no this time—I've already got plans this weekend that I can't
move. I know that's not much help. If it's still an issue next week, ask me
again and I'll see what I can do—I just can't do this weekend, sorry!
Sample Set 14: Formal — Asking a Tutor
for Feedback
Situation: You submitted an essay and received a grade
but no written comments. You want to ask your tutor whether you can discuss the
essay to understand where you lost marks. What do you say?
Register: Formal (tutor, academic request)
Sample Answer:
Good morning, Dr. Patel. I received my grade
for the essay on urbanisation last week, and while I'm pleased with the mark, I
noticed there were no written comments attached. I was wondering whether it
might be possible to arrange a short meeting to go through the feedback, as I'd
like to understand where I could improve for the next assignment. I'm free on
Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. Thank you very much.
Sample Set 15: Informal — Inviting a
Friend to a Study Session
Situation: You are organising a study session at the
library before an exam. You want to invite a friend from another class who is
also taking the same exam. What do you say?
Register: Informal (friend, invitation)
Sample Answer:
Hey! A few of us are meeting at the library on
Saturday morning to go over the material for the economics exam—nothing too
intense, just working through past papers together. You should come! We're
starting around ten and grabbing coffee after. Let me know if you're in and
I'll save you a seat.
Sample Set 16: Formal — Requesting an
Accessibility Accommodation
Situation: You have a medical condition that makes
sitting through long exams difficult. You want to ask the university's
disability services office about arranging extra time and a rest break. What do
you say?
Register: Formal (university office, sensitive
request)
Sample Answer:
Hello, I'm hoping to speak with someone about
exam accommodations. I have a medical condition that can make long exam
sessions difficult, and I'd like to ask about the process for arranging extra
time and a short rest break. I have supporting documentation from my
specialist. Could you let me know what forms I need to complete and what the
deadlines are? I'd appreciate any guidance you can offer.
Sample Set 17: Informal — Returning a
Faulty Product
Situation: You bought a kettle from a local shop two
weeks ago and it has stopped working. You go back to the shop to ask for a
replacement. What do you say?
Register: Informal (retail staff, everyday complaint)
Sample Answer:
Hi, I bought this kettle here about two weeks
ago and it's already stopped heating up—I've tried different sockets and it
just won't boil. I've got the receipt here. Is it possible to swap it for a new
one, or get a refund? I'm not too fussed which, I just need a working kettle!
Sample Set 18: Formal — Informing a
Manager About a Scheduling Conflict
Situation: You are doing a part-time job. Your manager
has scheduled you for a shift that clashes with a compulsory university exam.
You need to explain the conflict and ask for the shift to be changed. What do
you say?
Register: Formal (manager, workplace request)
Sample Answer:
Hello, Mr. Hayes. I'm calling about my shift
on Thursday the 12th. I've just received my university exam timetable and I
have a compulsory exam that afternoon, which unfortunately clashes with the
shift. I wanted to let you know as early as possible and ask whether it might
be possible to swap the shift or arrange cover. I'm happy to take on an extra
shift the following week to make up for it. I apologise for the inconvenience.
Sample Set 19: Informal —
Congratulating a Classmate
Situation: A classmate you know well has just won a
university writing prize. You see them in the corridor and want to congratulate
them and ask about their winning piece. What do you say?
Register: Informal (classmate, friendly conversation)
Sample Answer:
Hey! I just heard about the writing
prize—congratulations, that's brilliant! I didn't even know you'd entered. What
was the piece about? I'd love to read it if you're happy to share. Seriously,
well done—you must be really pleased.
Sample Set 20: Formal — Asking About a
Course Change
Situation: You are enrolled in a course but want to
switch to a different elective before the enrolment deadline. You go to the
student administration office to ask about the process. What do you say?
Register: Formal (administration office, procedural
request)
Sample Answer:
Good afternoon. I'd like to ask about changing
one of my elective courses before the enrolment deadline. I'm currently
enrolled in Introduction to Marketing, but I'd like to switch to Business
Ethics if there are still places available. Could you explain the procedure and
whether there are any forms I need to complete or approvals required? I'd also
like to confirm the deadline for changes. Thank you.
Register Quick Reference
|
Feature |
Formal |
Informal |
|
Opening |
Good
morning/afternoon, Professor/Dr./Mr./Ms. |
Hey,
Hi, Listen |
|
Requesting |
I
was wondering whether you would be willing to… / Would it be possible to… |
Any
chance I could…? / Could you…? |
|
Explaining |
I
am contacting you regarding… / The reason I am calling is… |
The
thing is… / So basically… |
|
Apologising |
I
sincerely apologise for… / Please accept my apologies for… |
I'm
really sorry, but… / I feel bad about… |
|
Closing |
Thank
you for your time / I appreciate your assistance |
Thanks
a lot! / Let me know! |
Reminder: In every response, you must cover all
points in the prompt, speak in first person, and match your register to the
relationship. A 40-second response of roughly 60–90 words is sufficient if it
is complete and natural—do not ramble to fill the time.
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