In Answer Short Question, you hear a simple question of 3 to 9 seconds, sometimes with an image, and answer in one or a few words within 10 seconds. Each answer is simply right or wrong. Although it appears in the speaking part of the test, it scores Listening only, not Speaking. By Pearson's question weightings it is just 4% of Listening and 2% of your overall score, which makes it one of the least important tasks in PTE. Treat it as quick marks: answer fast, do not overthink, and save most of your practice time for bigger tasks.
How it is scored
- Vocabulary: 1 point for a correct answer, 0 for wrong or no answer.
- There is no penalty for extra words, but long answers waste time and risk mistakes. "Doctor" is better than "I think the answer is a doctor."
- Usually 5 to 6 questions appear.
Common question types
| Type | Example | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| Definitions | What do we call a person who designs buildings? | An architect |
| Opposites | What is the opposite of "ancient"? | Modern |
| Science and nature | Which planet is closest to the Sun? | Mercury |
| Everyday objects | What do you use to measure temperature? | A thermometer |
| Time and numbers | How many days are in a leap year? | 366 |
| Places | Where would you borrow a book? | A library |
| Image questions | Which month has the highest value on this chart? | The month shown |
Questions test general knowledge and vocabulary, not specialist facts. If you know the word, the task is easy.
6 tips for full marks
- Answer in one to three words. Short and clear.
- Start speaking within 3 seconds. The microphone closes after 3 seconds of silence.
- Listen to the end of the question. The key word is often last: "...and is used to cut paper?"
- Guess if unsure. No penalty for a wrong answer, and a sensible guess sometimes scores.
- Pronounce clearly. The answer must be recognisable.
- Do not worry about grammar. "Architect" and "An architect" both score.
A 5-minute daily routine
- Practise 20 quick questions a day from a question bank.
- Keep a vocabulary list of answers you did not know (professions, tools, body parts, science words, places).
- Review the list each morning for a week.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to answer?
10 seconds, and the microphone closes after 3 seconds of silence.
Does Answer Short Question affect my score much?
Not much. It scores Listening only, at 4% of Listening and 2% overall by Pearson's question weightings. It does not count towards Speaking at all. A few minutes of daily vocabulary practice is enough; spend the rest of your time on tasks like Repeat Sentence and Describe Image.
Should I answer in a full sentence?
No. One or a few words is best.
Want to sharpen every speaking task? See our guide to PTE speaking templates, see our courses or message us on WhatsApp.