Updated
Write from Dictation counts towards Listening and Writing and comes 3–4 times at the end of the PTE Academic Listening part. Pearson instructs you to use only the words you heard, in their original order.
These are BandLadder-original recordings, not official Pearson questions. In the exam each sentence plays once; play each sample once, write what you heard, then open the answer. To have your typing marked word by word, practise it on the set page.
Listen once, write, then reveal
10 PTE Write from Dictation sample questions
Sample 1 · Airships and Aeronautical History
Helium Gas Storage
Speaker: American English · 0:04
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The engineer examined the storage tanks before opening the valves.
Watch out: Listen for the past tense verb examined and the plural ending on valves.
Sample 2 · Development of Early Bicycles
Timber Frame Construction
Speaker: Indian English · 0:05
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Early wooden machines required frequent adjustments after long journeys.
Watch out: Listen carefully for the past tense ending on required and the plural endings on machines and adjustments.
Sample 3 · Evolution of Zip Fasteners
Early Metal Fastener Prototypes
Speaker: American English · 0:05
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The early metal fasteners required precise alignment of interlocking teeth.
Watch out: Listen carefully for the plural endings on fasteners and teeth.
Sample 4 · Global Water Resources
Groundwater Extraction Rates
Speaker: Indian English · 0:05
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Several agricultural regions have depleted their deepest underground reserves.
Watch out: Listen carefully for the past participle depleted and the plural endings on regions and reserves.
Sample 5 · History of Fountain Pens
Ink Reservoir Development
Speaker: Australian English · 0:05
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Early inventors created internal reservoirs to prevent accidental ink leaks.
Watch out: Listen carefully for the past tense ending on created and the plural endings on reservoirs and leaks.
Sample 6 · Long Distance Running Physiology
Carbohydrate Storage Strategies
Speaker: British English · 0:05
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Athletes have increased their intake of carbohydrates before the weekend race.
Watch out: Listen for the past participle increased and the plural ending on carbohydrates.
Sample 7 · Music and Fine Arts Studies
Classical Piano Recitals
Speaker: Australian English · 0:05
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The advanced piano students have performed several classical pieces.
Watch out: Be careful with the plural noun students, the auxiliary verb have, and the past participle ending on performed.
Sample 8 · Principles of Hot Air Balloons
Morning Flight Conditions
Speaker: British English · 0:05
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Early morning flights provide stable air for inexperienced pilots.
Watch out: Listen carefully for the plural endings on flights and pilots.
Sample 9 · Sleep Science and Health
Sleep and Memory Consolidation
Speaker: American English · 0:05
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Deep rest helps the brain retain important memories from daily tasks.
Watch out: Listen carefully for the plural endings on memories and tasks.
Sample 10 · The History of Chocolate
Ancient Cacao Cultivation
Speaker: Australian English · 0:04
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Early farmers planted bitter beans along the shaded river banks.
Watch out: Listen carefully for the plural endings on beans and banks.
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Take a free mock →Write from Dictation sample questions: FAQ
What is PTE Write from Dictation?+
You hear one short sentence, once, and type it exactly as you heard it, with every word spelled correctly. It is in PTE Academic and PTE Core.
How long is the recording?+
3–5 seconds: one sentence. It plays automatically, once, with no pausing or replay.
How many Write from Dictation questions are in the PTE test?+
Pearson's PTE Academic Score Guide (July 2025) lists 3–4 Write from Dictation items, the last items of the Listening part. Each counts towards both Listening and Writing.
How is Write from Dictation scored?+
One point per correct, correctly spelled word of the sentence. A ten-word sentence is worth ten points, so getting most of it right still scores well.
Does spelling count in Write from Dictation?+
Yes. Pearson gives a point only for a correct, correctly spelled word, so a misspelled word scores zero for that word. British and American spellings are both accepted.
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