Complete Guide on PTE Short Answer Questions & 50+ Examples

Pearson Test of English or PTE Academic examination assesses your English proficiency skills across various domains such as Speaking, Listening, Reading, and Writing. The Answer Short Questions (ASQ) task is one of the important tests of this examination that you need to pass in the speaking section. This test evaluates your ability to understand spoken English and its usage. You must respond promptly to all questions with concise and accurate answers. Through this Complete Guide on PTE Short Answer Questions & 50+ Examples, we will come to understand everything about the ASQ examination, important tips to excel in the examination, 50 practice examples to start your PTE preparation effectively & much more. 

Understanding PTE Short Answer Questions

During your ASQ task, you have to answer a question within  3 seconds. The time provided to answer your question will be three seconds. The questions of the examination are not complicated, the exam comprises simple questions which are based on everyday topics and your general knowledge. You need to give a brief answer, typically in one or two words, for each question. 

Scoring Criteria

Your response will be evaluated on these criteria: 

• Relevance: Is your answer relevant to the question that is asked in the examination?
• Accuracy: Your answer must be precise and accurate, answering the question precisely. 
• Fluency: Your speech should be clear, and you must answer all the questions carefully without any errors or hesitations in your pronunciation.

PTE Answer Short Questions Tips & Tricks to Get High Scores

Carefully Listening

This section evaluates the listening skills of the candidates. Concentration is the main key as they have the chance to answer the questions promptly. You must focus on the specific keywords before answering your questions. For example, 

What do we call a person flying an airplane?

The main keywords of this question are airplane and fly. 

‘Pilot’ is the correct answer. 

You can improve your listening skills by practicing PTE mock tests and listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and daily news.

Think Quickly

You have three seconds to properly respond to the questions asked during the interview. Do not waste your time formatting longer answers. You just have to give a precise answer in one word or phrase. You should make sure that you pronounce clearly and respond to all the questions carefully without any mistakes or hesitations to score well. A rapid response to the questions can assist you in scoring well on your examination. 

Keep Your Answers Short & Simple

Avoid answering in full sentences when you can answer your question in one to two words. 

Examples:

• Incorrect: A person who teaches students in school or colleges is called a Teacher.

Correct: Teacher

• Incorrect: A formal treaty or agreement between two or more states is called an Alliance.

Correct: Alliance

• Incorrect: Mass is the scientific term denoting the quantity of matter contained within an object. 

Correct: Mass

Sharpen Your General  Knowledge

The questions asked in the examination are not complicated however, they are based on your general knowledge & examples from everyday life. 

Some examples:

• What do bees produce? → Honey
• What is the capital of France? → Paris
• What do we call the baby of a dog? → Puppy

Recognize Synonyms & Paraphrasing

The meaning of the question remains the same however, they can be paraphrased differently, depicting the same meaning. 

For example, what is a doctor called who holds a specialization in teeth?

Answer: Dentist

Your vocabulary is improved by reading newspapers, and books, and practicing the question banks.

Do Question-wise Practice

Practice the questions of a similar type, as it helps you to become familiar with the format and types of questions asked in the examination.

Speak Clearly

PTE makes use of AI to recognize your voice, so pronunciation highly matters to check your vocabulary skills. 

Avoid:

• Do not speak too fast while answering the questions asked in the examination 
• Speaking too softly shows that you lack confidence while answering the questions. 
• Do not use incorrect pronunciation, as your correct pronunciation shows a higher level of confidence in the examination. 

Improve Your Vocabulary

Familiarize yourself with all important topics and improve your vocabulary skills in various categories such as education, technology, mathematics, science, health, sports, astronomy, history, civilization, astronomy, space, and psychology. 

PTE Short Answer Questions & 50+ Examples

Over fifty sample questions are available to assist you in studying well for your examination. 

Question 1: What is the name of the policy that aims to equalize wealth distribution in society?

Answer: Socialism

Question 2: What is a formal treaty or agreement between two or more states called?

Answer: Alliance

Question 3: Every municipal government has its leader who leads the whole group. What is the one word for the leader of a municipal government?

Answer: Mayor

Question 4: Name a popular Greek Philosopher who was known for his method of questioning in unique ways. 

Answer: Socrates

Question 5: Which is the famous trade route between the Mediterranean and China?

Answer: The Silk Road

Question 6: Which is the best-known ancient civilization for the Olympic Games?

Answer: Greek

Question 7: Mention a dominant language for the Roman Empire.

Answer: Latin

Question 8: Name the term used to denote the amount of space occupied by an object. 

Answer: Volume

Question 9: What is the term used to define the rate of using energy or the rate of doing work?

Answer: Power

Question 10: Which is the most popular instrument used for measuring atmospheric pressure?

Answer: Barometer

Question 11: Transparent materials allow light to pass through them. What is the term used for materials that do not allow light to pass through them? 

Answer: Translucent

Question 12: Which material does not allow the electric current to flow through it easily? 

Answer: Insulator

Question 13: The picture of which politician is illustrated on the notes of Indian currency? Is there any National Day celebrated in his name?

Answer: Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. 2nd October is celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti every year, which is the National Day of India. 

Question 14: What is the name of the trade that covers training in garment production, garment designing, and new sewing techniques?

Answer: Sewing Technology 

Question 15: Legend says an ancient civilization started the Olympics. Name that ancient civilization.

Answer: The Greek Civilization 

Question 16: During the Cold War, which nation experienced a division into Eastern & Western sectors?

Answer: Germany

Question 17: In linguistic terms, which language held the most influence across the Roman Empire?

Answer: Latin

Question 18: Do you have any idea about the war entailed from 1914 to 1918? What is it called?

Answer: World War I

Question 19: A city was targeted by the first atomic bomb explosion in 1945. Name that city.

Answer: Hiroshima

Question 20: Could you specify the name and period of the war waged between the North & the South regions of the United States?  

Answer: The Civil War

Question 21: From which nation did the United States receive the Statue of Liberty as a gift? 

Answer: France 

Question 22: The thermal energy or heat moves through fluids (Gas or Liquid)—what’s that called again?

Answer: Convection

Question 23: By what quantity is the spatial extent of an object defined, or how do you measure the space an object occupies?

Answer: Volume

Question 24: Mention the property that describes a fluid's resistance to flow.

Answer: Viscosity

Question 25: Name the precise term for the temperature at which a liquid transforms into vapor upon heating. 

 Answer: Boiling point

Question 26: What’s the scientific term for when radiation gets absorbed & then re-emitted but with a shift in its wavelength? 

 Answer: Fluorescence

Question 27: When the waves pass by, one after another, what do we name their fleeting rhythm in a single breath of time?

Answer: Frequency

Question 28: By what term is the orbital trajectory of a body revolving around another in space designated?

Answer: Orbit

Question 29: Determine the scientific term denoting the quantity of matter contained within an object. 

Answer: Mass

Question 30: Mention a phase transition in which a solid transforms directly from a solid state to a gas phase without passing through a liquid state first.

Answer: Sublimation

Question 31: If we consider an object at rest in a gravitational field, what would we name its capacity to do work by its position? 

Answer: Potential Energy

Question 32: When velocity and mass determine the energy of an object, what is the term used to describe this quantity?

Answer: Kinetic energy

Question 33: Mention the name of the unseen force that opposes motion between two touching surfaces.

Answer: Friction Force

Question 34: Can you identify the smallest unit of an element that retains its properties in chemical processes?

Answer: Atom

Question 35: Name the creature that bears their young ones in nature’s gentle cradle, a pouch of soft embrace.

Answer: Marsupial

Question 36: What's the underwater creature that grows eight arms and pulls an ink cloud from its head?

Answer: Octopus 

Question 37: Examining the different phases of the cell cycle, which phase constitutes the predominant duration of a cell's existence?

Answer: Interphase

Question 38: Which non-verbal cues, particularly facial expressions, demonstrate the highest efficacy in message transmission?

Answer: Sign Language | Body Language 

Question 39: Which specialized avian structure functions as a sound-producing organ in birds’ throats?

Answer: Syrinx 

Question 40: Name the animal group that doesn't have any bones inside.

Answer: Invertebrates

Question 41: What is the term for organisms capable of aquatic and terrestrial habitation?

Answer: Amphibian | Amphibians

Question 42: By what name is the winter slumber of beasts known?

Answer: Hibernation

Question 43: Could you provide the designated nomenclature for your self-authored biographical piece?

Answer: Autobiography

Question 44: In which specific section of newspapers is the editor’s opinion typically found?

Answer: Editorial

Question 45: Mention the name of the trade where you study about the climate & weather of the Earth.

Answer: Meteorology

Question 46: How do you denote a public institution housing a collection of books & novels?

Answer: Library 

Question 47: Which scientist specializes in observing the behavioral patterns and ecological interactions of organisms in their native environments? 

Answer: Ecologist

Question 48: In which geographical location would one reside if the nation is entirely encircled by water?

Answer: Island

Question 49: Who is the sharp-minded crime investigator who chases clues and cracks crime mysteries?

Answer: Detective

Question 50: What’s that one government-issued identification mandatory for cross-border transit?

Answer: Passport

Conclusion

Short Answer Questions in the PTE constitute a critical component of the Listening section, assessing candidates' proficiency in comprehending and promptly responding to spoken English. Proficiency in this task enhances both your PTE examination results and your practical communication abilities in authentic contexts. This Complete Guide on PTE Short Answer Questions & 50+ Examples identifies the significance of the ASQ examination with 50 practice examples to start your PTE preparation effectively.

The examination consists of straightforward questions derived from common everyday subjects, current affairs, and general knowledge. Engaging in mock examinations will provide you with an authentic simulation of the actual testing experience. Every practice session, every new fact you learn, and every listening exercise brings you one step closer to test-day confidence and success!

Consult Jagvimal Consultants and prepare for your PTE exam in the best way possible, fulfilling your dream of studying abroad with world-class academic facilities!