PTE Academic Preparation Course – Day 24

Achieve Your Perfect Score of 90 in PTE Academic

Welcome to Day 24 of your comprehensive PTE Academic preparation journey. Today’s focus is on Listening Skills, specifically revisiting “Write from Dictation” and “Highlight Incorrect Words” tasks. Having practiced these tasks before, you will now push your abilities further by working with more challenging accents, diverse topics, and complex vocabulary. The aim is to increase accuracy, speed, and confidence in transcribing spoken sentences and identifying textual discrepancies.

Objectives

Review “Write from Dictation” and “Highlight Incorrect Words” Task Formats
Refine Memory Retention, Note-taking, and Spelling Skills
Practice with Complex Audio Material: Faster Speeches, Accents, and Academic Topics
Improve Concentration, Time Management, and Predictive Listening
Build Confidence in Handling More Difficult Listening Tasks Under Pressure

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 hear a sentence once.
Write it down exactly, with correct spelling, punctuation, and word order.
Scoring Criteria:
Content: Complete accuracy in transcription.
Spelling and punctuation count.

Highlight Incorrect Words:

Instructions:
A transcript of a recording is shown.
As you listen, identify words in the text that do not match the audio.
Click on incorrect words.
Scoring Criteria:
Content: Correctly identify all mismatched words.
Avoid marking correct words as incorrect.

b. Strategies Recap

Write from Dictation:
Use short-term memory techniques and chunking.
Focus on spelling tricky words and maintaining correct word order.
Highlight Incorrect Words:
Follow audio closely.
Identify even subtle differences (plural vs. singular, tense changes).
Stay alert for synonyms or omitted words.

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

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

Instructions:

Start with Intermediate-level Sentences (10-12 words):

Listen once and write down immediately.
Check spelling and correctness.

Progress to Longer Sentences (15-18 words):

Chunk the sentence into meaningful parts.
Visualize keywords or use abbreviations in note-taking before writing the final sentence.

Record Attempts:

Compare your transcription to the correct version if available.
Identify consistent errors (e.g., missing articles, wrong tense).

b. Concentration for Highlight Incorrect Words (15 Minutes)

Instructions:

Use a Short Passage (30 seconds of audio):

Transcript on screen.
Mark incorrect words as you listen.

Increase Complexity:

Choose faster speakers or heavier accents.
Focus on subtle word differences.

Self-Assessment:

Check how many errors you caught.
If missed some, did you lose focus or misinterpret a word?

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

a. Practice Exercises (30 Minutes)

Instructions:

Use PTE Practice Websites:

Select 10 Sentences:

Start with moderately complex sentences.
Move to more complex sentences (longer, academic vocabulary).

Check Spelling and Punctuation:

Pay attention to capitalization of proper nouns and punctuation (e.g., commas, apostrophes).

Record and Analyze:

Listen to your recorded attempts (if you record your dictation process).
Identify words you consistently misspell or fail to catch.

Practice Example:

Sentence Heard: “The committee’s decision to postpone the conference was unexpected.”
Your Response: Check if “committee’s,” “postpone,” and “unexpected” are spelled correctly.

b. Self-assessment and Refinement (10 Minutes)

Analyze Errors:
Are you missing small function words or mishearing complex terms?
Focus on Difficult Words:
List tricky words and practice them separately.
Improve Strategies:
Repeat dictations from different sources to increase versatility.

4. Practicing “Highlight Incorrect Words” with Varied Accents and Content (40 Minutes)

a. Practice Exercises (30 Minutes)

Instructions:

Use PTE Practice Websites:

Select 5 exercises with diverse topics and accents.

Listen Carefully:

Pay attention to differences in pronouns, verb tenses, and similar-sounding words.

Mark Incorrect Words:

Ensure you’re confident before clicking.
Confirm logic: Does the chosen word make sense in context?

Check Correct Answers:

Understand the rationale behind correct identifications.

Practice Example:

Transcript vs. Audio:
Transcript: “The researcher suggested that new methods would expedite the analysis.”
Audio: “The researcher suggested that new methods would enhance the analysis.”
Incorrect Word: “expedite” should be “enhance.”

b. Self-assessment and Enhancement (10 Minutes)

Note Patterns in Errors:
Are you missing small changes like “enhance” vs. “expedite”?
Focus on Context:
If a word seems out of place, it might be incorrect.
Apply Feedback:
Next time, pay extra attention to words with similar meanings or sounds.

5. Vocabulary Building (20 Minutes)

a. Words Related to Accuracy, Detail, and Academic Content

Word List with Examples:

1. Verbatim (adverb)
Definition: In exactly the same words.
Sentence: “Write from dictation requires repeating the sentence verbatim.”
2. Nuance (noun)
Definition: A subtle difference in meaning or tone.
Sentence: “Listening carefully helps you catch the nuance in the lecturer’s emphasis.”
3. Conspicuous (adjective)
Definition: Standing out so as to be clearly visible.
Sentence: “An incorrect word may be conspicuous if it doesn’t fit the context.”
4. Rigorous (adjective)
Definition: Extremely thorough and careful.
Sentence: “Adopt a rigorous approach to note-taking for improved accuracy.”
5. Scrutinize (verb)
Definition: Examine closely or thoroughly.
Sentence: “Scrutinize each word in the transcript to highlight discrepancies.”
6. Invariably (adverb)
Definition: In every case or on every occasion; always.
Sentence: “He invariably captures the main idea correctly when writing from dictation.”
7. Legitimate (adjective)
Definition: Conforming to the law or rules; valid.
Sentence: “Only legitimate corrections should be made when highlighting incorrect words.”
8. Intricate (adjective)
Definition: Very complicated or detailed.
Sentence: “The passage might contain intricate terminology requiring careful attention.”
9. Conventional (adjective)
Definition: Based on or in accordance with what is generally done or believed.
Sentence: “Use conventional spelling and punctuation as required.”
10. Complement (verb)
Definition: Add to something in a way that enhances or improves it.
Sentence: “Your note-taking should complement your listening, not hinder it.”

b. Activities

Write Definitions in Own Words:

Paraphrase each definition.

Create Sentences:

Use words in context of listening tasks.

Flashcards:

Review words daily.

Synonyms and Antonyms:

Expand lexical variety.

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

a. Timed Drills (10 Minutes)

Instructions:

Set Strict Time Limits:

For Write from Dictation, write sentence immediately.
For Highlight Incorrect Words, finalize choices quickly after audio ends.

Regular Drills:

Improved speed and decision-making come with practice.

b. Concentration Techniques (10 Minutes)

Instructions:

Quiet Environment:

Eliminate distractions.

Short Breaks:

Brief pauses maintain mental alertness.

Positive Mindset:

Acknowledge improvements in accuracy and complexity handling.

7. Reflection and Goal Setting (15 Minutes)

a. Self-Reflection Questions

Are you transcribing sentences more accurately and consistently?
Do you identify incorrect words swiftly and confidently?
Which strategies helped you handle more complex accents and vocabulary?

b. Goal Setting for Tomorrow

Goal 1: “I will practice dictation with faster speech and less familiar topics.”
Goal 2: “I will refine my ability to detect subtle discrepancies in Highlight Incorrect Words tasks.”

c. Journal Entry

Write About:
Today’s listening tasks experiences.
Improvements or breakthroughs noticed.
Future focus areas.

8. Optional Extension Activity (35 Minutes)

a. Additional Listening and Dictation Practice

Podcasts or Online Lectures:

Listen to a segment and write the key sentence verbatim.

Check with Transcript:

See how close you are.

Increase Complexity:

Use lectures with specialized jargon or faster speech.

b. Vocabulary Quizzes

Apps:
Test yourself on today’s vocabulary set.
Track Progress:
Aim for better recall and usage over time.

Summary of Day 24

Today, you have:

Revisited and Enhanced Techniques for Write from Dictation and Highlight Incorrect Words Tasks.
Improved Memory, Note-taking, and Spelling for More Complex Audio.
Practiced Handling Varied Accents and Academic Vocabulary Under Time Constraints.
Refined Concentration, Speed, and Confidence in Listening Accuracy.
Set Personal Goals for Continuous Improvement.

Preparation for Day 25

Focus: Reading Skills – Re-order Paragraphs and Fill in the Blanks (Review and Additional Practice)

Action Items:

Revisit Re-order Paragraphs and Fill in the Blanks tasks.
Prepare for more advanced practice with intricate text structures and challenging collocations.

Additional Resources

Listening Practice:
PTE Academic Official Practice Tests: Practice Listening Tasks
Podcasts/News:
BBC, NPR, Academic Lectures: For challenging audio segments.
Vocabulary Apps:
Magoosh or Vocabulary.com: Continual word enrichment.
Mindfulness Techniques:
Short breaks and deep breathing before tasks.

Tips for Success

Consistent Practice: Regular exposure to challenging audio improves resilience.
Focus on Detail: Even small changes in wording matter.
Refine Memory Techniques: Chunking and visualization aid retention.
Time-bound Drills: Simulate exam conditions for better performance.
Reflect and Adapt: Learn from each attempt to refine strategies.

Congratulations on Completing Day 24!

By dedicating time and effort today, you’ve further strengthened your listening comprehension skills, particularly in writing from dictation and highlighting incorrect words accurately. Keep honing these abilities as you progress toward achieving a perfect PTE Academic score.

Stay Tuned for Day 25!

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 24 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!