Unofficial practice. We wrote these questions to match the official PTE Academic task types and timings. They are not real exam questions, and points shown are practice feedback, not a PTE score. For an official estimate, use Pearson's scored practice tests.
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Answers, explanations and transcripts
Finish the test first, then open each section to check your answers. Every answer has an explanation.
mock
Text for question 4: Multiple choice, single answer
Although electric cars produce no exhaust emissions while driving, their overall environmental impact depends partly on how the electricity that charges them is generated. In regions where most power comes from coal, the benefits are smaller than in regions powered largely by renewable sources.
Text for question 5: Multiple choice, multiple answers
Urban heat islands form when cities replace natural land cover with dense concentrations of pavement, buildings and other surfaces that absorb and retain heat. As a result, city centres can be several degrees warmer than surrounding rural areas, especially at night. Researchers have found that planting street trees, installing reflective or 'cool' roofs and creating more parks can reduce surface temperatures. These measures also bring additional benefits, such as lower energy use for air conditioning and improved air quality, although they require long-term investment and careful maintenance.
Transcript: Highlight correct summary
Good morning everyone. Today I want to talk about why bees matter so much to farming. Around a third of the food we eat depends on pollination, and bees do most of that work. But bee populations have fallen in many countries because of habitat loss, pesticides and disease. Some farmers now plant wildflowers along their fields and reduce spraying, and early results suggest these simple changes can help bee numbers recover.
Text for question 13: Multiple choice, single answer
In the nineteenth century, many shipping routes to Australia followed the 'great circle' path, curving far south towards Antarctica. The route was shorter in distance, but ships faced icebergs and freezing storms, so captains had to balance speed against safety.
Answer key (14 answers)
| # | Question | Answer | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coral reefs cover less than one per cent of the ocean floor, yet they ___ | support | Look at the words around each gap: reefs 'support' species, corals 'expel' algae (they push them out), and recovery depends on conditions improving 'quickly'. |
| 2 | …of all marine species. Rising water temperatures can cause corals to ___ | expel | Look at the words around each gap: reefs 'support' species, corals 'expel' algae (they push them out), and recovery depends on conditions improving 'quickly'. |
| 3 | …food, a process known as bleaching. If conditions return to normal ___ | quickly | Look at the words around each gap: reefs 'support' species, corals 'expel' algae (they push them out), and recovery depends on conditions improving 'quickly'. |
| 4 | What is the main point of the passage? | The environmental benefit of electric cars depends on the source of electricity. | The passage says the overall impact 'depends partly on how the electricity ... is generated'. The other options are not claimed. |
| 5 | According to the passage, which of the following are true? | City centres can be warmer than nearby rural areas, particularly at night. · Street trees and cool roofs can help reduce surface temperatures. · Reducing urban heat can lower energy use for air conditioning. | Options A, C and E are stated directly. B is not mentioned as the cause, and D contradicts the passage, which says careful maintenance is required. |
| 6 | Reorder paragraph | (1) Sleep plays a vital role in how we learn and remember new in… → (2) During deep sleep, the brain replays experiences from the da… → (3) This process, known as memory consolidation, helps turn shor… → (4) For this reason, students who stay up all night before an ex… | Start with the topic sentence (it doesn't refer back to anything). 'During deep sleep' develops it, 'This process' refers back to the replaying, and 'For this reason' gives the conclusion. |
| 7 | …post them online. Supporters argue that this gives students greater ___ | flexibility | 'Greater flexibility' is a strong collocation. 'However' signals the contrast with critics. 'In person' is a fixed phrase. |
| 8 | particularly those who work part-time. Critics, ___ | however | 'Greater flexibility' is a strong collocation. 'However' signals the contrast with critics. 'In person' is a fixed phrase. |
| 9 | …are available, and that students miss the chance to ask questions in ___ | person | 'Greater flexibility' is a strong collocation. 'However' signals the contrast with critics. 'In person' is a fixed phrase. |
| 10 | Write the sentence you hear | The library will close early on public holidays. | Every correctly spelled word scores a point. |
| 11 | Write the sentence you hear | Climate scientists use computer models to predict future temperatures. | Every correctly spelled word scores a point. |
| 12 | Which summary best matches the recording? | Bees pollinate much of our food, but their numbers have fallen; farmers are trying simple changes that may help them recover. | The speaker covers why bees matter, why numbers have fallen, and what farmers are doing. The other options get key facts wrong. |
| 13 | Why did captains have to make a choice when using the great circle route? | It was shorter but more dangerous. | The route was 'shorter in distance' but involved 'icebergs and freezing storms', so speed had to be balanced against safety. |
| 14 | Write the sentence you hear | Regular exercise can improve both physical and mental health. | Every correctly spelled word scores a point. |
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