Understanding the Re-tell Lecture Task in PTE Academic, UKVI & Core

This task involves the analysis of two tasks—speaking and listening. Here, an audio academic lecture will be played, and you have to summarize it successfully and speak it freely with proper pronunciation, fluency, and content within 40 seconds. This task assesses your speaking, listening, organization, and note-taking capacity.

What is the Re-tell Lecture Task?

The Re-tell Lecture evaluates your capability to understand spoken academic content, recognize the main ideas and supporting details, and attend to them fluently in your own words. It tests both your listening and speaking skills at the same time.
The challenge lies in fast absorbing and arrange the lecture content and communicate it clearly within a limited time. Your aim should be to give a structured, concise, and meaningful summary of the lecture that catches the essence of what was presented.
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Types of Audio / Video in the Retell Lecture PTE Task

In the PTE Retell Lecture task, the audio / video content can vary in format and subject matter. Identifying the type of audio / video can help you effectively structure your response and focus on key information.
Academic Lectures
These audios / videos are obtained from academic settings such as university lectures or research conversations. They often contain complex terms and data. Focus on main ideas, supporting points, and specific examples.
Example topics: Climate change, Economic theories, Technological advancements
Informative Talks
These audios / videos present general information in a structured manner, often similar to a documentary or news report. They normally give clear headings or subtopics, making it trouble-free to outline main points.
Example topics: Health tips, Historical events, Scientific discoveries
Interviews and Conversations
You may hear dialogues or interviews between two or more speakers. Focus on recognizing the main viewpoints, arguments, or conclusions expressed by each speaker.
Example topics: Expert opinions, Debates on social issues, Academic discussions
Opinion-based Monologues
These audios / videos involve speakers expressing opinions or arguments about a particular subject. Pay attention to key arguments, examples, and conclusions.
Example topics: Environmental policies, Cultural perspectives, Social trends
Descriptive Narratives
In these audios / videos, the speaker may describe a scene, event, or process in detail. Pay attention to descriptive language, sequencing, and significant details.
Example topics: Tourist destinations, Personal experiences, Historical accounts
Tip: Regardless of the type of audio or video, focus on the main ideas, supporting details, and the speaker’s tone and intent. Take quick notes during the audio / video to capture essential points, ensuring a well-structured and coherent response.

Length and Structure of Retell Lecture in PTE

In the PTE Retell Lecture task, the length and structure of the audio / video vary, but understanding the typical format can help you prepare effectively. Here’s what to expect:
  • Length: You have to listen to a short 60-90 second academic lecture.
  • Time to Prepare: You get a max of 10 seconds to get ready for recording a response.
  • Time to Speak: You have to speak for about 40 seconds, where you will be presenting summarized key points accurately as heard during the audio.
Tip: Focus on capturing the main idea, supporting details, and any significant data or examples. Maintain a logical flow in your response, starting with the main point and then elaborating on the supporting points. Avoid pausing for too long, and speak clearly and confidently.
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Re-tell Lecture

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Tips for Acing the PTE Retell Lecture Practice Task

Active Listening:
Concentrating on main contexts, instances, and tone.
Note-taking:
Note down main points and the main idea of the lecture.
Form Your Response properly:
Begin with the main idea, and then include additional information related to the topic.
Utilize proper vocabulary:
Phrases like “The speaker emphasized…” help structure.
Time Management:
Prepare yourself to concisely present the information accurately and manage to speak all the important details within 40 seconds.
Maintain Fluency:
Do not use fillers; speak with proper pronunciation, with confidence, and with a clear voice.

How to Effectively Retell a Lecture in PTE Using a Template

A structured method can importantly improve your response in the PTE Retell Lecture task. This Retell Lecture PTE template certifies that your response is well-structured, beneficially covering the key points while maintaining fluency and coherence, thereby maximizing your score in the Speaking section.
What structures can be used for retelling the lecture?
  • 1) Intro: “The lecture discusses…” or “The speaker highlights…”
  • 2) Body: “The speaker mentions…,” “An important point is…”
  • 3) Examples/Data: “A significant statistic was…”
  • 4) In conclusion, the lecture emphasizes key themes and ideas.
By familiarizing yourself with various types of lectures and practicing regularly, you can gain confidence in effectively handling the Retell Lecture task, ultimately boosting your PTE Academic, UKVI, or Core score.

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 Situation (Academic / UKVI)Summarize Group Discussion (Academic / UKVI)
Respond to a Situation (Core)
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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.

1-2 lecture retellings can be expected per exam.

Once the audio of the lecture ends, you will get 10 seconds to get ready and start your recording.

Yes, you can. If it can help you effectively summarize relevant content and maintain coherence in your response.

No. You do not have that option. You can only listen to the lecture once and record your answer once.

Yes, it does impact both speaking and listening skills. As both of these skills are analyzed in this task.
Final Important Tip: Frequent practice with different types of lectures and structured answers will increase your confidence and scores in the PTE Academic, UKVI, or Core exams.