Understanding the Listening Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers Task in PTE Academic, UKVI & Core

The Listening: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers task is part of the Listening section in the PTE exam. It checks how well we understand spoken English in academic settings. We need to identify main ideas, key details, and implied meaning. The hard part is choosing every correct answer. Picking even one wrong option can lower our score. This task is an important test of our listening, thinking, and judgment.

What is the Listening: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers Task?

  • You have to listen to a 30–90 sec audio, which will be played only once
  • Then you need to select all the correct options from a list of provided options
  • Selection of Wrong choices reduces your marks
  • This task appears 2–3 times in the Listening section
  • There is no separate timer for this task, and it is a part of the Listening section

What are the skills analysed during this task?

  • Understand the main idea and supporting information
  • Distinguish relevant content from distractions or incorrect details
  • Recognize tone, purpose, and implications of spoken content
  • Analyze and evaluate spoken academic texts

Key Features of the Task

  • You listen to an audio once—no replay option
  • You must select more than one correct answer
  • Incorrect selections reduce your score
  • There is no separate timer per question; it’s included in the overall Listening section
  • Typically, 2–3 questions of this type appear in the test
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Types of Audio in the Listening Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers Task

Being familiar with different kinds of listening passages helps anticipate what to focus on during the task.
Academic Lectures
Structured presentations on academic subjects. Focus on main points, supporting examples, and contrasts.
Example topics: Scientific research, Cultural studies, Environmental policy
Discussions or Interviews
Dialogues or multi-speaker exchanges. Pay attention to different viewpoints and shifting topics.
Example topics: Business trends, Historical interpretations, Media ethics
Informative Explanations
Expository content explaining a process or idea. Note cause-and-effect relationships and technical terms.
Example topics: Economic systems, Health advice, Technological change

Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

In this task, you will see a text displayed on the screen. You are required to read the text aloud clearly and naturally. You will have 35 seconds to complete your reading, so focus on maintaining clarity, proper pronunciation, and a natural flow.

Sample Question 1:

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The purpose of this talk is to
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Sample Question 2:

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What can be inferred about New York City?
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Sample Question 3:

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According to the audio, the Galapagos Islands ____
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Practice more Sample Question
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Tips for Acing the PTE Listening: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers Practice Task

Listen actively and take notes
Write down keywords, examples, and shifts in topic while we listen. These notes help us judge the options later.
Read the prompt first
Before the audio starts, scan the question to know what to listen for (main idea, opinion, detail).
Cut out wrong choices
Use our notes and memory to remove options that clash with or do not match the audio.
Spot paraphrased points
Correct answers often use synonyms or reworded lines from the audio, not the exact phrasing.
Do not pick too many
Each wrong pick costs points, so choose only the options we trust.

How to Tackle Listening: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers in PTE

A focused, clear method boosts our accuracy and speed in this task.

Step-by-Step Strategy

Read the question carefully
Know if the task asks for specific facts, a summary, or the speaker’s view.
Listen and take notes
Capture key terms, names, numbers, examples, and any change in tone or topic. Note main points, supporting facts, comparisons, and any changes in tone or direction.
Analyze Each Option
Ask yourself: Was this idea mentioned? Is it supported or contradicted by the speaker?
Select Only Clearly Correct Answers
Avoid the temptation to “cover your bases” by selecting extras—it could cost you points.
Move On with Confidence
Don’t dwell too long on one question. Keep track of your timing for the entire Listening section.
Read the question carefully
Know if the task asks for specific facts, a summary, or the speaker’s view.
Listen and take notes
Capture key terms, names, numbers, examples, and any change in tone or topic. Note main points, supporting facts, comparisons, and any changes in tone or direction.
Analyze Each Option
Ask yourself: Was this idea mentioned? Is it supported or contradicted by the speaker?
Select Only Clearly Correct Answers
Avoid the temptation to “cover your bases” by selecting extras—it could cost you points.
Move On with Confidence
Don’t dwell too long on one question. Keep track of your timing for the entire Listening section.
By familiarizing yourself with various audio types and practicing regularly, you can gain confidence in tackling the Listening Multiple Choice Multiple Answers effectively, ultimately boosting your PTE Academic, UKVI, or Core score.

Use full video for Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers

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Learn more about other questions

Your Guide to Every Section of the PTE Exam

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Speaking
Read AloudRepeat SentenceDescribe ImageRe-Tell Lecture (Academic / UKVI)Answer Short QuestionRespond to a SituationSummarize Group Discussion (Academic / UKVI)
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Writing
Summarize Written TextWrite Essay
Write Email (Core)
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Reading
Fill in the Blanks (Drop Down)Multiple Choice, Multiple AnswersRe-order ParagraphsFill in the Blanks (Drag & Drop)Multiple Choice, Single Answer
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Listening
Summarize Spoken TextMultiple Choice, Multiple AnswersFill in the BlanksHighlight Correct SummaryMultiple Choice, Single AnswerSelect Missing WordHighlight Incorrect WordsWrite from Dictation

FAQs

Here are answers to some of the frequently asked questions.

This task usually has 2-3 questions in the Listening section per exam.

This task is about 30-90 seconds long and can only be played once.

This does not have any individual timer, but is a part of the Listening section.

For each correct answer, full marks; for each incorrect answer, a reduced mark.

Yes, you can change your answers till the timer ends, or you click ‘Next’.

Yes, this task contributes to your Listening scores.