70% of test-takers lose points on the PTE Core Answer Short Question task, and you might be one of them! 

The reason? They hesitate or aren’t clear enough in their responses.

It’s a short part of the test, but it can significantly impact your overall speaking score.

Follow LUME Test, and you’ll find 12 simple and effective tips to help you answer quickly and confidently.

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Key Takeaways 

• In the PTE Core Answer Short Question part, you need to give short, direct answers (usually just one or a few words) in 10 seconds.
• Expanding your vocabulary and staying updated on general knowledge helps you handle a wider range of questions without hesitation.
• Regular practice with mock tests (like those from LUME) can greatly improve your timing and confidence.

Related:

• FREE PTE Core mock tests with answers
• PTE Core Speaking modules
• PTE Core Respond to a Situation tips

About PTE Core Answer Short Question

Format

In this Answer Short Question task, you’ll hear prompts that last about 3 to 9 seconds, and after that, you need to respond quickly. 

The questions could be about a variety of topics, and sometimes, there might be an image to help you understand it better.

When the prompt finishes, your microphone will open, and you’ll have 10 seconds to answer. 

The progress bar shows how much time is left, and when it reaches the end, your answer won’t be recorded anymore. 

Scoring System

This task is scored based on whether your answer is accurate and relevant to the question you heard. 

If your response correctly matches what was asked, you’ll get the point. And there’s no partial credit. 

If you say nothing or give the wrong answer, you won’t receive any marks. 

12 Practical PTE Core Answer Short Question Tips

Start Speaking Instantly

As soon as the status bar changes to “Recording,” you need to start speaking right away. 

If you stay silent for more than 3 seconds, the recording will stop automatically, and your answer won’t be recorded. 

Besides, you won’t get another chance to respond, and the next question will come up right after. 

So it’s really important to speak promptly and clearly.

Stick To The Point

In this section, it’s best to keep your answer short, just one or a few words. 

Even if you give a longer sentence that’s correct, it won’t give you extra marks. 

In fact, longer answers might lead to mistakes or confuse the system. 

For example, if you’re asked who designed buildings, simply saying “architect” is enough.

Stay Focused

You only get to hear the question one time, so you should listen carefully and stay focused. 

Missing even a small part of it could lead to the wrong answer. 

Moreover, as you’re expected to give a quick, short response, so there’s no need to take notes. 

All you need to do is keep an eye on the progress bar and make sure to answer in 10 seconds. 

Speak Clearly And Correctly

Speak clearly and pronounce your answer correctly so that the system can understand and mark it properly. 

If you make a mistake, you can correct yourself as long as you’re still within the 10-second time limit. 

One of the most effective methods to improve your speaking skills is to practice shadowing. 

You can watch videos or listen to podcasts in English, then repeat what the speakers say right after them. 

The key here is trying to match their speed, tone, and pronunciation. 

Over time, this approach will help train your mouth and ears together.

Take Mock Tests

Like any other English test, taking mock tests is among the best ways to prepare before taking the real exam. 

With LUME, you will have a chance to get access to a question bank and mock tests that closely mimic the real exam. 

Our system uses AI scoring to give you accurate results, provides detailed feedback, and lets you track your progress over time. 

This kind of PTE Core Answer Short Question practice helps you understand what to expect on the test day and builds both confidence and consistency.

Build Your Vocabulary

Vocabulary plays a big role in how you’re scored in this task. 

The more words you know, the better your chances of giving the right answer. 

When practicing, you should build a strong vocabulary so you feel confident even with tricky or unfamiliar topics.

One simple way to learn new words is by reading short articles or watching videos on different topics. 

When you come across a word you don’t know, just write it down and look up its meaning. 

Most importantly, you should use it in your own sentences in daily life. 

This will help you recall it faster during the test.

Visualize The Questions

Another helpful tip for this task is to create mental images while listening to the question. 

Visualizing the situation or subject can make it easier to understand and remember what’s being asked. 

For example, if the question is about a university, try to picture a campus with students and buildings. 

It can guide you to the right answers more quickly.

Stay Informed

Keeping up with current events is a smart way to prepare for this task. 

Watching the news, reading reliable newspapers, or following educational channels can help you stay familiar with a wide range of topics. 

The more you know about what’s happening in the world, the easier it will be to understand and respond to different types of questions confidently.

Manage Time Effectively

You only have 10 seconds to respond, so it’s necessary to practice answering quickly and clearly. 

Getting used to this time limit through regular practice with LUME can help you stay calm and deliver your answer without rushing or hesitating.

Practice Consistently

If you want to do well in any English-speaking test, the best thing you can do is to practice consistently. 

After a period of time, you will get faster and more confident, and it’ll feel more natural to answer under pressure. 

Therefore, just make it a part of your routine, and you’ll definitely see progress.

Don’t Overthink

You don’t need to overthink the questions because the answers are often simpler than they seem. 

In most cases, the correct response is straightforward, so trusting your instinct can help. 

Thus, keeping your answer simple and clear is usually a smart approach.

Improve Your Listening Skills

Test-takers should focus on understanding the main points in the audio by trying to pick out keywords, like nouns and verbs, which carry the most important information. 

You don’t need to pay attention to small words like articles or conjunctions. 

Also, it can be helpful to listen to practice tracks multiple times. 

This repetition helps you get more confidence in identifying essential details quickly.

35+ Common Answer Short Questions In PTE Core (With Answers) 

1. What do we call someone who joins a group or club? – Member
2. Which body organ controls how you think and move? – Brain
3. What’s the tiny organism that can cause illness but also help nature? – Bacteria
4. Where are fish usually kept, at home or in public places? – Aquarium
5. What’s another word for early morning light? – Sunrise
6. What do we call the total number of people living in a city or country? – Population
7. What’s the event when the sun is blocked by the moon? – Solar eclipse 
8. What place usually offers the widest variety of goods? – Supermarket
9. Which branch of science studies living things? – Biology
10. What do people need to show when flying overseas? – Passport
11. Which of these isn’t a mammal: dog, butterfly, or sheep? – Butterfly
12. What do we call the section at the back of a book that helps you look up topics? – Index
13. What is the term for an economy that depends on farming? – Agricultural
14. What’s the name of a musical piece written for a solo instrument? – Concerto
15. In business, what does PR stand for? – Public Relations
16. What’s a sudden disaster that causes major damage? – Catastrophe
17. What’s the event where students get their degree? – Graduation
18. What do you call someone who speaks many languages? – Polyglot
19. What do you call a woman who’s never been married and is older? – Spinster
20. At university, you may take a spoken test. What other type is it? – Written exam
21. What household item keeps food cold and fresh? – Fridge/ Refrigerator
22. What’s the name of the process plants use to get energy from the sun? – Photosynthesis
23. Where do you go to pay at a supermarket? – Checkout
24. Who designs houses and buildings? – Architect
25. What do you call the study of where words come from? – Etymology
26. What do you call a book someone writes about their own life? – Autobiography 
27. What word describes something that burns quickly or catches fire easily? – Flammable
28. Which month comes right before December? – November
29. What’s it called when water turns into vapor? – Evaporation
30. What do we call someone who always sees the bright side? – Optimist
31. What do we call a person who cannot see? – Blind
32. What do you follow to cook a specific dish? – Recipe
33. Which word describes a broken bone: fracture or blister? – Fracture
34. What happens to ice when it’s heated? – It melts/ turns to water
35. How many sides does a Pentagon have? – Five
36. What is made mostly from cocoa? – Chocolate
37. What tool helps you see stars and planets? – Telescope

Conclusion

In short, if you want to do well in the PTE Core Answer Short Question section, just stay focused, think simply, and practice regularly. 

Besides, you should keep building your vocabulary, training your ears for different accents, and getting used to the time pressure by doing mock tests. 

With consistency and the right strategies, you’ll definitely see improvement.

Want to FINALLY Pass the PTE Core Test And Achieve Your Goals? Get Your FREE Lume Account Today to Unlock… ✅ 10,000+ PRACTICE QUESTIONS with detailed answers ✅ FREE MOCK TESTS with fast & accurate AI scoring ✅ Get BETTER SCORES with a PERSONALIZED study plan GET YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW (Limited seats available!)