PTE template · Framework

PTE Respond to a Situation Template: a 3-move 40-second response for every scenario

Respond to a Situation (RTS) is one of two new tasks Pearson added on 7 August 2025. You are shown a short situation on screen (up to 60 words) which is also read aloud, you have 60 seconds to read it, 10 seconds to prepare, and then 40 seconds to speak your response. There are 2 to 3 RTS items per PTE Academic test. Pearson scores Content (AI + human review), Oral Fluency (AI only) and Pronunciation (AI only). This is one of the 7 hybrid-scored task types, so a response that actually addresses the situation matters more than a slick delivery of a memorised script.

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Quick answer

The Respond to a Situation template is a 3-move spoken response fitted to the scenario: acknowledge the person and situation (5 to 8 seconds), address every explicit task in the situation (20 to 25 seconds), then close with a next step, apology or offer (8 to 12 seconds). Total: 40 seconds at natural pace. Read the situation carefully in the 60 second window and note every task the scenario asks you to handle.

Read this first

RTS Content is scored by AI plus a human examiner. A memorised script that ignores the actual situation earns 0 on Content and zeroes the whole item. The frame below is a skeleton, not a fixed response. Every acknowledgement, every task response and every close must reference the specific people, places and requests in the scenario on screen. Never leave stock text in.

The framework

How the framework works

Read the sections in order. Each one is a step of the framework, with adaptable sentence starters you fill from the actual prompt.

The 3-move response structure (40 seconds)

Move 1 - Acknowledge (5 to 8 seconds): "[Greeting or opener that names the person], I understand that [restate the situation in one clause]." Move 2 - Address every explicit task (20 to 25 seconds): Every scenario lists 2 or 3 things you must do (apologise + propose alternative, decline + explain + offer to help another time, ask for information + explain why). Handle each in a distinct sentence. - Sentence A: "[First task, e.g. apology or explanation]." - Sentence B: "[Second task, e.g. request or alternative]." - Sentence C: "[Third task if the situation has one, e.g. specific detail or reassurance]." Move 3 - Close (8 to 12 seconds): "[Forward-looking sentence: propose a next step, offer to talk further, express thanks or reassurance.]" Total target: roughly 35 to 40 seconds at 135 to 150 wpm.

Reading the situation: the 3 things to extract in 60 seconds

Every RTS scenario gives you three pieces of information you MUST use: 1. THE RELATIONSHIP + REGISTER. Are you speaking to a friend, a classmate, a lecturer, a colleague, a manager, a customer? This sets the tone (informal, semi-formal, formal). A friend gets 'Hey Priya', a lecturer gets 'Dear Professor Adams'. 2. THE SITUATION. What happened, and what is your role in it (apologiser, requester, informer, complainant)? Your opener must reflect the correct role. 3. THE 2 TO 3 EXPLICIT TASKS. The prompt will list specific things you must do ("apologise AND propose", "decline AND suggest", "ask AND explain"). Every listed task must appear in your Move 2. Missing a task drops Content sharply.

Register: matching your tone to the person

INFORMAL (writing to a friend, roommate, classmate): - Warm opener: 'Hey [Name],' or 'Hi [Name],' - Contractions natural: 'I'll', 'I'm', 'don't' - Conversational verbs: 'catch up later', 'sort it out', 'let me know' - Casual close: 'Thanks so much, talk soon.' SEMI-FORMAL (writing to a colleague, manager, university tutor): - Neutral opener: 'Hi [Name],' or 'Dr [Surname],' - Fewer contractions, more measured verbs: 'confirm', 'follow up', 'appreciate' - Professional close: 'Thanks for your understanding, I'll be in touch soon.' FORMAL (writing to a client, senior official, service provider you do not know): - Full opener: 'Dear Mr/Ms [Surname],' or 'Good morning,' - No contractions: 'I am writing to', 'I would like to' - Precise verbs: 'apologise', 'request', 'confirm', 'reschedule' - Formal close: 'Thank you for your understanding, I look forward to hearing from you.'

What to do in the 10 second preparation window

1. Confirm the register by looking at the recipient name and role. 2. Silently rehearse the acknowledgement sentence: '[Greeting], I understand that [restate the situation].' 3. List the 2 to 3 explicit tasks on your fingers. If the prompt says 'apologise AND propose an alternative', both must appear. 4. Take one deep breath. Do not fill the 10 seconds with anxious re-reading; you already read for 60 seconds. Do NOT try to memorise a full script. Your 60 seconds of reading and 10 seconds of prep have already built the skeleton. Delivery is now the priority.

What Pearson scores on Respond to a Situation

Three traits, per the July 2025 Score Guide: - Content: did you acknowledge the situation, address every explicit task, and close appropriately? Scored by AI PLUS a human examiner (RTS is one of 7 hybrid task types). - Oral Fluency: smooth, connected 40 second delivery. Long pauses, restarts and filler cost Fluency. - Pronunciation: clear stress placement and articulation. Names of people and places (from the scenario) should be pronounced distinctly enough for the AI to transcribe them. RTS contributes to your Speaking score only (it does not affect Listening even though the scenario is read aloud, because the reading is a comprehension aid rather than a listening comprehension test). If Content = 0, the whole item scores 0 with no further scoring.

The most common RTS mistakes

- Skipping a task from the scenario. If the prompt says 'apologise, explain the reason, AND propose an alternative', all three must appear. Missing one is the fastest way to lose Content. - Wrong register. Being overly formal with a friend ('Dear Priya, I regret to inform you...') or overly casual with a manager ('Hey boss, so I can't make it, my bad') both hurt Content. - Inventing extra details that contradict the scenario. If the scenario says you missed the meeting because of a flight delay, do not invent 'the taxi driver got lost' - stick to what the scenario provided. - Running out of content before 40 seconds are up. If you finish early, close with a rephrased reassurance or an offer to talk further, rather than sitting silent. - Reading the scenario aloud instead of responding to it. RTS is a role-play response; a transcription of the situation is not a response and earns very little Content.

Worked examples

The framework applied

Same framework, different prompts. Each answer is filled with real content, not a memorised script.

Example 1You have 60 seconds to read, 10 seconds to prepare, then 40 seconds to speak.

Scenario (48 words on screen): 'Your friend Priya has invited you to her birthday dinner next Saturday. You cannot attend because you have a family commitment that evening. Leave her a voice message that: apologises for not being able to come, explains briefly why, and suggests meeting up next week instead.'

Framework-filled answer

Hey Priya, thanks so much for the invite to your birthday dinner next Saturday. I am really sorry, but I am not going to be able to make it. My cousin is visiting from overseas that same evening and it is the only night the whole family can get together, so I have to be there. I would still love to celebrate with you, though. Could I take you out for lunch or coffee next week instead? Any day that works for you, I will make it work. Have an amazing night on Saturday, and give my love to everyone.

Why this scores: Roughly 100 words, delivered in about 38 seconds at 155 wpm. Informal register matches a friend (warm opener, contractions, casual close). All three explicit tasks addressed: apology (sentence 2), reason (sentence 3), alternative proposal (sentence 5 and 6). The final sentence adds a natural warm close that lifts Content above the minimum.

Example 2You have 60 seconds to read, 10 seconds to prepare, then 40 seconds to speak.

Scenario (52 words on screen): 'You booked a hotel room in Melbourne through a travel website for three nights. On arrival the hotel had no record of your booking. Phone the travel website's customer service to: explain the situation, ask them to find you a similar room at another hotel tonight, and request a refund of the original booking.'

Framework-filled answer

Good afternoon, I am calling about a booking I made through your website for a three-night stay at the Southbank Hotel in Melbourne. When I arrived, the hotel told me there was no record of my reservation and they had no rooms available for the dates. I need your help urgently. Could you please locate a similar room at a nearby hotel for tonight, at your cost, since I am standing at reception with my luggage right now? I would also like to request a full refund of the original booking. Please call me back on this number as soon as you have a resolution.

Why this scores: Roughly 105 words, delivered in about 40 seconds at 155 wpm. Formal-external register matches calling a customer service line (full opener, no contractions, precise verbs). All three explicit tasks addressed: situation explanation (sentence 1 and 2), request for alternative room (sentence 4), refund request (sentence 5). The specific detail 'standing at reception with my luggage' shows urgency and grounds the response in the scenario.

Example 3You have 60 seconds to read, 10 seconds to prepare, then 40 seconds to speak.

Scenario (49 words on screen): 'You are working on a group assignment with two classmates. One of them, Marcus, has not contributed anything and the deadline is tomorrow. Speak to Marcus in person to: explain the situation without accusing him, ask what has been going on, and agree on which specific section he will complete tonight.'

Framework-filled answer

Hey Marcus, do you have a minute? I wanted to catch up about the group assignment, because the deadline is tomorrow and I have not seen any of your sections in the shared document yet. I am not trying to have a go at you, I just want to make sure we are all on the same page. Is everything alright at your end? What has been going on this week? Look, whatever it is, we can still get this done tonight if we split the last part. Could you take the analysis section? I can polish the intro and conclusion once yours is in.

Why this scores: Roughly 105 words, delivered in about 40 seconds at 155 wpm. Semi-formal peer register (contractions, warm but direct tone). All three tasks addressed: non-accusatory explanation (sentence 2 and 3), asking what has been going on (sentence 5), agreeing on a specific section (sentence 7). The 'not trying to have a go at you' softener is what stops the response reading as an accusation and keeps Content honest to the scenario.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best PTE Respond to a Situation strategy?

A 3-move response fitted to the scenario: acknowledge the person and situation (5 to 8 seconds), address every explicit task the scenario asks you to handle (20 to 25 seconds), close with a next step or offer (8 to 12 seconds). Total 40 seconds. Match the register to the recipient named in the scenario (friend, colleague, customer service).

How many Respond to a Situation items are on the PTE Academic test?

2 to 3 items per test per Pearson's July 2025 Score Guide. RTS is one of two new task types added on 7 August 2025 (the other is Summarise Group Discussion). It sits in Part 1 (Speaking and Writing) and contributes to your Speaking score only.

How much time do I get for RTS?

60 seconds to read the situation on screen (it is also read aloud during this window), 10 seconds to prepare your response, then 40 seconds to speak. Total 110 seconds per item. This is the only speaking task with a 60 second reading window built in, which reflects the fact that the scenario is longer than other speaking prompts.

Is Respond to a Situation scored by AI or by a human?

Both. RTS is one of 7 PTE Academic task types where Content is scored by AI plus a human expert reviewer. The other 6 are Describe Image, Retell Lecture, Summarize Group Discussion, Summarize Written Text, Write Essay, and Summarize Spoken Text. Oral Fluency and Pronunciation are AI-only, always.

Should I match the exact register described in the RTS scenario?

Yes. Register is part of Content scoring on RTS. A formal response to a friend ('Dear Priya, I regret to inform you') or a casual response to a manager ('Hey boss, my bad, cannot come in today') both cost Content marks. The scenario names the person and role for a reason: use it to calibrate your opener, verbs and close.

What if I miss a task listed in the scenario?

Content drops sharply. Every scenario lists 2 to 3 explicit tasks (apologise + propose, decline + explain, ask + reassure) and every listed task must appear in your response. If you finish speaking with an unaddressed task, add it in the final 5 seconds even briefly ('and I would also like to request X') rather than leaving it out entirely.

Can I invent details in my RTS response?

Only ones that support what the scenario already establishes. If the scenario says you missed a meeting because of a flight delay, you can add a plausible detail ('my flight from Sydney was delayed by three hours') but do not contradict the scenario ('actually I overslept'). Contradictions cost Content because they no longer respond to the given situation.