PTE Respond to a Situation template
What to say in each of the 8 kinds of situation, from asking for help to saying sorry or saying no.
Par Thanh Tran, cofondation et enseignement du PTE
Mis à jour en
What does it ask you to do?
Pick what the situation asks you to do. Its template opens.
Blue: take it from the situation.Bold: a linking phrase.
- Greet them
- Staff you don't knowExcuse me, could you help me with the photocopier?
- Someone you knowHi Mr Norris, have you got a minute?
- Say the problem
- Something brokenI'm trying to copy a document, but the machine isn't working.
- Something lostI think I've lost the book I borrowed last week.
- The detail
- What you seeThere's a light flashing next to the copy button.
- What happenedI left it on a desk this morning, and when I came back it was gone.
- Ask for help
- Fix itCould you have a look at it for me?
- Tell you what to doWhat do I need to do to replace it?
- What you tried
- You triedI've tried pressing the button again, but nothing changed.
- It's urgentI need the copy for a class at two, so it's quite urgent.
- Close
- Thank themThanks a lot. I'll wait here.
- Another wayIf it can't be fixed today, is there another copier I could use?
- Greet them
- A teacherExcuse me, Professor Lee, have you got a minute?
- Your bossHi Anna, can I ask you something?
- Say what you need
- More timeI'd like to ask for an extension on my essay.
- A new timeI can't come to the tutorial this afternoon.
- PermissionWould it be OK if I left at three on Friday?
- The reason
- Illness or familyI've been sick for two weeks, so I haven't been able to finish it.
- Something clashesI have a competition at the same time, and I can't miss it.
- Your proof or plan
- You have proofI've got a note from the clinic if you'd like to see it.
- Your planMost of it is written, so I only need a few more days.
- Offer a new date
- A new dateCould I hand it in by Sunday instead?
- Another wayIf that's hard, I could join another group or come on Thursday.
- Close
- Say sorryI'm sorry to ask the day before it's due.
- CheckWould Sunday be all right for you?
- Greet them
- A friendHey Mia, can I talk to you for a minute?
- Someone who waitedSam, I'm here at last.
- Say sorry
- A promise you brokeI'm so sorry, I didn't take the notes for you this morning.
- You're lateI'm so sorry I kept you waiting for so long.
- What happened
- Your mistakeI woke up late and missed the class myself.
- Bad luckThe car broke down on the way, and I had to wait for help.
- Own it
- Your faultIt was my fault. I forgot to set my alarm.
- Not your faultI know you waited a long time, and I feel bad about it.
- Put it right
- Fix itI'll ask Lucy for her notes and send them to you tonight.
- Make it upLet me buy the tickets next time, and dinner's on me.
- Close
- CheckIf that doesn't work, I'll email the lecturer. Is that OK?
- Thank themThanks for being so patient.
- Greet them
- Staff or a managerHi, are you the accommodation manager? I'd like to report a problem.
- Flatmates or a neighbourHi, sorry to bother you. Have you got a minute?
- Say the problem
- Something brokenThe fridge in our kitchen isn't cooling properly.
- Someone's habitI've noticed the music is quite loud late at night.
- How it affects you
- It cost youSome of my food has gone bad, so I've had to throw it away.
- It stops youI have an exam early tomorrow, and I can't sleep.
- What you'd like
- Fix itCould you send someone to check it this week?
- Change a habitWould you mind turning it down after ten?
- Meet halfway
- In the meantimeIn the meantime, is there another fridge we could use?
- Meet halfwayWeekends are fine, but on weeknights I need to sleep.
- Close
- Thank themThanks. Could you let me know when someone can come?
- Keep it friendlyThanks so much. Have a good night.
- Greet them
- A friendHey Tom, can I say something as a friend?
- A friend who askedThanks for asking me about the course.
- Show you care
- They didn't askI'm a bit worried about you.
- They askedI'm happy to help, because I took it last semester.
- What you've noticed
- What you've seenYou've been missing classes and handing in work late.
- What you knowIt's a hard course, and the exams are tough.
- Your advice
- A soft pushMaybe you could set an alarm and plan your week on Sunday.
- Strong adviceI'd talk to your tutor before it gets worse.
- Why, or more help
- Why it mattersIf you miss too many classes, you might fail the course.
- Offer helpIf you want, we can study together on Tuesdays.
- Close
- CheckWhat do you think?
- EncourageI know you can catch up.
- Greet them
- A groupHi everyone, can I add something about the venue?
- One friendHey Sam, about tomorrow…
- Be kind about it
- Their ideaA nightclub sounds fun, and I know some of you love dancing.
- The plan changedI've found out the study room is double booked.
- The problem
- Not for everyoneBut some of us prefer somewhere quieter.
- Money or timeBut it's quite far, and some of us are on a budget.
- Your idea
- SuggestHow about a dinner at a nice restaurant instead?
- Two choicesWe could meet at the café, or try the library on Friday.
- Why it works
- Why it worksThat way, everyone can talk and feel comfortable.
- Keep bothAfter that, anyone who wants to dance can go on to a club.
- Close
- Ask themWhat do you all think?
- Next stepIf you agree, I'll book a table for Saturday.
- Greet them
- A colleagueHi Anna, thanks for sending me your slides.
- A friendHey Sam, of course I'd like to help.
- Show you'd like to
- You'd like toI'd love to look at them properly.
- You understandI know your assignment is due tomorrow.
- Say no
- Not todayBut I'm afraid I can't do it today.
- Not thisBut I need the book tonight myself.
- The reason
- BusyI have several urgent tasks to finish by the end of the day.
- The same needMy essay is due tomorrow too, and it's my main source.
- Offer something else
- LaterCould I go through them first thing tomorrow instead?
- Another wayI could lend it to you at ten tonight, or you could try the library.
- Close
- CheckWould that still be in time for your meeting?
- Kind closeSorry about that. I hope it goes well.
- Greet them
- A teacherHi Ms Chen, have you got a minute?
- A friendHey Sam, are you free on Saturday?
- Say what you'd like
- VolunteerI saw you're looking for volunteers for Open Week, and I'd like to help.
- InviteI'm having a dinner party next Saturday, and I'd love you and Kate to come.
- Why you, or what it is
- Why youI think I'd be good at it, because I enjoy meeting new people.
- What it isIt's at my place, from seven.
- A detail
- ProofLast year, I helped at the science fair, so I know how busy it gets.
- Their needsIs there any food you can't eat or don't like?
- Offer more
- Offer moreI could show visitors around, or help set up the rooms.
- Make it easyI can cook something without meat, if that's better.
- Close
- AskWhat would you need me to do?
- Next stepLet me know by Wednesday, so I can plan the food.
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How to use it
Read the situation and ask two things: who am I talking to, and what do I need?
Find what it asks you to do in the table below. Pick one option for each sentence while you prepare.
Talk to the person, not about them. Use “I” and “you”, and start the way you would in real life.
Cover every point in the situation. Fill every blue gap from it, and keep its details the same.
Speak for 30 to 40 seconds. If you stop for 3 seconds, the recording ends.
An example answer
The ask for help template, used on a real question. The PDF has an example answer for all 8 templates.
- Excuse me, could you help me with the photocopier?
- I'm trying to copy a document, but the machine isn't working.
- There's a light flashing next to the photocopy button, and nothing comes out.
- Could you have a look at it, or tell me what the light means?
- I've tried pressing the button again, but nothing changed, and I need the copy for a class this afternoon.
- Thanks a lot. If it can't be fixed today, is there another copier I could use?
Also in the PDFWho you're talking toWays to ask, soft to strongDon't be too politeSaying sorrySaying no kindlyLinking wordsShort forms
Questions fréquentes
Are templates allowed in PTE Respond to a Situation?
Pearson tells you not to use memorised answers or templated sentences, and an answer learned by heart can score 0 for content. The cheat sheet gives you sentence plans with gaps, and you fill every gap from the situation. Learn the shape, not the sentences, and every answer you give is about the question in front of you.
Should I talk to the person or about them?
Talk to them. Use “I” and “you”, and start the way you would in real life, such as “Hi Sam” to a friend or “Excuse me, Professor Lee” to a teacher.
How polite should I be?
Match the request. A friend gets “Can you…?”, not “Would you be so kind as to…?”. When you need something, “I need it fixed today” is the right strength.
How long should I speak in Respond to a Situation?
30 to 40 seconds. If you stop for 3 seconds, the recording ends.
Is the PDF free?
Yes. Enter your email and it downloads at once. Your email also opens a free Leap English Pathways account, where you can practise with real exam questions. Every PDF on this site is open to that account. Pro adds feedback on every speaking and writing answer.
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