PTE Speaking: Repeat Sentence: Tips and Strategies
This Speaking question requires you to repeat the sentence you hear in an audio played automatically. After the audio finishes, the microphone is open and you can see ‘Recording’ in the recording status box. You need to speak exactly what you heard in the microphone.
Understand Repeat Sentence
Prompt length: 3-9 seconds
Preparation time: You will have 1-2 seconds to prepare before speaking
Speaking time: Around 15 seconds to repeat exactly what you heard
Skills assessed: Listening and speaking
Attempting the question: Once you hear the audio, the microphone is open for recording. Repeat the sentence as you hear it. Once you stop speaking the ‘Recording’ bar changes to ‘Completed’.
IMPORTANT: If you remain silent for longer than 3 seconds, the recording will stop.
Scoring: Your score for this question is based on three factors:
- 1. Content: Make sure you include all the words said in the audio and nothing more than that.
- 2. Oral fluency Ensure that you do not hesitate while recording. A smooth, effortless, and natural rate of speech is scored well.
- 3. Pronunciation: Your speech and words must be understandable by regular speakers of the language.
No credit is given for an incorrect or no response.
Tips and strategies to answer Repeat Sentence
- 1. Listen to the phrasing of the sentence: It is better to distribute the sentence in 2-3 phrases to help you understand and memorize it better. For example: The beautiful sunset / painted the sky / orange and pink. The three parts provide three different information giving you a better chance of repeating what you heard.
- 2. Copy the stress and intonation pattern: Make a mental note of the stress and intonation of the speaker. This will help you in similarly conveying the message.
- 3. Stay calm: It is essential that you stay calm and do not hesitate while speaking. This may have a bad impact on your score.
- 4. Practice: Listen to various accents and try to copy the speaker to get a hold of this question type.
For more tips and strategies, you can register with SGES Education.
