PTE Answer Short Questions: Part 1
PTE Answer Short Questions are a quick part of the PTE Academic test, where you listen to a short question and give a brief answer. However, PTE Answer Short Questions can cover topics such as science, geography, education, technology, occupations, and everyday objects. Because the responses are usually short, the main goal is to understand the question and provide the correct answer without unnecessary information.
The key is to understand the question correctly and identify the information being requested. For this reason, careful listening is more important than trying to produce a complicated response. In addition, regular practice can help you recognise common question patterns and respond more naturally.
This page contains 100 PTE Answer Short Question practice questions with answers. Try to answer each question before looking at the solution. After that, check your response and review the questions that caused difficulty.
PTE Answer Short Questions Format
In this task, you hear a short question and then provide an appropriate answer. Questions can cover everyday situations, academic subjects, science, geography, technology, people, places, objects, and general knowledge.
First, listen to the complete question. Pay attention to important words because they can help you understand what type of answer is required. Once the question is clear, focus on the exact information being requested.
A short answer is normally enough. Therefore, avoid giving unnecessary explanations when a single word or short phrase answers the question correctly. In addition, Pearson states that Answer Short Question responses are judged as correct or incorrect according to the appropriateness of the words used.
PTE Answer Short Question at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of questions | 5–6 |
| Response | Short and accurate answer |
| Scoring | Correct / Incorrect |
| Main skill | Listening |
| Answer style | Usually one word or a short phrase |
Pearson’s current PTE Academic information lists 5–6 Answer Short Question items and explains that the task tests your ability to understand a recorded question and provide a brief, accurate response.
PTE Answer Short Questions: How to Answer
A simple approach can make this task easier.
First, listen carefully. Do not decide on an answer before hearing the complete question.
Next, identify the key information. Ask yourself what the question wants: a person, place, object, number, subject, profession, process, or another type of information.
Then, give the shortest correct response. If one word is enough, there is no reason to add a sentence.
Finally, move on. If you are unsure about one question, do not allow it to affect your concentration on the next item.
Example
Question: What do bees produce?
Answer: Honey.
There is no need to say, “Bees produce honey.” A short and accurate answer is sufficient.
PTE Answer Short Questions: Tips and Strategies
1. Listen to the entire question
The beginning of a question can be misleading if you answer too quickly. Wait until you understand what is actually being asked.
2. Focus on the question word
Words such as what, who, where, when, which, how many, and how much can help you predict the type of answer.
For example:
Question: Who repairs electrical wiring?
Answer: Electrician.
The word who tells you that the answer should be a person or profession.
3. Keep your answer short
Long answers are unnecessary when the question requires only a word or phrase. Instead, give the exact answer and stop.
4. Do not add unrelated information
Suppose the question asks:
What is the capital of South Korea?
The answer is:
Seoul.
There is no advantage in adding extra information about South Korea.
5. Build general vocabulary
Because the questions can cover different topics, a broad vocabulary can be useful. Practise words related to science, geography, education, occupations, objects, nature, technology, and everyday life.
6. Practise listening and answering together
Reading questions silently is useful, but listening practice is also important. As a result, try to practise with audio questions whenever possible.
7. Do not depend only on memorisation
Memorising a large list of questions may help you become familiar with common topics, but questions can vary. Instead, use practice questions to develop your ability to understand the meaning quickly.
100 PTE Answer Short Questions With Answers
The following PTE Answer Short Questions cover common topics such as science, education, geography, occupations, objects, nature, technology, and everyday life.
For more practice, PTE Answer Short Question Part 2 provides another useful set of questions to improve your speed and accuracy.
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 1
- How many years are there in 2 centuries?
Answer: 200 years - A person aged between 13 and 19 is called what?
Answer: Teenager / Adolescent - How would you describe a place that is suitable for living?
Answer: Habitable - What is the term for an owner of stock in a company?
Answer: Shareholder - Where are scientific experiments usually conducted?
Answer: Laboratory - Which word means the opposite of major?
Answer: Minor - What is the highest point of a mountain known as?
Answer: Summit / Peak - Which subject studies the nature and development of society?
Answer: Sociology - A photograph showing the side view of a person’s face is called what?
Answer: Profile - Which instrument can be used to measure weight?
Answer: Weighing scale / Balance
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 2
The next group focuses on professions, science, geography, and general knowledge.
- What would you call someone who purchases goods from a shop?
Answer: Customer - A group of connected mountains, such as the Himalayas, is known as what?
Answer: Mountain range - Which term describes a person who studies languages?
Answer: Linguist - What connects the head to the rest of the body?
Answer: Neck - What is the medical process of identifying an illness called?
Answer: Diagnosis - Which unit is used to measure electric current?
Answer: Ampere - What is the study or collection of coins known as?
Answer: Numismatics - Which city serves as the capital of South Korea?
Answer: Seoul - What currency is used in Russia?
Answer: Ruble - How would you describe products that can last for a long time without breaking?
Answer: Durable products
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 3
Now, try questions related to everyday objects, nature, language, and geography.
- Chairs, tables, and beds are examples of what?
Answer: Furniture - Which term describes a line that runs parallel to the ground?
Answer: Horizontal - What are small pieces of ice that fall from the sky during a storm called?
Answer: Hail - Which gas is essential for human breathing?
Answer: Oxygen - What is the male counterpart of a bride?
Answer: Groom - Which part of a building is located directly beneath the roof and may be used as a room?
Answer: Attic - If you need to send money to another country, what can you make?
Answer: An international bank transfer - Which word has the opposite meaning to negative?
Answer: Positive - What photographic material traditionally requires development in darkness?
Answer: Film - Where are page numbers generally placed in a book?
Answer: At the bottom of the page
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 4
These questions introduce more academic and everyday vocabulary.
- Besides coffee and hot chocolate, which common drink contains caffeine?
Answer: Tea - What is a conversation between people using telephones called?
Answer: Telephone conversation / Call - Which kitchen container is commonly used for heating and boiling water?
Answer: Kettle - What are subjects chosen by students rather than required subjects called?
Answer: Elective subjects - Which term refers to the subjects taught in a school or college?
Answer: Curriculum - What type of card can be sent through the post without an envelope?
Answer: Postcard - Which type of vessel can travel below the surface of the sea?
Answer: Submarine - What is the point where a river flows into the sea called?
Answer: Mouth - How do we describe a person who is 100 years old or older?
Answer: Centenarian - Which part of the brain helps control balance and muscle coordination?
Answer: Cerebellum
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 5
The following questions focus on health, science, occupations, society, and the environment.
- What is the process of breaking down food inside the body called?
Answer: Digestion - Grams and kilograms are units used to measure what?
Answer: Weight / Mass - Which piece of glass is located at the front of a car?
Answer: Windshield / Windscreen - What can an inventor apply for to protect an invention from being copied?
Answer: Patent - Which field specialises in the study and application of electricity?
Answer: Electrical Engineering - What term describes the large-scale departure of people from a particular area?
Answer: Exodus - A society in which men traditionally hold dominant social positions is described by what term?
Answer: Patriarchy - Which branch of science studies the origin and development of the universe?
Answer: Cosmology - What is a collection of maps called?
Answer: Atlas - A ten-year-old child belongs to which stage of life?
Answer: Childhood
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 6
Next, test yourself with questions about recycling, medicine, language, crime, and communication.
- Between plastic and paper, which material is generally easier to recycle?
Answer: Paper - Which organ pumps blood around the human body?
Answer: Heart - Who designs buildings and prepares their architectural plans?
Answer: Architect - Which punctuation mark normally indicates the end of a sentence?
Answer: Full stop - Of a butterfly, cow, and goat, which one is not a mammal?
Answer: Butterfly - What is a person’s story about their own life called?
Answer: Autobiography - Which event occurs when the Moon blocks the light from the Sun?
Answer: Solar eclipse - What crime is committed when someone steals goods from a shop?
Answer: Shoplifting - After receiving a prescription from a doctor, where would you normally go to have it filled?
Answer: Pharmacy - In business and advertising, what does PR stand for?
Answer: Public Relations
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 7
Here are another ten questions covering common vocabulary and general knowledge.
- Which colour is commonly associated with danger or warning signs?
Answer: Red - What is a diagram showing an object as if it has been cut through called?
Answer: Cross-section - What do you call someone who shares your room?
Answer: Roommate - A shape with six sides is known as what?
Answer: Hexagon - What can people watch on a screen when a projector displays moving images?
Answer: Film / Movie - What term describes a place where people live permanently?
Answer: Settlement - The daughter of your brother or sister is called what?
Answer: Niece - Who gives evidence in a court of law?
Answer: Witness - Which seabird is commonly seen around boats and coastal areas?
Answer: Seagull - What is a person who looks after children while their parents are away called?
Answer: Babysitter / Nanny
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 8
At this stage, continue without looking at the answers until you have completed each response.
- What term refers to students being present at school?
Answer: Attendance - A person who plays a musical instrument professionally is known as what?
Answer: Musician - Which word has the opposite meaning to synonym?
Answer: Antonym - What do we call a period consisting of seven days?
Answer: Week - Which part of a newspaper usually gives the main title of an article?
Answer: Headline - Where would you find petals on a plant?
Answer: Flower - Which subject focuses on events from the past?
Answer: History - On a street sign, what does the letter P commonly indicate?
Answer: Parking - How many rings appear on the Olympic flag?
Answer: Five - From which natural source does solar energy come?
Answer: The Sun
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 9
The next questions include science, medicine, newspapers, education, and everyday vocabulary.
- Which gas makes up the largest percentage of Earth’s atmosphere?
Answer: Nitrogen - What is a doctor who specialises in treating children called?
Answer: Pediatrician - Who normally treats people who are sick or injured in a hospital?
Answer: Doctor - Which newspaper section usually contains the editor’s opinion?
Answer: Editorial - Kilograms, ounces, tons, and stones are all units for measuring what?
Answer: Weight - What is the paper used to record a person’s vote called?
Answer: Ballot - Which science studies Earth’s weather and atmosphere?
Answer: Meteorology - What document shows that you have paid for something you purchased?
Answer: Receipt - A university student studying for a degree is called what before completing the degree?
Answer: Undergraduate - What do we call a set of instructions for preparing a dish?
Answer: Recipe
PTE Answer Short Questions: Practice Set 10
Finally, complete the last ten questions without checking the answers first.
- Which professional repairs and maintains electrical wiring and equipment?
Answer: Electrician - Where can people borrow books for reading or study?
Answer: Library - How would you describe an economy that depends largely on farming?
Answer: Agricultural / Rural - Which household appliance is normally used to store perishable food?
Answer: Refrigerator - Between wind and coal, which one is a renewable source of energy?
Answer: Wind - What do we call a scientist who studies organisms and their relationships with the environment?
Answer: Ecologist - What geographical term describes land completely surrounded by water?
Answer: Island - How many years make up one decade?
Answer: 10 years - Which organ controls thoughts and many other functions of the body?
Answer: Brain - Which major ocean lies between North America and Europe?
Answer: Atlantic Ocean
How to Practise PTE Answer Short Questions
Do not simply read through the questions and memorise the answers. Instead, practise them as if you were taking the actual test.
First, hide the answers and listen to or read each question. Give your response aloud as quickly and clearly as possible. Afterward, compare your answer with the suggested response.
If you make a mistake, review the vocabulary and try the question again. Similarly, keep a separate list of unfamiliar words so you can revise them later.
Another useful method is to practise ten questions at a time. For example, complete Questions 1–10 on one day and Questions 11–20 on the next day. Gradually, increase the number of questions as you become more comfortable.
Most importantly, do not focus only on memorising these exact questions. PTE questions can vary, so understanding vocabulary and listening carefully will help you deal with unfamiliar questions as well.
Common Mistakes in PTE Answer Short Questions
Giving a long answer
A long explanation is unnecessary when a single word correctly answers the question. Keep your response direct and relevant.
Answering too quickly
Although a quick response is useful, answering before hearing the complete question can lead to mistakes. Wait until you understand what the question is asking.
Speaking too fast
Fast speech does not automatically produce a better response. Clear pronunciation and an accurate answer are more important than rushing.
Losing concentration
One difficult question should not affect the next one. If you are unsure about an answer, stay focused and continue with the following question.
Depending only on memorisation
Memorised lists can help you learn vocabulary, but they should not be your only preparation method. Regular listening practice will help you understand new questions more effectively.
Final Tips for PTE Answer Short Questions
PTE Answer Short Question requires quick understanding and a concise response. For that reason, your preparation should combine listening practice with general vocabulary development.
Start with common topics such as science, geography, education, occupations, technology, and everyday objects. Then, practise answering short questions without spending too much time thinking about each response.
In addition, review your mistakes regularly. When you encounter an unfamiliar word, write it down and learn its meaning. Over time, this can make it easier to recognise the information you need during the test.
Finally, remember that a simple answer is often enough. Listen carefully, understand the question, give the relevant answer, and move on to the next item.
1 thought on “PTE Answer Short Questions 2026: 100 Practice Questions & Answers”