PTE Answer Short Question: Complete Guide | PTE Academic

Answer Short Question is the quickest task on PTE Academic. You hear a short question, and you answer it with a single word or just a few words. There is no passage to read and no long response to plan. If you know the word, you score the point.

This task is really a test of everyday vocabulary and quick listening. The questions are general knowledge, not tricky, and the answer is almost always one common word. This guide explains how Answer Short Question works, how it is scored, and how to prepare so the easy points do not slip away.

Table of Contents

• What is the "Answer Short Question" question type?
• How "Answer Short Question" is scored
• Tips to do well on "Answer Short Question" questions
• How to practice "Answer Short Question" questions
• Frequently asked questions
• Conclusion

What is the "Answer Short Question" question type?

Answer Short Question is a speaking task in the Speaking and Writing part of PTE Academic. You hear a recorded question, played one time, and then you say the answer out loud. According to Pearson, the task is to answer with a single word or a few words after listening to the question.

You have 10 seconds to answer, and if you pause for more than three seconds while speaking, the recording stops. The official Pearson score guide states that a test includes 5 to 6 Answer Short Question items. Note that this task counts toward your Listening score, because it checks whether you understood the question.

Here are two real examples from our practice set:

Question: "What do you call a person who is trained to fly an aircraft?"
Answer: Pilot.

Question: "What do we call a piece of land that is completely surrounded by water?"
Answer: Island.

One clear word is all you need. Saying "A pilot" or "It is a pilot" is also fine, but there is no benefit in saying more. The mark is for choosing the correct word.

For more worked examples like this one, see our 50 Answer Short Question practice questions with answers, which cover the full range of contexts and patterns you may face.

How "Answer Short Question" is scored

Answer Short Question is scored as correct or incorrect, and the trait it measures is vocabulary. The official Pearson score guide is simple: you get 1 point for an appropriate word choice in your response, and 0 points for an inappropriate one.

Because the score is 1 or 0, there is no partial credit and no negative marking. A wrong answer does not take points away, so it is always worth giving your best guess. The points you earn here count toward your Listening score, since the task checks that you understood the spoken question.

Pearson stresses that marks are awarded for a short, accurate answer. Extra words do not add anything, and the response is marked automatically by the computer.

Tips to do well on "Answer Short Question" questions

Listen for what the question is defining

Most questions describe a thing and ask for its name, like "a piece of land surrounded by water." As you listen, focus on the description and picture what it is pointing to. The answer is the everyday word for that thing. Catching the description is the whole task, so listen carefully the one time it plays.

Answer in one or a few words

This is not a task where more is better. A single correct word scores full marks. You can add a small article like "a" or "an," but you do not need a full sentence. Keeping your answer short also avoids the risk of pausing too long and ending your recording early.

Build everyday vocabulary by topic

The questions cover common topics: jobs, places, science, nature, parts of the body, household objects, and weather. Review simple vocabulary in groups like these. Knowing the everyday word for a common idea is exactly what this task rewards, and topic lists are an efficient way to prepare.

Answer promptly while the question is fresh

The question plays only once, so answer while it is still clear in your mind. If the word comes to you, say it right away rather than second-guessing. Quick, confident answers also avoid the three-second pause that ends the recording before you finish.

Say the word clearly

Because the computer needs to recognise your word, pronounce it clearly at a normal volume. A mumbled or half-finished word may not be understood. You do not need a special accent, just a clear, complete pronunciation of the single word you have chosen.

Always give your best guess

Since a wrong answer carries no penalty, never stay silent. If you are not sure, say the most likely word that fits the description. A guess might be right, and even if it is wrong, you lose nothing compared with saying nothing at all.

How to practice "Answer Short Question" questions

Answer Short Question rewards two things: quick listening and a broad base of everyday vocabulary. The best practice exposes you to many question and answer pairs so the common patterns and words become automatic.

On Arno you can work through Answer Short Question items with real audio and instantly check whether your word was right. You build the vocabulary and the listening speed the task needs, and you quickly learn the kinds of definitions that come up most often.

Click here to create your free account and start practicing Answer Short Question.

Frequently asked questions

How is PTE Answer Short Question scored?

It is scored as correct or incorrect on vocabulary. You get 1 point for an appropriate word choice and 0 for an inappropriate one. There is no partial credit and no negative marking.

Does Answer Short Question count for Speaking or Listening?

According to the Pearson score guide, it counts toward your Listening score, because the task checks that you understood the spoken question. You still answer out loud, but the point is credited to Listening.

How many Answer Short Question items are on PTE Academic?

A PTE Academic test includes 5 to 6 Answer Short Question items, according to the Pearson score guide.

How long do I have to answer, and can I replay the question?

You cannot replay the question, as it plays only once. You then have 10 seconds to answer, and if you pause for more than three seconds while speaking, the recording stops automatically.

Should I answer in a full sentence?

No. A single correct word, or a few words, scores full marks. Pearson says marks are awarded for a short, accurate answer, so there is no benefit in saying more than you need to.

What should I do if I do not know the answer?

Give your best guess. A wrong answer carries no penalty, so saying the most likely word is always better than staying silent. You might be right, and you lose nothing if you are not.

Conclusion

Answer Short Question is a fast source of points. Listen carefully to the one-time question, picture what it is describing, and say the everyday word for it in one or two words. Keep your answer short, pronounce it clearly, and never stay silent, since a wrong guess costs nothing.

Prepare by building common vocabulary in topic groups and practicing quick listening. With that base in place, these easy marks add up and help your Listening score.