PTE · Respond to a Situation

Family Weddings and Celebrations: PTE Respond to a Situation practice questions

5 original Respond to a Situation questions. Question 1 is free to record, play back and compare with a sample answer right here; log in free to practise the rest in the BandLadder app.
  • 5 questions
  • Question 1 free, no login
  • PTE Academic and PTE Core
1

Requesting Leave for Sister's Wedding

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Read and listen to the situation below. You have 10 seconds to prepare (20 in PTE Core), then 40 seconds to say what you would say. Answer as fully as you can.

You are a university student attending your sister's wedding abroad next month. You need to miss a compulsory seminar on Friday the twelfth. You are speaking to your module tutor to explain your absence and arrange how to catch up on the missed work. What would you say to your tutor?

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Questions 2–5

Read and listen to the situation below. You have 10 seconds to prepare (20 in PTE Core), then 40 seconds to say what you would say. Answer as fully as you can.

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2

Declining a Reception Invitation

Your close colleague has invited you to their evening wedding reception next Saturday. However, you cannot attend because your grandparents are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary on the same evening. You are speaking to your colleague at work to decline the invitation politely. What would you say to your colleague?

3

Rescheduling Shift for Family Christening

You work part-time in a retail shop and have been scheduled to work this Sunday. However, you are the godparent at your nephew's christening that morning. You are speaking to your store manager to explain the clash and ask if you can swap shifts with a co-worker. What would you say to your manager?

4

Explaining Group Presentation Delay

You are working on a joint university presentation due on Monday. Your cousin's weekend wedding celebrations mean you will have no internet access from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. You are speaking to your project partner to explain the situation and coordinate your contributions. What would you say to your classmate?

5

Complaining to a Wedding Caterer

You booked a catering company for your parents' silver wedding anniversary party this Saturday. The manager has just informed you that two requested vegetarian options will not be available due to ingredient shortages. You are speaking to the caterer to express your concern and demand suitable alternatives. What would you say to the caterer?

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