PTE Academic Preparation Course – Day 18

Achieve Your Perfect Score of 90 in PTE Academic

Welcome to Day 18 of your comprehensive PTE Academic preparation journey. Today’s focus is on Listening Skills, specifically “Write from Dictation” and “Highlight Incorrect Words” tasks. You will revisit these tasks to sharpen your listening accuracy, note-taking efficiency, and attention to detail. The goal is to produce verbatim written responses and accurately identify errors in transcribed audio.

Objectives

Review the “Write from Dictation” and “Highlight Incorrect Words” Task Formats
Refine Note-taking Techniques and Memory Strategies
Practice Listening Comprehension with Complex and Varied Topics
Improve Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammatical Accuracy in Written Responses
Enhance Concentration and Speed in Identifying Incorrect Words

Estimated Time: 2 Hours

Materials Needed

Device: Computer or smartphone with internet access
Headphones
Notebook and Pen
Access to PTE Practice Platforms or Websites
Dictionary or Thesaurus
Recording Device (optional for self-assessment)

Schedule and Activities

1. Reviewing “Write from Dictation” and “Highlight Incorrect Words” Task Formats (20 Minutes)

a. Task Format Overview

Write from Dictation:

Instructions:
You will hear a sentence once.
Write it down exactly as heard.
Focus on correct spelling, punctuation, and word order.
Scoring Criteria:
Content: Accuracy in reproducing the sentence.
Spelling and punctuation matter.

Highlight Incorrect Words:

Instructions:
You will see a transcript of a recording.
As the audio plays, identify words in the text that differ from the spoken words.
Click on all words that are incorrect.
Scoring Criteria:
Content: Correctly identifying each incorrect word.
Avoid marking correct words as incorrect.

b. Strategies Recap

For Write from Dictation:
Listen carefully to each word.
Use short-term memory techniques, chunking the sentence into phrases.
Check spelling and plural forms.
For Highlight Incorrect Words:
Follow the audio and text closely.
Look for mismatched words, synonyms, or omitted/added words.
Remain calm and focused until the end of the recording.

2. Enhancing Memory and Note-taking Techniques (30 Minutes)

a. Memory Exercises for Write from Dictation (15 Minutes)

Instructions:

Short Sentences:

Start with shorter sentences (5-7 words).
Listen, write immediately, and check accuracy.

Gradual Increase in Length:

Move to longer sentences (10-12 words).
Chunk the sentence into segments: subject-verb-object, then modifiers.

Spelling Focus:

Identify tricky words and practice their spelling separately.

Record Timing:

Aim to write quickly and accurately.

b. Focus and Accuracy for Highlight Incorrect Words (15 Minutes)

Instructions:

Practice with Short Passages:

Listen to a 30-second clip and read the transcript.
Identify 1-2 words that are incorrect.

Increase Complexity:

Move to longer clips with more potential errors.

Stay Alert:

Note if a single word differs (e.g., “receive” vs. “received”).
Ensure you do not click correct words by mistake.

Self-assessment:

Check correct answers.
Understand if errors were due to misheard words or lack of concentration.

3. Practicing “Write from Dictation” with Complex Sentences (40 Minutes)

a. Practice Exercises (30 Minutes)

Instructions:

Use PTE Practice Websites:

Select 10 Write from Dictation Items:

Listen carefully once.
Write the sentence exactly.

Check Spelling and Punctuation:

Compare your response to the correct answer.
Identify any spelling errors or missing words.

Gradual Difficulty:

Start with simpler sentences.
Move to more complex ones with academic vocabulary.

Practice Example:

Sentence Heard: “The committee agreed to revise the proposal before the deadline.”
Your Response: Check if you wrote each word correctly, including “committee,” “revise,” and “proposal.”

b. Self-assessment and Improvement (10 Minutes)

Check for Patterns in Errors:
Are you missing articles (a, the)?
Are certain words consistently misspelled?
Practice Problematic Words:
If you often misspell a particular word, write it multiple times.
Familiarize yourself with common academic words.
Apply Feedback:
In the next attempt, pay special attention to previous weaknesses.

4. Practicing “Highlight Incorrect Words” with Complex Transcripts (40 Minutes)

a. Predictive and Concentration Skills (30 Minutes)

Instructions:

Use PTE Practice Websites:

Select 5 “Highlight Incorrect Words” exercises.

Listen Once:

Follow the transcript closely.
Identify words that don’t match the audio.

Check Answers:

Compare your chosen incorrect words with the correct answers.

Incremental Difficulty:

Start with shorter recordings.
Move on to longer or faster-speaking clips.

Practice Example:

Transcript vs. Audio:
Transcript: “The recent survey indicated that sales of organic produce soared.”
Audio: “The recent survey indicated that sales of organic products soared.”
Incorrect Word: “produce” should be “products.”

b. Self-assessment and Refinement (10 Minutes)

Analyze Mistakes:
Did you miss subtle word differences like “produce” vs. “products”?
Maintain concentration until the last word is spoken.
Improve Techniques:
If unsure about a word, consider context.
Re-listen (if allowed in practice) to confirm tricky spots.
Track Progress:
Aim for steady improvement in accuracy.

5. Vocabulary Building (20 Minutes)

a. Words Related to Accuracy and Detail

Word List with Examples:

1. Verbatim (adverb)
Definition: In exactly the same words as originally used.
Sentence: “Write from dictation requires producing the sentence verbatim.”
2. Scrutinize (verb)
Definition: Examine closely and thoroughly.
Sentence: “You must scrutinize each word to highlight any incorrect ones.”
3. Nuance (noun)
Definition: A subtle difference in meaning or tone.
Sentence: “Listening carefully helps you catch the nuance in pronunciation.”
4. Imperceptible (adjective)
Definition: Impossible or difficult to perceive by the mind or senses.
Sentence: “Sometimes the difference in words may seem imperceptible.”
5. Discrepancy (noun)
Definition: A lack of compatibility between facts or claims.
Sentence: “Identify any discrepancy between the audio and the transcript.”
6. Consistency (noun)
Definition: Conformity in application; lack of contradictions.
Sentence: “Maintaining consistency in spelling improves your score.”
7. Explicitly (adverb)
Definition: Clearly and in detail.
Sentence: “The instruction was given explicitly, so follow it carefully.”
8. Inadvertently (adverb)
Definition: Without intention; accidentally.
Sentence: “You may inadvertently choose the wrong word if you rush.”
9. Prioritize (verb)
Definition: To treat something as more important than others.
Sentence: “Prioritize accuracy over speed when writing from dictation.”
10. Precision (noun)
Definition: The quality of being accurate and exact.
Sentence: “Precision in spelling and punctuation is essential.”

b. Activities

Write Definitions in Own Words:

Paraphrase each definition.

Create Sentences:

Use each word in context of listening tasks.

Flashcards:

Review words regularly.

Synonyms and Antonyms:

Find related words to broaden lexical range.

6. Time Management, Concentration, and Confidence (20 Minutes)

a. Timed Drills (10 Minutes)

Instructions:

Set a Timer:

For Write from Dictation, limit the time you spend checking your work.
For Highlight Incorrect Words, try to finalize decisions quickly.

Aim for Efficiency:

Develop a habit of quick yet accurate decisions.

Repeat Regularly:

Timed drills build mental stamina and confidence.

b. Concentration Techniques (10 Minutes)

Instructions:

Eliminate Distractions:

Practice in a quiet space.

Short Breaks:

If practicing extensively, pause briefly to reset focus.

Positive Mindset:

Acknowledge improvements and trust your preparation.

7. Reflection and Goal Setting (15 Minutes)

a. Self-Reflection Questions

Are you more accurate in writing sentences verbatim?
Have you improved in identifying incorrect words without marking correct words erroneously?
Which strategies best helped you maintain concentration and accuracy?

b. Goal Setting for Tomorrow

Goal 1: “I will practice more challenging dictation sentences to enhance memory retention.”
Goal 2: “I will refine my ability to detect subtle differences in words during Highlight Incorrect Words tasks.”

c. Journal Entry

Write About:
Your experiences with today’s listening tasks.
Improvements noticed in accuracy and confidence.
Areas you plan to focus on next.

8. Optional Extension Activity (35 Minutes)

a. Additional Listening and Dictation Practice

Podcasts or News Bulletins:

Listen to short segments and write down sentences you hear.

Compare with Actual Transcript:

Check if you transcribed accurately.

b. Vocabulary Quizzes

Apps:
Quiz yourself on today’s vocabulary.
Track Progress:
Aim for consistent improvement in lexical knowledge.

Summary of Day 18

Today, you have:

Revisited and Enhanced Techniques for Write from Dictation and Highlight Incorrect Words.
Improved Note-taking, Memory, and Attention to Detail.
Practiced with Varied Audios to Increase Adaptability.
Expanded Vocabulary and Strengthened Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar Skills.
Boosted Confidence in Handling Complex Listening Tasks Under Time Constraints.
Set Personal Goals for Continuous Improvement.

Preparation for Day 19

Focus: Speaking Skills – Repeat Sentence and Answer Short Question (Review and Additional Practice)

Action Items:

Revisit Repeat Sentence and Answer Short Question tasks.
Prepare for advanced practice in memory retention, fluency, and accuracy.

Additional Resources

Listening Practice:
PTE Academic Official Practice Tests: Practice Listening Tasks
Podcasts:
NPR, BBC, TED Talks: For diverse accents and topics.
Vocabulary Apps:
Vocabulary.com or Magoosh: To improve spelling and lexical range.
Concentration Techniques:
Short mindfulness sessions before practice to calm the mind.

Tips for Success

Frequent Practice: Regular sessions improve retention and accuracy.
Focus on Details: Small differences in words matter.
Build Spelling Confidence: Pay attention to common tricky words.
Develop Strong Listening Skills: Better comprehension leads to fewer errors.
Reflect and Adapt: Use feedback from practice sessions to improve strategies.

Congratulations on Completing Day 18!

By dedicating time and effort today, you’ve further refined your listening comprehension skills, especially in writing from dictation and identifying incorrect words. Keep building on these abilities as you progress toward achieving a perfect PTE Academic score.

Stay Tuned for Day 19!

Note: All external links are provided for educational purposes. Ensure internet access to utilize these resources.

Share Your Progress

We encourage you to share your experiences and progress with others:

Join Our Community Forum: Connect with fellow learners to exchange tips and resources.
Feedback: Let us know how Day 18 went for you and any suggestions to improve the course.

Remember: Consistent practice and a proactive approach to learning are keys to success. Keep pushing forward, and revisit any sections as needed.

Best of luck on your journey to mastering the PTE Academic!