PTE Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening): Complete Guide | PTE Academic

Multiple Choice, Single Answer in the Listening part of PTE Academic tests how well you understood a short recording. You listen to the audio, then answer a question about it by choosing one option from several. The question often asks for the main idea, the speaker's purpose, or a specific detail.

This is a forgiving task, because there is no penalty for a wrong answer and only one option to choose. With good notes and a clear method for checking the options against what you heard, it becomes a reliable source of listening marks. This guide explains how it works, how it is scored, and how to find the right answer.

Table of Contents

• What is the "Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening)" question type?
• How "Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening)" is scored
• Tips to do well on "Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening)" questions
• How to practice "Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening)" questions
• Frequently asked questions
• Conclusion

What is the "Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening)" question type?

Multiple Choice, Single Answer is a listening task in PTE Academic. You hear a recording of about 30 to 90 seconds, played once, then a question with several answer options. You select the single option that best answers it. According to Pearson, the audio plays only once, so good notes matter.

The official Pearson score guide states that a test includes 2 to 3 of these questions, and they count toward your Listening score. The question may ask for the recording's main idea, the speaker's attitude, or a particular point.

Here is a real example from our practice set. The recording explains that status used to be shown by having lots of leisure time, but in the modern economy it has reversed: being very busy now signals high status, because it suggests your skills are in demand.

Question: How has the sign of high status changed, according to the speaker?

a) It is now defined by the ability to avoid working entirely
b) It has shifted from displaying leisure to demonstrating a lack of free time
c) It relies more heavily on the consumption of luxury material goods
d) It focuses on maximizing leisure time to show wealth

Answer: b. The recording's whole point is the reversal from showing leisure to showing busyness. The other options contradict it.

For more worked examples like this one, see our Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening) practice questions with answers, which cover the full range of contexts and patterns you may face.

How "Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening)" is scored

Multiple Choice, Single Answer is scored as correct or incorrect. You get the point if you choose the right option, and nothing if you do not. There is no partial credit, because there is only one answer to choose.

There is no negative marking on this task. A wrong answer does not take points away, so you should always choose an option, even if you are guessing between two.

This task counts toward your Listening score, and it is marked automatically by the computer.

Tips to do well on "Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening)" questions

Read the question and options first

If you can, glance at the question and options before the audio starts. Knowing what you are listening for, whether the main idea or a detail, helps you focus on the right part of the recording instead of trying to remember everything.

Take notes as you listen

The audio plays once, so jot down the main idea and a few key points. Short notes give you something to check the options against after the recording ends. Listen for the speaker's overall message first, then the supporting details.

Match options to your notes

After the recording, compare each option with what you heard. The correct answer is supported by the recording, not by your own opinion. If an option says something the speaker did not, or twists a point, it is not the answer.

Eliminate wrong options

Cross out options that contradict the recording, that were not mentioned, or that are only partly true. Wrong options often use words from the audio but change the meaning. Narrowing four choices to two makes the final decision easier and more accurate.

Do not rely on keywords alone

Some options repeat words you heard but do not answer the question. Choose the option whose meaning matches the recording, not just one that shares vocabulary with it. The correct answer fits the speaker's actual point.

Always choose an answer

Because there is no penalty for a wrong choice, never leave the question unanswered. If you are stuck between two options, pick the one that fits your notes better. A reasoned guess can win a point that a blank never will.

How to practice "Multiple Choice Single Answer (Listening)" questions

This task improves when you practice listening for the main idea, taking quick notes, and checking options against them. The useful feedback is seeing which option was correct and why the others were wrong.

On Arno you can practice real Multiple Choice questions for Listening and get instant scoring that shows the correct option and exactly how to catch the key idea next time. You build the habit of listening for the question and ruling out the traps.

Click here to create your free account and start practicing Multiple Choice questions.

Frequently asked questions

How is PTE Multiple Choice, Single Answer (Listening) scored?

It is scored as correct or incorrect. You get the point for choosing the right option and nothing for a wrong one. There is no partial credit, because there is only one correct answer.

Is there negative marking?

No. A wrong answer does not take points away, so you should always choose an option, even if you have to guess.

How many times does the audio play?

Only once. The recording, about 30 to 90 seconds long, plays a single time, so take notes as you listen.

How many of these questions are on PTE Academic?

A PTE Academic test includes 2 to 3 Multiple Choice, Single Answer listening questions, according to the Pearson score guide.

Which score does this task count toward?

It counts toward your Listening score, according to the Pearson score guide, and it is marked automatically by the computer.

How is this different from Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers?

Single Answer has one correct option and no negative marking. Multiple Answers has more than one correct option and deducts a point for each wrong choice, so the strategy is different.

Conclusion

Multiple Choice, Single Answer for Listening rewards focused listening. Read the question first if you can, take notes on the main idea and key points, then match each option to what you heard. Eliminate the choices that contradict or twist the recording, and pick the one the speaker actually supports.

With no penalty for a wrong answer, always make a choice. Practice note-taking and spotting traps, and this task becomes a steady, low-risk source of Listening marks.