Understanding the Respond to Situation Task in PTE Academic / UKVI

The Respond to a Situation task, previously part of the PTE Core exam has now been introduced in the PTE Academic and UKVI Exams starting from August 7, 2025. It is considered an important part of the Speaking section of the Academic test, which was recently added.
This task evaluates your capacity to understand a given scenario and respond properly, showing your communication skills in both everyday and academic settings. You'll have a short time to respond with clarity and confidence.
More than just speaking fluency, this task considers how well you can examine the context, think quickly, and deliver a response that is relevant, well-structured, and real.
Achieving mastery in this task can seriously improve your Speaking score since it tests your ability to manage successful real-world communication methods. You can reply to the test with superb clarity and confidence if you practice continually and use the right preparation techniques.

What is the Respond to Situation Task?

In the Respond to a Situation task of the PTE Academic / UKVI Speaking section, you’re assigned a detailed plan or immediate response and expected to respond properly based on the context. You’ll have 10 seconds to prepare, after which the microphone will open for your response.
This task considers your skill in solving situational cues, responding properly, and speaking in a genuine, fluent style. It simultaneously tests both your understanding and spoken communication talents.
The key challenge is to quickly learn the scenario and deliver a well-structured, clear answer within the given time. You must aim to be brief, readable, and contextually correct in managing the prompt effectively.
video-img

Types of Situations in the Respond to Situation Task

In the Respond to a Situation task of the PTE Academic / UKVI Speaking section, the methods can vary widely. Comprehending the type of situation allows you to prepare a more relevant and well-structured answer.
Individual or Social Scenarios
These affect day-to-day relations — for example, responding to a friend’s recommendation, turning down an invitation, or displaying preference.
Example: Your friend asks you to dinner, but you already have plans. How would you decline?
Workplace or Professional Contexts
These are related to professional environments and may include creating requests, presenting delays, or giving feedback.
Example: A colleague requests for help with a report, but you’re tied up with other tasks. What would you say?
Academic or Educational Interactions
These affect communication within an educational setting, such as asking for clarification, discussing assignments, or coordinating with classmates.
Example: You missed a class and want to request your teacher for the notes. How do you represent your appeal?
Customer Service or Public Relations
These scenarios are common service-related conditions like asking for help, writing a complaint, or requesting information.
Example: You’ve received the wrong item in a delivery. How would you reach customer service to fix it?
Problem-Solving or Conflict Cases
These need you to take a challenge or fix an issue, often applying a clear answer and calm communication.
Example: Your phone has stopped working, and you need to clarify the problem with customer support. How do you do it?

Length and Structure of Respond to a Situation Task

There is a precise structure to the Respond to a Situation task, and being prepared can help you perform with confidence.
  • Prompt Length: The procedure is usually short—just one or two sentences—that present the context and what kind of response is expected.
  • Preparation Time: You’ll get 10 seconds to consider before the microphone opens. Use this moment to prepare your key points.
  • Speaking Time: You then have 40 seconds to deliver an exact, methodical, and suitable response.
Tip: Start with a powerful opening, respond directly to the procedure, and complete smoothly. Don’t overthink — just stay suitable and calm.
respond-situation

Respond to a Situation

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 | # 1000001
Beginning in 10 sec
Discuss the process of resolving a conflict with a co-worker or friend in a constructive manner.
00:0000:00
0
0
1
volume-image
0
1
1
Click to Start
00:000:40
volume-image
0
1
1
Practice with AI Scoring
Restart
Sample Question 2 | # 1000002
Beginning in 10 sec
You are a guest speaker at a conference. You have prepared a presentation on a topic related to your field of expertise. However, when you arrive at the venue, you realize that the projector is not working. You have to deliver your presentation without any visual aids. Question: How would you adapt your presentation to the situation?
00:0000:00
0
0
1
volume-image
0
1
1
Click to Start
00:000:40
volume-image
0
1
1
Practice with AI Scoring
Restart
Sample Question 3 | # 1000003
Beginning in 10 sec
You are the captain of a community sports team and have provided team equipment for everyone's use. After a few weeks,you notice that the equipment is often left outside, not stored properly, and some items are starting to show wear and tear much faster than expected. What would you say to your team?
00:0000:00
0
0
1
volume-image
0
1
1
Click to Start
00:000:40
volume-image
0
1
1
Practice with AI Scoring
Restart
Try More Sample Questions
read-aloud-tips

Tips for Acing the Respond to a Situation Task

Understand the Scenario:
Read the prompt carefully and understand what is required of you, whether it be an answer, request, apology, or rejection.
Design Your Thoughts Fast:
UUtilize the 10-second prep time to prepare a simple structure: a clear opening, your main point, and a natural closing.
Check Your Tone and Words:
Select a language that works the context — standard for work, casual for personal problems.
Stay Within Time:
You’ll get 30 seconds to speak — keep your response smooth, appropriate, and to the point.
Sound Clear and Confident:
Avoid filler words and long pauses. Speak naturally and concentrate on obtaining your message clearly.

Example Template for Respond to a Situation

  • Opening Statement: Start by addressing the situation clearly.
    “Thank you for reaching out to me about this…”
    “I understand your concern regarding…”
  • Main Response: Provide the main response, focusing on the context.
    “Unfortunately, I am not available at that time due to…”
    “I would be happy to help you with that. Could you provide more details?”
  • Closing Statement: End with a polite and relevant conclusion.
    “Please let me know if there’s anything else I can assist with.”
    “Thank you for your understanding.”
By practicing regularly and becoming comfortable with various types of methods, you can build the confidence required to perform well in the Respond to a Situation task, eventually increasing your score in the PTE Academic / UKVI Speaking section.

SP48

SP49

It is a PTE speaking task where you respond properly to a given method based on everyday or professional contexts.

You can predict 2 to 3 Respond to Situation tasks in the Speaking section of the PTE Academic / UKVI exam.

The microphone will open after 10 seconds for you to be ready.

No, you will only have one chance to complete your response once the microphone opens.

Common real-life situations like asking for assistance, making recommendations, providing directions, or answering academic or professional questions might be included in the scenarios.

No, it’s recommended to use clear, structured, and semi-formal language, especially if the scenario involves a workplace context.

Your response should be concise and to the point, typically lasting 30–40 seconds.

Yes, structure your response logically—address the problem clearly, provide a suitable response, and complete properly.

If you stay silent for more than 3 seconds, the microphone will close, and the response will be assumed incomplete.

Yes, it contributes to your Speaking score, considering both content and fluency.