PTE Academic Preparation Course – Day 19

Achieve Your Perfect Score of 90 in PTE Academic

Welcome to Day 19 of your comprehensive PTE Academic preparation journey. Today’s focus is on Speaking Skills, specifically revisiting the “Repeat Sentence” and “Answer Short Question” tasks. Having covered these tasks before, now you will refine your strategies to improve accuracy, memory, response time, and clarity of speech. The objective is to deliver responses more confidently and precisely.

Objectives

Review the “Repeat Sentence” and “Answer Short Question” Task Formats
Strengthen Memory Techniques and Chunking Strategies
Practice Rapid Comprehension and Quick, Accurate Responses
Improve Pronunciation, Fluency, and Use of Appropriate Vocabulary
Enhance Confidence and Consistency in Speaking Under Timed Conditions

Estimated Time: 2 Hours

Materials Needed

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

Schedule and Activities

1. Reviewing “Repeat Sentence” and “Answer Short Question” Task Formats (20 Minutes)

a. Task Format Overview

Repeat Sentence:

Instructions:
You will hear a sentence once.
You must repeat it exactly as heard.
Focus on capturing every word, maintaining correct word order, and using correct pronunciation.
Scoring Criteria:
Content: Accuracy of repetition.
Fluency and Pronunciation: Smooth, clear, no unnecessary pauses.

Answer Short Question:

Instructions:
You will hear a short question.
Provide a brief, accurate answer (usually one or a few words).
The question often tests general knowledge or everyday concepts.
Scoring Criteria:
Content: Correct and relevant answer.
Fluency and Pronunciation: Clear and understandable response.

b. Strategies Recap

For Repeat Sentence:
Focus on chunking: Break the sentence into segments.
Use memory triggers, like imagining a scene or keyword associations.
Speak immediately after hearing the sentence, without delay.
For Answer Short Question:
Listen carefully to the question.
Provide a concise, direct answer.
Avoid hesitations or adding unnecessary details.

2. Strengthening Memory and Chunking Techniques (30 Minutes)

a. Memory Drills for Repeat Sentence (15 Minutes)

Instructions:

Start with Shorter Sentences (5-7 words):

Listen, repeat verbatim.
Increase sentence length gradually (10-12 words, then 15+ words).

Chunking Method:

Mentally break the sentence into parts: subject, verb, object, modifiers.
Practice retaining each chunk in short-term memory.

Record Attempts:

Listen to your recordings.
Check if you missed words or changed word order.

Spelling Awareness (Mentally):

Visualize tricky words to ensure correct pronunciation.

b. Rapid Comprehension for Answer Short Question (15 Minutes)

Instructions:

Quick Response Training:

Listen to simple questions (e.g., “What do we call a person who studies stars?”)
Answer swiftly (“Astronomer”).

Increase Complexity:

Move to more abstract questions.
Ensure correctness by focusing on key words in the question.

Time-limited Practice:

Give yourself no more than 3 seconds to respond.

Self-assessment:

Verify your answers are correct, clear, and concise.

3. Practicing “Repeat Sentence” with Complex Sentences (40 Minutes)

a. Practice Exercises (30 Minutes)

Instructions:

Use PTE Practice Websites:

Select 10 Sentences of Varying Length:

Listen to each sentence once.
Repeat immediately with correct word order and pronunciation.

Gradually Increase Difficulty:

Start with shorter, simpler sentences.
Move on to longer, more academic sentences with challenging vocabulary.

Recording and Checking:

Record your responses.
Compare with the original sentence if available.
Identify any words missed or altered.

Practice Example:

Sentence Heard: “The professor emphasized the importance of conducting thorough research before drawing conclusions.”
Your Response: Check if you got “emphasized,” “importance,” “conducting,” “thorough,” and “conclusions” correct and in order.

b. Self-assessment and Improvement (10 Minutes)

Check Patterns in Errors:
Are you missing articles or small words?
Is pronunciation of certain words difficult?
Improve Strategy:
Focus on repeating the sentence in your head once before speaking.
Slow your pace if rushing causes errors.
Apply Feedback:
In next attempts, pay special attention to previously problematic words.

4. Practicing “Answer Short Question” with Varied Topics (40 Minutes)

a. Quick Response Drills (30 Minutes)

Instructions:

Use PTE Practice Websites:

Select 15 Answer Short Question items.

Broad Range of Topics:

General knowledge, scientific facts, cultural concepts.

Immediate Responses:

Listen to the question.
Answer within 3 seconds.
Keep it concise (usually 1-3 words).

Check Accuracy:

Are your answers correct?
If unsure, verify answers after practice by researching.

Practice Example:

Question: “What do we call the study of living organisms?”
Answer: “Biology”
Check if the answer is correct and clear.

b. Self-assessment and Enhancement (10 Minutes)

Analyze Mistakes:
Did you misunderstand the question?
Did you provide a related but incorrect answer?
Improve Techniques:
Listen for keywords in the question.
If a question asks “What do we call a person who…?” answer with the correct profession/title.
Build General Knowledge:
Familiarize yourself with common categories (professions, academic fields, units of measurement).

5. Vocabulary Building (20 Minutes)

a. Words for Fluent Speech and Accuracy

Word List with Examples:

1. Articulate (adjective/verb)
Definition: Having the ability to speak fluently and coherently. (adj.) / To express an idea clearly (verb).
Sentence: “He was able to articulate his thoughts clearly.”
2. Concise (adjective)
Definition: Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words.
Sentence: “Your answer should be concise and to the point.”
3. Promptly (adverb)
Definition: Quickly, without delay.
Sentence: “Respond promptly after hearing the question.”
4. Intelligible (adjective)
Definition: Able to be understood; clear enough to be heard or read.
Sentence: “Ensure your speech is intelligible and free of mumbling.”
5. Retain (verb)
Definition: To keep or continue to have something.
Sentence: “Memory techniques help you retain the sentence structure.”
6. Unambiguous (adjective)
Definition: Not open to more than one interpretation.
Sentence: “Your answer should be unambiguous, leaving no confusion.”
7. Consecutive (adjective)
Definition: Following continuously or in unbroken order.
Sentence: “Repeat the sentence exactly, maintaining all words in consecutive order.”
8. Distinct (adjective)
Definition: Clearly separate and different.
Sentence: “Pronounce each word in a distinct manner.”
9. Pertinent (adjective)
Definition: Relevant or applicable to a particular matter.
Sentence: “Only provide pertinent information in your short answer.”
10. Effortless (adjective)
Definition: Requiring no physical or mental exertion.
Sentence: “With practice, repeating sentences will become effortless.”

b. Activities

Write Definitions in Your Own Words:

Paraphrase each definition.

Create Sentences:

Use each word in context of speaking tasks.

Flashcards:

Review words frequently.

Synonyms and Antonyms:

Find alternatives to enrich vocabulary.

6. Improving Pronunciation, Fluency, and Confidence (20 Minutes)

a. Tongue Twisters and Speed Drills (10 Minutes)

Instructions:

Select Tongue Twisters:

“Truly rural”
“The blue balloon blew beautifully”

Slowly First, Then Faster:

Increase speed while maintaining clarity.

Record and Review:

Check for clarity and any slurred words.

b. Confidence Building (10 Minutes)

Instructions:

Visualization:

Imagine yourself performing well under test conditions.

Deep Breathing:

Calm nerves before starting practice.

Acknowledge Progress:

Recognize improvements in memory, response time, and correctness.

7. Reflection and Goal Setting (15 Minutes)

a. Self-Reflection Questions

Do you feel more confident repeating longer sentences accurately?
Are you providing quick, correct answers to short questions?
Which techniques improved your response time and accuracy the most?

b. Goal Setting for Tomorrow

Goal 1: “I will practice more complex sentences in Repeat Sentence to strengthen memory retention.”
Goal 2: “I will expand my general knowledge base to answer short questions more confidently.”

c. Journal Entry

Write About:
Your experiences with today’s speaking tasks.
Improvements or breakthroughs noticed.
Areas to focus on going forward.

8. Optional Extension Activity (35 Minutes)

a. Peer Review or Online Practice

Language Exchange:

Practice repeating sentences to a partner who can verify accuracy.

Online Forums or Study Groups:

Share recordings and get feedback.

b. Challenging Materials

Select More Academic Sentences:
Use sentences from scientific articles or complex texts.
Practice repeating them verbatim.
Diverse Topics for Short Questions:
Cover fields like literature, math, geography, and technology.

Summary of Day 19

Today, you have:

Revisited and Enhanced Techniques for Repeat Sentence and Answer Short Question Tasks.
Strengthened Memory and Chunking Strategies to Improve Accuracy.
Practiced Quick, Accurate Responses Under Time Constraints.
Expanded Vocabulary and Improved Pronunciation, Fluency, and Confidence.
Refined Time Management and Analytical Skills in Speaking Tasks.
Set Personal Goals for Continuous Improvement.

Preparation for Day 20

Focus: Reading Skills – Multiple-choice and Fill in the Blanks (Review and Additional Practice)

Action Items:

Revisit Multiple-choice and Fill in the Blanks tasks in Reading.
Prepare for advanced practice with more complex texts and vocabulary.

Additional Resources

Speaking Practice:
PTE Academic Official Practice Tests: Practice Speaking Tasks
Podcasts:
TED Talks, BBC, NPR: To find challenging sentences to repeat.
Vocabulary Apps:
Quizlet or Magoosh: For academic terms.
Confidence Exercises:
Practice in front of a mirror to improve body language and confidence.

Tips for Success

Regular Repetition: Consistent drills improve retention.
Focus on Key Words in Sentences: Identify main nouns and verbs to maintain sentence structure.
Concise Answers for Short Questions: Simplicity ensures correctness.
Confidence and Calmness: Relaxed but attentive listening leads to better repetition.
Reflect and Adapt: Use daily feedback to guide improvements.

Congratulations on Completing Day 19!

By dedicating time and effort today, you’ve further refined your speaking abilities, particularly in repeating sentences accurately and answering short questions swiftly. Keep building on these skills as you progress toward achieving a perfect PTE Academic score.

Stay Tuned for Day 20!

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 for tips and support.
Feedback: Let us know how Day 19 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!