PTE Short Questions With Answers: 50 Common PTE Questions for UK & Australia

 

PTE Short Questions With Answers: 50 Common Questions for UK and Australia

If you are preparing for the PTE Academic test in the UK or Australia, practising short questions can help you improve your listening comprehension, vocabulary and ability to respond quickly in English.

Many PTE candidates search online for PTE listening short questions, PTE short questions with answers, PTE Answer Short Question practice, PTE most common questions, PTE practice questions, PTE questions and answers, and PTE preparation material for Australia and the UK.

One important point is that Answer Short Question is officially part of the PTE Speaking & Writing section, although many students refer to it as “PTE listening short questions” because you listen to a question before giving your answer.

The questions generally cover familiar topics such as everyday objects, education, science, technology, transport, nature and general knowledge. The best strategy is to understand the question quickly and provide a short, accurate answer.

What Is PTE Answer Short Question?

In the PTE Answer Short Question task, you listen to a question and then provide a short spoken answer.

For example:

Question: What do we use to cut paper?
Answer: Scissors.

Question: What do we call a person who teaches students?
Answer: Teacher.

You do not normally need to give a long explanation. The important thing is to understand what the question is asking and provide the appropriate word or short phrase.

The questions below are useful practice questions based on common topics. They are practice questions and not leaked or guaranteed PTE exam questions.

PTE Short Questions With Answers

Everyday Objects

1. What do we use to cut paper?
Answer: Scissors.

2. What do we use to write on a blackboard?
Answer: Chalk.

3. What do we use to unlock a door?
Answer: A key.

4. What device do we use to take photographs?
Answer: A camera.

5. What do we use to tell the time?
Answer: A clock.

6. What do students commonly use to carry their books?
Answer: A backpack.

7. What appliance is used to keep food cold?
Answer: Refrigerator.

8. What do we use to protect ourselves from rain?
Answer: An umbrella.

9. What instrument is used to measure temperature?
Answer: A thermometer.

10. What do we use to clean our teeth?
Answer: A toothbrush.

Education and Work

11. What do we call a person who teaches students?
Answer: Teacher.

12. Where do students usually go to study?
Answer: School.

13. What do we call a person who studies at a university?
Answer: Student.

14. What document shows a person's educational qualification?
Answer: Certificate.

15. What do we call a person who works for a company?
Answer: Employee.

16. What do employees receive for their work?
Answer: Salary.

17. What do students use to write notes?
Answer: Notebook.

18. What do we call a formal test of knowledge?
Answer: Examination.

Science and Nature

19. What planet do we live on?
Answer: Earth.

20. What star provides light and heat to Earth?
Answer: The Sun.

21. What gas do humans need to breathe?
Answer: Oxygen.

22. What gas do plants absorb from the atmosphere?
Answer: Carbon dioxide.

23. What is frozen water called?
Answer: Ice.

24. What do bees produce?
Answer: Honey.

25. What do plants need to make food?
Answer: Sunlight.

26. What organ pumps blood around the body?
Answer: The heart.

27. What is the natural satellite of Earth?
Answer: The Moon.

28. What do we call water that falls from clouds?
Answer: Rain.

Places and Transport

29. Where do passengers board an aeroplane?
Answer: Airport.

30. Where do trains arrive and depart?
Answer: Railway station.

31. Where can you borrow books?
Answer: Library.

32. Where do doctors usually treat patients?
Answer: Hospital.

33. What vehicle travels on railway tracks?
Answer: Train.

34. What vehicle flies in the sky?
Answer: Aeroplane.

35. What do we call a place where ships arrive and depart?
Answer: Port.

36. What type of transport commonly travels underground in large cities?
Answer: Metro.

Technology and Communication

37. What device is commonly used to make mobile calls?
Answer: Smartphone.

38. What do we use to access websites?
Answer: The internet.

39. What device is used to print documents?
Answer: Printer.

40. What do we call electronic mail?
Answer: Email.

41. What device displays information from a computer?
Answer: Monitor.

42. What do we use to type on a computer?
Answer: Keyboard.

43. What device is used to move the pointer on a computer screen?
Answer: Mouse.

44. What do we call a portable computer?
Answer: Laptop.

Common General Knowledge

45. How many days are there in a week?
Answer: Seven.

46. How many months are there in a year?
Answer: Twelve.

47. What is the opposite of hot?
Answer: Cold.

48. What is the opposite of early?
Answer: Late.

49. What colour is commonly associated with grass?
Answer: Green.

50. How many legs does a typical dog have?
Answer: Four.

How to Prepare for PTE Short Questions

1. Listen for the key words

Do not try to remember every word in the question. Concentrate on the important words that tell you what information is required.

For example, if you hear “What instrument is used to measure temperature?”, the key concept is “instrument” and “temperature”. This should lead you towards “thermometer”.

2. Keep your answer short

A common mistake is giving a long answer when one word is sufficient.

If the answer is “Thermometer”, you do not need to say, “The instrument which is used for measuring temperature is called a thermometer.”

A short and clear response is easier to produce and reduces hesitation.

3. Improve your general vocabulary

Regularly revise vocabulary related to:

• Education

• Science

• Technology

• Transport

• Weather

• Human body

• Everyday objects

• Jobs

• Places

• Communication

• Nature

• Numbers and measurements

4. Practise different accents

Candidates taking PTE Academic in Australia and the UK should become comfortable listening to different varieties of English. Regular English listening practice can help you recognise differences in pronunciation, rhythm and speed.

5. Do not panic

You may occasionally hear a question for which you do not immediately know the answer. Do not allow one difficult question to affect your confidence. Continue practising and focus on improving your overall performance.

Best PTE Books for Students in the UK and Australia

Short-question practice is only one part of successful PTE preparation. Students preparing for PTE Academic UK, PTE Academic Australia, Australian immigration, UK study applications or university admission should also practise Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

For students in the UK, this PTE preparation book covering Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking, with practice tests and tips for all modules is available on Amazon UK:

PTE Preparation Book for UK Students

The same book is also available for students in Australia:

PTE Preparation Book for Australia

Another useful preparation option for candidates in the UK is:

PTE Preparation Book on Amazon UK

Students in Australia looking for a concise resource containing PTE test tips and strategies can also consider:

PTE Killer Tips Book for Australia

These resources can be used alongside regular mock tests and daily practice to build confidence across the PTE modules.

More PTE Preparation Resources

If you are preparing for the PTE test, it is useful to study different question types rather than focusing on only one section.

Learn more about how artificial intelligence is used in PTE scoring in this detailed guide:

PTE Academic AI Scoring Explained for the UK

For candidates preparing for PTE Reading, this guide explains useful strategies for one of the important question types:

PTE Reading Fill in the Blanks Strategy

You can also improve your essay preparation by practising common topics:

10 Latest PTE Academic Essay Topics

Final Tips for PTE Preparation

PTE preparation is most effective when you practise consistently instead of trying to memorise hundreds of questions at the last minute.

For Answer Short Question, focus on understanding the question, identifying the required information and responding with a concise answer.

Remember these five important tips:

1. Listen carefully to the complete question.

2. Identify the key information.

3. Give a direct answer.

4. Avoid unnecessary words.

5. Practise regularly with different topics.

Whether you are preparing for PTE Academic in Australia, PTE Academic UK, Australian immigration, UK study, university admission or professional purposes, a structured preparation plan can help you improve your confidence and performance.

Combine short-question practice with full PTE mock tests and preparation material covering Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening. With regular practice, you can develop the vocabulary, listening ability and response speed required for the PTE Academic examination.