PTE Short Answer Questions

PTE Short Answer Questions – Introduction

In the PTE Academic Listening section, Short Answer Questions require you to listen to a short audio recording (usually a question or a statement) and then type a brief answer — typically one to three words. You will hear the recording only once.

Key points:

·         The audio asks a simple question (e.g., "What is the capital of Australia?").

·         You type your answer in the box provided.

·         Answers are usually 1–3 words; do not write full sentences.

·         Spelling matters — incorrect spelling is marked wrong.

·         You have 10 seconds to answer after the audio finishes (in most versions).

·         This task tests listening comprehension and quick recall.

Tips:

·         Read the question on screen before the audio plays (if shown).

·         Focus on keywords in the audio.

·         Keep answers short and direct.

·         Do not include articles (a/an/the) unless necessary.

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Practice Questions (4 options each — no answers provided)

1. According to the recording, what is the main cause of soil erosion?

·         A) Deforestation

·         B) Heavy rainfall

·         C) Overgrazing

·         D) Urban development

2. What does the speaker say is the primary benefit of regular exercise?

·         A) Improved sleep quality

·         B) Weight loss

·         C) Better cardiovascular health

·         D) Increased muscle strength

3. In the lecture, which country has the highest recycling rate?

·         A) Germany

·         B) Sweden

·         C) Japan

·         D) Switzerland

4. What is the most common source of renewable energy mentioned?

·         A) Solar power

·         B) Wind energy

·         C) Hydropower

·         D) Biomass

5. According to the audio, what year was the World Wide Web invented?

·         A) 1985

·         B) 1989

·         C) 1991

·         D) 1993

6. What does the speaker identify as the biggest threat to marine life?

·         A) Plastic pollution

·         B) Overfishing

·         C) Climate change

·         D) Oil spills

7. In the recording, what is the recommended daily intake of water?

·         A) 1 liter

·         B) 1.5 liters

·         C) 2 liters

·         D) 3 liters

8. According to the passage, which vitamin is produced when skin is exposed to sunlight?

·         A) Vitamin A

·         B) Vitamin B12

·         C) Vitamin C

·         D) Vitamin D

9. What does the speaker say is the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions?

·         A) Using public transport

·         B) Switching to renewable energy

·         C) Eating less meat

·         D) Recycling waste

10. In the audio, what is the capital city of Canada?

·         A) Toronto

·         B) Vancouver

·         C) Ottawa

·         D) Montreal

PTE Short Answer Questions – Answers with Short Reasons

1. According to the recording, what is the main cause of soil erosion?

Answer: A) Deforestation

Reason: Deforestation removes tree roots that hold the soil together, making it more vulnerable to erosion.

2. What does the speaker say is the primary benefit of regular exercise?

Answer: C) Better cardiovascular health

Reason: Regular exercise strengthens the heart and improves blood circulation.

3. In the lecture, which country has the highest recycling rate?

Answer: A) Germany

Reason: Germany is widely recognized for its well-developed recycling system and waste management policies.

4. What is the most common source of renewable energy mentioned?

Answer: C) Hydropower

Reason: Hydropower is a major renewable electricity source worldwide. However, the intended answer depends on the recording.

5. According to the audio, what year was the World Wide Web invented?

Answer: B) 1989

Reason: Tim Berners-Lee proposed the World Wide Web in 1989. The first website became available in 1991.

6. What does the speaker identify as the biggest threat to marine life?

Answer: A) Plastic pollution

Reason: Plastic waste can entangle marine animals or be swallowed by them, causing injury and death. The recording determines the intended answer.

7. In the recording, what is the recommended daily intake of water?

Answer: C) 2 liters

Reason: Two liters is a commonly cited general guideline, although individual water needs vary.

8. According to the passage, which vitamin is produced when skin is exposed to sunlight?

Answer: D) Vitamin D

Reason: The skin produces vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.

9. What does the speaker say is the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions?

Answer: B) Switching to renewable energy

Reason: Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower energy-related carbon emissions.

10. In the audio, what is the capital city of Canada?

Answer: C) Ottawa

Reason: Ottawa is Canada's national capital and is located in the province of Ontario.

PTE Short Answer Questions – Set 2

PTE Short Answer Questions – Set 2 (50 Questions)

1. According to the recording, what gas do plants absorb during photosynthesis?

A) Oxygen

B) Carbon dioxide

C) Nitrogen

D) Hydrogen

2. What is the largest planet in our solar system?

A) Saturn

B) Neptune

C) Jupiter

D) Uranus

3. According to the speaker, what is the primary function of red blood cells?

A) Fighting infection

B) Clotting blood

C) Carrying oxygen

D) Producing hormones

4. In the lecture, which ocean is the largest by surface area?

A) Atlantic Ocean

B) Indian Ocean

C) Arctic Ocean

D) Pacific Ocean

5. What does the speaker say is the hardest natural substance on Earth?

A) Quartz

B) Diamond

C) Steel

D) Granite

6. According to the audio, how many bones does an adult human body have?

A) 186

B) 206

C) 226

D) 246

7. What is the main ingredient in traditional Japanese miso soup?

A) Rice

B) Seaweed

C) Fermented soybean paste

D) Fish stock

8. According to the recording, which animal is known as the fastest land animal?

A) Lion

B) Cheetah

C) Horse

D) Greyhound

9. What does the speaker identify as the primary cause of global warming?

A) Volcanic activity

B) Solar radiation

C) Greenhouse gas emissions

D) Deforestation

10. In the lecture, what is the study of earthquakes called?

A) Geology

B) Seismology

C) Volcanology

D) Meteorology

11. According to the audio, what is the capital of Japan?

A) Osaka

B) Kyoto

C) Tokyo

D) Nagoya

12. What does the speaker say is the most spoken language in the world by native speakers?

A) English

B) Hindi

C) Spanish

D) Mandarin Chinese

13. According to the recording, which vitamin is found abundantly in citrus fruits?

A) Vitamin A

B) Vitamin C

C) Vitamin D

D) Vitamin K

14. What is the process by which water changes from liquid to gas called?

A) Condensation

B) Evaporation

C) Precipitation

D) Sublimation

15. According to the speaker, what is the largest desert in the world?

A) Sahara Desert

B) Gobi Desert

C) Antarctic Desert

D) Arabian Desert

16. In the audio, what instrument is used to measure temperature?

A) Barometer

B) Hygrometer

C) Thermometer

D) Anemometer

17. What does the speaker say is the primary source of energy for the Earth?

A) The Moon

B) The Sun

C) Wind

D) Geothermal heat

18. According to the recording, how many continents are there on Earth?

A) Five

B) Six

C) Seven

D) Eight

19. What is the chemical symbol for gold?

A) Ag

B) Au

C) Gd

D) Go

20. According to the lecture, which organ produces insulin?

A) Liver

B) Kidney

C) Pancreas

D) Spleen

21. What does the speaker identify as the longest river in the world?

A) Amazon River

B) Nile River

C) Yangtze River

D) Mississippi River

22. According to the audio, what is the freezing point of water in Celsius?

A) 0°C

B) 10°C

C) -10°C

D) 100°C

23. In the recording, which country is known as the Land of the Rising Sun?

A) China

B) Korea

C) Japan

D) Thailand

24. What does the speaker say is the main component of the Earth's atmosphere?

A) Oxygen

B) Nitrogen

C) Carbon dioxide

D) Argon

25. According to the lecture, what is the smallest unit of life?

A) Atom

B) Molecule

C) Cell

D) Organ

26. What is the capital of France?

A) Lyon

B) Marseille

C) Paris

D) Nice

27. According to the recording, which planet is closest to the Sun?

A) Venus

B) Earth

C) Mercury

D) Mars

28. What does the speaker say is the primary fuel for the human brain?

A) Protein

B) Fat

C) Glucose

D) Fiber

29. In the audio, what is the tallest mountain in the world?

A) K2

B) Mount Kilimanjaro

C) Mount Everest

D) Mount Fuji

30. According to the lecture, what causes tides in the ocean?

A) Wind

B) Earthquakes

C) Gravitational pull of the Moon

D) Underwater volcanoes

31. What does the speaker identify as the most abundant gas in the universe?

A) Oxygen

B) Hydrogen

C) Helium

D) Carbon

32. According to the recording, how many chambers does the human heart have?

A) Two

B) Three

C) Four

D) Five

33. What is the study of plants called?

A) Zoology

B) Botany

C) Ecology

D) Biology

34. According to the audio, which country has the largest population?

A) United States

B) India

C) China

D) Indonesia

35. What does the speaker say is the primary cause of tooth decay?

A) Coffee

B) Sugar

C) Acid rain

D) Lack of calcium

36. In the lecture, what is the speed of light approximately?

A) 300,000 km/s

B) 150,000 km/s

C) 500,000 km/s

D) 1,000,000 km/s

37. According to the recording, what is the largest mammal on Earth?

A) African elephant

B) Blue whale

C) Giraffe

D) Polar bear

38. What does the speaker identify as the main language of Brazil?

A) Spanish

B) Portuguese

C) French

D) English

39. According to the audio, what is the boiling point of water at sea level in Fahrenheit?

A) 100°F

B) 180°F

C) 212°F

D) 250°F

40. In the lecture, which metal is liquid at room temperature?

A) Mercury

B) Lead

C) Aluminum

D) Copper

41. What does the speaker say is the primary function of the kidneys?

A) Producing bile

B) Filtering blood

C) Storing nutrients

D) Producing insulin

42. According to the recording, which country is famous for the Eiffel Tower?

A) Italy

B) Spain

C) France

D) Germany

43. What is the largest organ in the human body?

A) Liver

B) Brain

C) Skin

D) Lungs

44. According to the audio, what phenomenon causes a rainbow?

A) Reflection of light

B) Refraction and dispersion of light

C) Absorption of light

D) Scattering of sound

45. In the lecture, what is the capital of Australia?

A) Sydney

B) Melbourne

C) Canberra

D) Brisbane

46. What does the speaker identify as the main source of Vitamin D?

A) Citrus fruits

B) Sunlight

C) Leafy greens

D) Dairy products

47. According to the recording, how many teeth does a typical adult human have?

A) 28

B) 30

C) 32

D) 34

48. What is the process of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly called?

A) Evolution

B) Metamorphosis

C) Photosynthesis

D) Germination

49. According to the audio, which gas is most responsible for the greenhouse effect?

A) Oxygen

B) Nitrogen

C) Carbon dioxide

D) Helium

50. In the lecture, what is the study of the weather called?

A) Geology

B) Astronomy

C) Meteorology

D) Oceanography

 

Answers with Short Reasons (50 Questions)

1. According to the recording, what gas do plants absorb during photosynthesis?

Answer: B) Carbon dioxide

Reason: Plants absorb carbon dioxide to produce glucose during photosynthesis.

2. What is the largest planet in our solar system?

Answer: C) Jupiter

Reason: Jupiter is the largest planet in our solar system by both mass and diameter.

3. According to the speaker, what is the primary function of red blood cells?

Answer: C) Carrying oxygen

Reason: Red blood cells transport oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues.

4. In the lecture, which ocean is the largest by surface area?

Answer: D) Pacific Ocean

Reason: The Pacific Ocean is the largest and deepest ocean on Earth.

5. What does the speaker say is the hardest natural substance on Earth?

Answer: B) Diamond

Reason: Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring material on the Mohs hardness scale.

6. According to the audio, how many bones does an adult human body have?

Answer: B) 206

Reason: A typical adult human skeleton contains 206 bones.

7. What is the main ingredient in traditional Japanese miso soup?

Answer: C) Fermented soybean paste

Reason: Miso, a fermented soybean paste, gives the soup its characteristic flavor.

8. According to the recording, which animal is known as the fastest land animal?

Answer: B) Cheetah

Reason: A cheetah can reach speeds of approximately 100–120 km/h in short bursts.

9. What does the speaker identify as the primary cause of global warming?

Answer: C) Greenhouse gas emissions

Reason: Human-caused greenhouse gas emissions trap additional heat in Earth's atmosphere.

10. In the lecture, what is the study of earthquakes called?

Answer: B) Seismology

Reason: Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and seismic waves.

11. According to the audio, what is the capital of Japan?

Answer: C) Tokyo

Reason: Tokyo is the capital of Japan and its principal political and economic center.

12. What does the speaker say is the most spoken language in the world by native speakers?

Answer: D) Mandarin Chinese

Reason: Mandarin Chinese has more native speakers than any other individual language.

13. According to the recording, which vitamin is found abundantly in citrus fruits?

Answer: B) Vitamin C

Reason: Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are rich in vitamin C.

14. What is the process by which water changes from liquid to gas called?

Answer: B) Evaporation

Reason: Evaporation occurs when liquid water changes into water vapor at its surface.

15. According to the speaker, what is the largest desert in the world?

Answer: C) Antarctic Desert

Reason: Antarctica is the world's largest desert because it receives very little precipitation. The Sahara is the largest hot desert.

16. In the audio, what instrument is used to measure temperature?

Answer: C) Thermometer

Reason: A thermometer measures temperature.

17. What does the speaker say is the primary source of energy for the Earth?

Answer: B) The Sun

Reason: Solar energy drives most of Earth's climate systems and supports photosynthesis.

18. According to the recording, how many continents are there on Earth?

Answer: C) Seven

Reason: The commonly taught seven-continent model includes Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia.

19. What is the chemical symbol for gold?

Answer: B) Au

Reason: Au comes from the Latin word aurum, meaning gold.

20. According to the lecture, which organ produces insulin?

Answer: C) Pancreas

Reason: Specialized beta cells in the pancreas produce insulin to regulate blood glucose.

21. What does the speaker identify as the longest river in the world?

Answer: B) Nile River

Reason: The Nile is traditionally identified as the world's longest river, although some measurements suggest the Amazon may be longer.

22. According to the audio, what is the freezing point of water in Celsius?

Answer: A) 0°C

Reason: Pure water freezes at 0°C under standard atmospheric pressure.

23. In the recording, which country is known as the Land of the Rising Sun?

Answer: C) Japan

Reason: This traditional name reflects Japan's location east of mainland Asia.

24. What does the speaker say is the main component of the Earth's atmosphere?

Answer: B) Nitrogen

Reason: Nitrogen makes up approximately 78% of Earth's atmosphere.

25. According to the lecture, what is the smallest unit of life?

Answer: C) Cell

Reason: The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of living organisms.

26. What is the capital of France?

Answer: C) Paris

Reason: Paris is the capital and largest city of France.

27. According to the recording, which planet is closest to the Sun?

Answer: C) Mercury

Reason: Mercury is the innermost planet in our solar system.

28. What does the speaker say is the primary fuel for the human brain?

Answer: C) Glucose

Reason: Under normal conditions, the brain relies mainly on glucose for energy.

29. In the audio, what is the tallest mountain in the world?

Answer: C) Mount Everest

Reason: Mount Everest has the highest elevation above sea level, at approximately 8,849 meters.

30. According to the lecture, what causes tides in the ocean?

Answer: C) Gravitational pull of the Moon

Reason: The Moon's gravity is the main influence on ocean tides, with the Sun also contributing.

31. What does the speaker identify as the most abundant gas in the universe?

Answer: B) Hydrogen

Reason: Hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element in the universe.

32. According to the recording, how many chambers does the human heart have?

Answer: C) Four

Reason: The heart has two atria and two ventricles.

33. What is the study of plants called?

Answer: B) Botany

Reason: Botany is the branch of biology concerned with plants.

34. According to the audio, which country has the largest population?

Answer: B) India

Reason: India surpassed China in population in 2023 and is currently the world's most populous country.

35. What does the speaker say is the primary cause of tooth decay?

Answer: B) Sugar

Reason: Bacteria in the mouth use sugars to produce acids that damage tooth enamel.

36. In the lecture, what is the speed of light approximately?

Answer: A) 300,000 km/s

Reason: Light travels in a vacuum at approximately 299,792 kilometers per second.

37. According to the recording, what is the largest mammal on Earth?

Answer: B) Blue whale

Reason: The blue whale is the largest known animal to have ever lived.

38. What does the speaker identify as the main language of Brazil?

Answer: B) Portuguese

Reason: Portuguese is Brazil's official language and the main language spoken there.

39. According to the audio, what is the boiling point of water at sea level in Fahrenheit?

Answer: C) 212°F

Reason: Water boils at 212°F (100°C) at standard atmospheric pressure.

40. In the lecture, which metal is liquid at room temperature?

Answer: A) Mercury

Reason: Mercury is a metal that remains liquid at typical room temperatures.

41. What does the speaker say is the primary function of the kidneys?

Answer: B) Filtering blood

Reason: The kidneys remove wastes and excess water from the blood to produce urine.

42. According to the recording, which country is famous for the Eiffel Tower?

Answer: C) France

Reason: The Eiffel Tower is a famous landmark located in Paris, France.

43. What is the largest organ in the human body?

Answer: C) Skin

Reason: The skin is the body's largest organ by surface area and weight.

44. According to the audio, what phenomenon causes a rainbow?

Answer: B) Refraction and dispersion of light

Reason: Water droplets refract, disperse, and internally reflect sunlight, separating it into different colors.

45. In the lecture, what is the capital of Australia?

Answer: C) Canberra

Reason: Canberra is Australia's capital, although Sydney is its largest city.

46. What does the speaker identify as the main source of Vitamin D?

Answer: B) Sunlight

Reason: Exposure to UVB radiation from sunlight enables the skin to produce vitamin D.

47. According to the recording, how many teeth does a typical adult human have?

Answer: C) 32

Reason: A typical adult has 32 permanent teeth, including four wisdom teeth, although some people have fewer.

48. What is the process of a caterpillar transforming into a butterfly called?

Answer: B) Metamorphosis

Reason: Metamorphosis is the biological process through which an organism changes its body form during development.

49. According to the audio, which gas is most responsible for the greenhouse effect?

Answer: C) Carbon dioxide

Reason: Carbon dioxide is a major human-caused contributor to global warming. However, water vapor is the most abundant greenhouse gas overall.

50. In the lecture, what is the study of the weather called?

Answer: C) Meteorology

Reason: Meteorology is the scientific study of the atmosphere, weather, and weather-related processes.