The PTE Listening Test is an evaluation of your ability to decipher the tone, implicit information, and context of a conversation. The Test is 45-57 minutes of duration.
The Listening Section would have questions based on audio and video clips. Each audio or video clip will be played only once. But not so, for you will be allowed to take notes and adjust the volume for each question.
Let's have a look at the different sections of the Listening Test:
Summarize spoken text
- Multiple choice questions
- Fill in the blanks
- Highlight the correct summary
- Multiple choice questions
- Select missing word
- Highlight incorrect words
- Write from dictation
Listening: 1) Summarize spoken text
Task: A summary of 50-70 words must be written after listening to a recording.
Skills assessed: Listening and writing.
Prompt Length: 60-90 seconds.
A 50-70 word summary has to be written after listening to an audio recording.
10 minutes will be provided to write the summary. The audio recording will play automatically and only once. The Word Count is the number of words written, will be displayed at the bottom of the screen. The write-up must be of minimum 50 words and must not exceed 70 words. Cut, copy and paste buttons can be used while constructing the summary.
Test tips
- The main point must be summarized including the supporting points.
- Notes must be taken in an erasable note board booklet. While listening to the recording, notes must be taken for the supporting points and the main idea.
- From the notes, the main point must be summarized along with the essential supporting points to be referred to briefly. This aids in a good score.
- Grammar, spelling, and punctuation must be correct and appropriate, for high scoring.
- 1-2 minutes of time must be given for editing purpose. Sentences, subject-verb agreement, tenses, and word order must be rechecked.
- Grammatical structures to be used.
- Punctuation must be correct.
Listening: 2) Multiple choice and multiple answers
Task: A multiple-choice question is to be answered based on the tone and content, after listening to a recording. There may be more than one response.
Skills assessed: Listening.
Prompt Length: 40-90 seconds.
More than one correct response is to be selected after listening to the recording. The recording will be played only once. The left mouse button must be clicked to select an option and clicked for the second time to deselect the option. The selected option will be highlighted in yellow.
Test tips
- The main point including the supporting points must be noted.
- The question must be read in the 7 seconds before the recording begins.
- Taking notes will help in selecting the options.
- Details are to be noted as the options may not be played by the audio in the same order.
- Meanings are to be selected, not only for matching the words heard.
- Options that match best with the meaning as per the audio are to be selected.
Listening & Writing: 3) Fill in the blanks
Task: After listening to the audio recording, a transcript that appears with several blanks must be filled.
Skills assessed: Listening and writing.
Prompt Length: 30-60 seconds.
(The transcript must be restored by typing the missing words by listening to the audio recording.)
The audio recording is played only once. To type the missing word candidates must left-click on each gap. Alternatively, the Tab button on the keyboard can be used to move between the gaps. Note can be made on the erasable note board booklet provided.
Test tips
- The text must be skimmed before the recording starts.
- Skimming must be done 7 seconds before the recording begins.
- While skimming, the gaps must be ignored to have an overall idea of the text.
- The candidates can skim for pronouns, nouns that are repeated etc.
- While listening, words must be written on the ‘erasable note board booklet’ for the respective blanks.
- Recordings will be played once at a normal speed.
- After the recording, the candidates can read through the text, use notes to decide the missing wordsand the spelling, before typing them into the gaps.
- The next module does not start until Next (N) is available, this will offer a little time to think about the answers.
Listening: 4) Highlight the correct summary
Task: After listening to the audio recording, select the paragraph that summarizes the recording the best.
Skills assessed: Listening and reading.
Prompt Length: 30-90 seconds.
The summary that best matches the recording must be selected.
The audio recording is played only once. There will be many response options but only one will be correct. Using the left mouse button the option must be clicked to select and deselect as well. The selected option will be highlighted in yellow.
Note: It is recommended that the candidates listen before making notes on the erasable note board booklet and then read the summaries.
Listening: 5) Multiple choice and single answer
Task: Listen to the audio recording; select a response to answer a multiple choice question.
Skills assessed: Listening.
Prompt Length: 30-60 seconds
The multiple-choice question must be answered after listening to the recording.
The audio recording is played only once. There will be many response options but only one will be correct. Using the left mouse button the option must be clicked to select and deselect as well. The selected option will be highlighted in yellow.
Test tips
- The required information must be focused on.
- The main part of the question will indicate the listening aspect, for multiple choice questions.
- Candidates must be aware and focus on the questions.
- Candidates must listen for the supporting information and inference. Recording may also be played to understand the speaker’s purpose.
- The questions must be skimmed in 5 seconds, before the recording starts. Understanding the topic is important.
Listening: 6) Select the missing word
Task: After listening to the audio recording, select a response from the list of options.
Skills assessed: Listening.
Prompt Length: 20-70 seconds
(The last word or group of words in the recording is replaced by a beep. The most appropriate option must be selected to complete the recording.)
The audio recording is played only once. There will be many response options but only one will be correct. Using the left mouse button, the option must be clicked to select and deselect as well. The selected option will be highlighted in yellow.
Test tips
- Know what to do if the answer is to be changed.
- For each question there are 3 to 5 options, out of which only 1 will be a correct option, which is to be selected.
- The next module does not start until Next (N) is available, this will offer a little time to think about the answers and change them, if required.
Listening: 7) Highlight incorrect words
Task: While listening to the recorded transcript, the differing words must be identified as it appears on the screen.
Skills assessed: Listening and Reading
Prompt Length: 15-50 seconds.
A transcript of the audio recording is presented which will have some errors. While listening and reading, the differing words in the text must be selected.
The audio recording is played only once. There will be many response options but only one will be correct. Using the left mouse button the option must be clicked to select and deselect as well. The selected option will be highlighted in yellow.
Test tips
- The transcript must be read quickly and key words are to be focused on.
- Before the recording starts, candidates will have to skim the transcript in 10 seconds.
- The words that provide information must be focused on.
- Once the general topic decided, words that do not fit the topic can be found while reading and listening.
- The text must be followed using the cursor and the unfamiliar words must be clicked. The wrong words are to be selected as the text is read.
- Making notes is not recommended here.
Listening: 8) Write from dictation
Task: After listening to the recorded sentence, it must be typed.
Skills assessed: Listening and Writing.
Prompt Length: 3-5 seconds
(A short, recorded sentence is heard, which must be typed in the response box at the bottom of the screen.)
The audio recording is played only once. Notes can be made on the erasable note board booklet provided. Spelling must be checked.
Test tips
- The transcript must be read quickly and keywords are to be focused on.
- Before the recording starts, candidates will have to skim the transcript in 10 seconds.
- The words that provide information must be focused on.
- Once the general topic decided, words that do not fit the topic can be found while reading and listening.
In our forthcoming blogs, we will share tips and techniques that you could better understand your Listening Test skills.
Nevertheless, do give us a buzz at 9900426501 or mail us at info @ localhost if you have any query on PTE.
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