PTE Core Respond to a Situation tests whether you can speak appropriately in an everyday context. Speak to the person in the scenario. Do not summarise the prompt or deliver memorised filler.
You read and hear a prompt of up to 60 words, then have 20 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to speak. Pearson PTE Core Speaking & Writing format
Plan with four cues
- Role: Who are you?
- Audience: Who is listening?
- Goal: What must change or happen?
- Details: Which reason, deadline or condition must be included?
Build the response as opening, purpose, essential details and clear action. Adjust the tone for the relationship.
Example 1: workplace request
Prompt: Your supervisor has scheduled a team meeting when you have a medical appointment that cannot be moved. Explain the conflict and suggest how you can still contribute.
Plan: employee to supervisor; respectful; fixed appointment; send notes or join later.
Response:
Hi Daniel, I need to let you know that the team meeting conflicts with a medical appointment I cannot reschedule. I still want to contribute, so I can send my project update and questions before the meeting. If the meeting runs for more than an hour, I can also join as soon as my appointment finishes. Could you please share any decisions or follow-up actions with me afterwards?
The response explains the constraint without unnecessary private detail and offers practical alternatives.
Example 2: service problem
Prompt: You ordered a desk for delivery today, but the company delivered a chair instead. You need the desk before you start working from home on Monday. Call customer service and request a solution.
Response:
Hello, I am calling about order 417. I ordered a desk for delivery today, but a chair arrived instead. I begin working from home on Monday, so I need the correct desk before then. Please arrange collection of the chair and confirm the earliest replacement delivery. If delivery before Monday is impossible, I would like to collect the desk from a nearby store or receive a refund.
This answer states the error, deadline and acceptable outcomes. The tone is firm because action is urgent, but it remains courteous.
Avoid three common problems
Retelling: “The situation is about a customer who...” fails to perform the role.
Missing a constraint: Asking for a replacement without mentioning Monday loses an essential detail.
Over-politeness: Several vague questions can hide the required action. State what you need, then soften it appropriately.
Compare Core with the broader Respond to a Situation guide, which also explains Academic’s shorter preparation time. Use these original prompts for practice, then browse Core Respond to a Situation practice.
Choose register from the relationship
Choose directness from the purpose, urgency and relationship. Softer wording can suit a manager or customer, but a clear urgent request may still need direct language.
Peer: “Could you swap the Tuesday shift with me? I can cover your Saturday shift.”
Manager: “Would it be possible to move my Tuesday shift? I can cover Saturday instead and update the roster today.”
Both are clear. The second adds appropriate deference and a practical action. Avoid vague endings such as “Please do the needful”.
