Introduction
Are you gearing up for the PTE Academic exam and feeling anxious about the speaking section? You’re not alone!
Many candidates, especially non-native English speakers, find the PTE Speaking test challenging.
But here’s the good news: with the right preparation and practice tool like Mockmaster, you can ace this section and score high in your overall PTE test.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the PTE Speaking format, provide valuable tips, and even offer free sample questions to help you prepare effectively. Let’s dive in!
Why is practice so important?
- Familiarity with the format: The more you practice, the better you’ll understand the question types and how to approach them.
- Build confidence: Regular practice helps you develop fluency and accuracy, which boosts your confidence on test day.
- Identify weaknesses: By practicing sample questions, you can pinpoint areas that need improvement—whether it’s pronunciation, fluency, or understanding the questions.
Understanding the PTE Speaking Format
Before you dive into practice, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the PTE Speaking test format. There are five main question types you need to focus on:
- Read Aloud: In this task, you’ll be presented with a written text and asked to read it aloud. It’s all about clarity, fluency, and correct pronunciation.
- Repeat Sentence: You’ll hear a sentence and need to repeat it exactly as you heard it. This tests your memory, listening, and speaking skills.
- Describe Image: An image will appear on the screen, and you’ll need to describe it in detail. The key is to speak clearly, logically, and without pauses.
- Re-tell Lecture: You’ll listen to a lecture or a presentation, and your job is to summarize it in your own words. This tests both your listening comprehension and speaking fluency.
- Answer Short Questions: In this section, you’ll hear a question and are required to answer it with a brief response, usually one or two words.
Understanding the structure and purpose of each question type is crucial for targeted practice.
Free Sample Questions for PTE Speaking
Now that you’re familiar with the format, it’s time to put theory into action! Below are some free sample questions from previous PTE exams, designed to help you sharpen your skills:
1. Read Aloud
Sample Question:
a) “Climate change has emerged as one of the most pressing global challenges, requiring urgent attention from policymakers and communities worldwide.”
b) “We offer student support and counseling services with a diverse team of male and female staff from various fields like clinical psychology, sociology, educational psychology, and social work.
All our counselors hold master’s or doctoral degrees and are registered with professional organizations, ensuring you’re in safe, qualified hands.”
c) “The goal of an informative speech is to share interesting, useful, and fresh information with your audience.
By focusing on delivering valuable insights and connecting with your listeners, you’re already setting yourself up for success.
When you dedicate yourself to providing engaging content that appeals to your audience, you’re not just giving a speech—you’re creating an experience that leaves them informed and inspired.”
d) “Summerhill School raised a lot of eyebrows in the traditional education world. Why? Because lessons were totally optional!
Instead of strict rules, the school was run by a School Council where both students and staff had equal say.
Everyone got the same voting rights, making it a true community. Sounds pretty unique, right?”
e) “Did you know Japan is the world’s calculator superpower? For over 30 years, Japanese manufacturers have dominated global calculator sales!
Even with personal computers everywhere, calculators remain a must-have in accounting.
And now, with graphing calculators, they’ve become a key tool in education too. Japan’s got the calculator game covered!”
Tip: Focus on reading clearly without rushing. Use natural pauses, and ensure your pronunciation is accurate.
2. Repeat Sentence
Sample Question:
a) “The results of the survey were published in a scientific journal last week.”
b) “The economic impact of climate change is becoming increasingly evident across the globe.”
c) “Effective communication skills are essential for success in any professional environment.”
d) “Researchers found a significant correlation between sleep patterns and overall health.”
e) “The technology sector is rapidly evolving, presenting both challenges and opportunities for businesses.”
Tip: Listen carefully and try to remember the sentence in chunks. Don’t worry if you miss a word or two; aim for fluency rather than perfection.
3. Describe Image
- Sample Image: A bar chart showing the population growth of various cities from 1990 to 2020.
- Sample Image: A pie chart showing the percentage distribution of different modes of transportation used by commuters in a city.
- Sample Image: A photograph of a busy urban street filled with pedestrians, bicycles, and cars during a sunny day.
- Sample Image: A bar graph illustrating the average temperatures in different cities across four seasons.
- Sample Image: An infographic displaying the benefits of regular exercise, including statistics and illustrations.
Tip: Begin with an introduction like, “The image depicts the population growth trends over three decades for several cities.” Then describe the major trends, keeping your speech logical and coherent.
4. Re-tell Lecture
- Sample Audio: A brief lecture about the importance of renewable energy sources in combating climate change.
- Listen to a lecture discussing the significance of biodiversity in maintaining ecological balance and human survival. After listening, summarize the main points.
- Sample Audio: Listen to a lecture about different types of renewable energy sources, their benefits, and their impact on the environment. After the lecture, provide a brief summary of what you heard.
- Sample Audio: Listen to a lecture explaining the process of photosynthesis, including its stages and importance for plant life. After listening, describe the key details of the lecture.
- Sample Audio: Listen to a lecture on how climate change is affecting weather patterns around the world. Summarize the main arguments and examples presented in the lecture after you listen.
Tip: Take notes while listening. Focus on summarizing the main points and maintain a smooth flow in your response.
5. Answer Short Question
- Question: What is the chemical formula for water? Answer: H2O.
- Question: What is the capital city of Australia?
Answer: Canberra. - Question: What gas do plants absorb from the atmosphere?
Answer: Carbon dioxide. - Question: How many continents are there in the world?
Answer: Seven. - Question: What is the boiling point of water in degrees Celsius?
Answer: 100 degrees Celsius.
Tip: Keep your answers short, clear, and accurate. There’s no need to overthink these questions.
Conclusion
The PTE Speaking section may seem intimidating at first, but with consistent practice and the right strategies, you can master it.
At Mockmaster.AI, we provide a vast collection of free PTE speaking practice MOCK TEST questions along with detailed solutions to help you succeed.
So, what are you waiting for? Start practicing today and get one step closer to your dream PTE score!
