A Simple Guide to PTE Answer Short Question (Even If You Don’t Know the Answer)

At the very end of the PTE Speaking section, you’ll face a rapid-fire series of questions that feel like a quick quiz show: Answer Short Question (ASQ). You’ll hear a simple question, and you need to give a simple, one-or-two-word answer.

For many students, this can be a surprisingly stressful task. What if you don’t know the answer? What if your mind goes blank?

Let’s clear the air. This guide will show you that ASQ is one of the easiest and fastest ways to add points to your score. We’ll explain how it’s scored, what to do when you’re stuck, and how to train your brain to find those quick answers.

What is the PTE Answer Short Question?

First, let’s look at the mechanics of the task.

• The Format: You will hear a simple, general knowledge question. Often, an image will be displayed on the screen that relates to the question.
• The Task: As soon as the question ends, the microphone opens, and you have a few seconds to say your answer. Your answer should be a single word or a short phrase.
• The Volume: You will get 10 to 12 of these questions in the exam.

How Your ASQ Response is Scored

This is the most important thing to understand about ASQ, because it changes your entire strategy.

• The Points: This task is scored as either correct (1 point) or incorrect (0 points).
• The Skills: The point you earn is primarily for your Vocabulary. This point is also shared with your Listening and Speaking scores.
• What is NOT Scored: Your Oral Fluency and Pronunciation are not scored for this task.

This is a game-changer. It means that a slight hesitation or a less-than-perfect accent doesn’t matter here, as long as your word is correct and understandable. It is purely a test of whether you know the right word.

The Golden Rule for Answering ASQ: Be Quick and Be Brief

The single biggest mistake students make is overthinking or trying to give a long, grammatically perfect sentence. The computer is only listening for one or two keywords.

• Question: “What do you call the book that contains a list of words with their meanings?”
• Wrong way (long sentence): “Umm, the book that contains a list of words with their meanings is called a dictionary.”
• Right way (brief and direct): “A dictionary.” or just “Dictionary.”

Giving a long answer wastes time and increases the chance of making a mistake. The shorter and quicker, the better.

Common ASQ Question Categories (with Examples)

While the questions are random, they often fall into several common themes. Knowing these categories can help you prepare.

Science & Nature

These questions test your basic knowledge of the world around you.

• Example: “What is the name of the planet we live on?” -> Answer: “Earth.”
• Example: “What is H2O the chemical formula for?” -> Answer: “Water.”

Academics & University Life

These relate to the world of study and education.

• Example: “Who is the person in charge of a library?” -> Answer: “A librarian.”
• Example: “What is the name of the document you receive after you graduate from university?” -> Answer: “A degree.” or “A diploma.”

Professions and Workplaces

These questions are about different jobs and the tools they use.

• Example: “What is the name of the tool a doctor uses to listen to a patient’s heart?” -> Answer: “A stethoscope.”
• Example: “What do you call a person who writes for a newspaper?” -> Answer: “A journalist.”

Life & Common Objects

These are about everyday objects, places, and concepts.

• Example: “What is the piece of paper you get after you buy something in a shop?” -> Answer: “A receipt.”
• Example: “What part of the day is between noon and evening?” -> Answer: “The afternoon.”

The “I Don’t Know” Strategy: What to Say When Your Mind is Blank

This is the most important strategy in this guide. You will inevitably get a question where you have no idea what the answer is. What should you do?

Do not stay silent. A long silence can be mistaken for a microphone issue by the system, which can cause problems.

Instead, you have two options:

1. Repeat Keywords from the Question: This is the best first step. It shows the computer you understood the question and keeps your response active.
   
   • Question: “What is the name of the astronomical instrument used to view distant stars?”
   • Your Answer (if you don’t know): “An astronomical instrument.”
   • This is unlikely to get you a point, but it’s a safe and fluent response.
     
2. Simply Say, “I don’t know.” If you can’t even repeat the keywords, this is your fallback.
   
   • Why it works: It’s a quick, clear response. It tells the system you are finished with the question and ready for the next one. It doesn’t waste time and doesn’t hurt your score any more than silence would. It’s a clean and efficient way to handle a difficult moment.

How to Train Your Brain for Quick Answers

Improving your ASQ skill is about building your “quick recall” vocabulary.

• Play Word Games: Spend a few minutes each day playing word association games or simple trivia games on your phone. This trains your brain to access vocabulary quickly.
• Watch and Learn: Watch quiz shows or documentaries on topics like science and history. You will absorb a huge amount of general knowledge vocabulary in a fun and engaging way.
• Active Practice: Don’t just read lists of ASQ questions. Have a friend or family member ask you the questions from our PTE Answer Short Question practice page. The act of speaking the answer out loud is much better practice than just thinking it.

When you’re ready to see how this fits into the full speaking test, challenge yourself with the complete PTE Speaking practice section and eventually a timed PTE Speaking Sectional Mock Test.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What happens if I give a long sentence as an answer?

You will not be penalized, but you are making the task harder for yourself. As long as the correct keyword is in your sentence, the computer should pick it up. However, speaking a long sentence increases the risk of making a speech error and wastes valuable time. It’s always better to be brief.

Do I need to be an expert in every subject?

Absolutely not. The questions are designed to test general knowledge that an educated person would likely know. You do not need deep, specialized knowledge of any single topic.

Q3. If the answer is a number, can I say the digits?

You should say the number as a word. If the question is “How many days are in a week?”, the best answer is “Seven,” not “7.”

This task is a series of quick opportunities to pick up easy points. Stay calm, answer briefly, and use the “I don’t know” strategy when you need it. To see how these small points add up, the best test is a full simulation. Take a free, full-length PTE mock test with a complete score report and see how your ASQ performance contributes to your final score.