Original BandLadder material
It teaches a 4-step method: listen, topic, points and takeaway. Along the way you get worked examples with the key words marked, before-and-after fixes that show why the first version loses marks, a model answer with its key moves highlighted, a one-page visual summary, a quick check to test yourself and a recap of the rules to remember. Each card holds one idea, so you can read it on a phone between practice sessions.
With a free BandLadder account you can read the first three cards online in our study reader, on the web and in the app. The other 7 cards and the PDF download come with any plan.
The first 2 of 10 cards
why keyword piles score low
You try to replay the whole lecture, or read your notes back as a list. Neither is a retell.
Tidal. Twelve turbines. Four thousand homes. Slow. Costly.no meaning Wind. Predictable.
Content rewards ideas joined in order, not a pile of words.
the official figures
| PTE Academic | PTE Core | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Speak up to 40 s | Not in Core |
| Scored on | Content 6 · Fluency 5 · Pronunciation 5 | Not in Core |
| Counts for | Listening + Speaking | Not in Core |
Timings: Pearson's test format. Scoring and skills: its Score Guides (Academic July 2025, Core January 2026).
Card 3 of 10 onwards
Card 3 is free too
Create a free account for card 3; the other 7 come with any plan.
Create a free account →10 cards
Start Retell Lecture: topic to takeaway free
Create a free account to read the first 3 cards. The full lesson and its PDF come with any plan.
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Questions
The first three cards are free to read online with a free BandLadder account. The full lesson opens with any plan.
The PDF download comes with any BandLadder plan. Free accounts read the lesson online in the study reader, on the web and in the app.
The BandLadder team wrote and checked it. It is original BandLadder material, not copied from books or other websites, and its exam facts are checked against the official IELTS and PTE pages.
It is written for PTE Academic.
IELTS is a registered trademark of the University of Cambridge, the British Council and IDP Education Australia. PTE is a trademark of Pearson. BandLadder is not affiliated with either.
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