PTE retell lecture is supposed to be one of the sections in which candidates normally perform the worst in their PTE Speaking. So, what is it, and how to perform well in this section?

This article will show you all you need to know about the section!

Let’s go through it now

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Key Takeaways

• The PTE retell lecture section contains 3 to 4 lectures, each lasting 30 to 90 seconds.
• The PTE retell lecture scoring is based on three criteria: content, oral fluency, and pronunciation.
• Below are 10 useful PTE retell lecture tips to help you maximize your score.

Related:

• Try our PTE mock test online platform for FREE today!
• Pearson PTE test overview
• PTE speaking format & tips

PTE Retell Lecture Format

The format is the first thing to know if you want to score high in the PTE retell lecture section.

This section contains 3 to 4 lectures. Each lecture lasts from 30 to 90 seconds. It discusses a single topic with many points; you can only listen to it once. A good thing in this section is that there is no negative marking for incorrect responses. 

Every single lecture begins after 3 seconds. Once it stops, candidates are given 10 seconds to arrange their well-structured responses. 

They also have 1 second to take a deep breath or get calm before the microphone opens. As soon as it opens, they have 40 seconds to record their response. 

These days, there will also be a picture to accompany the candidates with the audio. Occasionally, they might watch a video about the lecture. These visuals will be extremely helpful for them. 

Sample: You will hear an Interview/Lecture. After listening to it, in 10 seconds, please speak into the microphone and retell what you have just heard from the lecture in your own words. You will have 40 seconds to give your response.

 

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How Is the PTE Retell Lecture Section Scored?

The PTE retell lecture scoring is based on three criteria, including content, oral fluency, and pronunciation. The maximum score for each criterion is 5 marks, and getting the full score in all three is not easy.

Content

It is advisable to summarize the significant points that are relevant to the lectures. Any irrelevant ideas will lower your score.

Oral Fluency 

Your fluency will be highly scored unless you repeat your ideas, lose some key points, or hesitate too much. Besides, you should pay attention to phrasing, rhythm, stress, intonation, etc.

Pronunciation

It is better to use understandable pronunciation for common speakers. Also, you ought to pronounce plurals, past participles, consonants, and vowels correctly.

PTE Retell Lecture Template

Generally speaking, a good response should contain the topic, 2-3 main points, and a conclusion. 

Topic

The first thing you must mention in your response is the topic. It normally appears at the very beginning once the audio starts, so you should pay attention to catch it. 

Main Points 

To make a good response, you need to note down 2-3 key points or possibly 4 key points if you can. They are the major things you need to mention in your summary. 

Conclusion 

The speaker will conclude the lecture or state the overall idea before it ends, so you need to catch it. 

Here’s one of the PTE retell lecture examples for this part:

The key point of the lecture was about <the topic>. First and foremost, the speaker discussed <phrase 1>. Then, he/she mentioned <phrase 2> and <phrase 3>. Finally, he/she concluded that <conclusion>. 

Tips And Strategy For Practicing PTE Retell Lecture

Below are some useful PTE retell lecture tips to help you maximize your score.

Before The Test Day 

Before taking part in the test, PTE retell lecture practice is vital. Specifically, you need to keep in mind a template for this section. Then, you have to practice the opening and concluding sentences again and again. 

Besides, paraphrasing is also what you should master, as you cannot summarize the exact words the speaker says. There are lots of paraphrasing exercises on the Internet, so you can find them and self-study them easily. 

One more thing to remember is the filler words. You might not know what to say sometimes while recording, so you can add some words like “well, you see, you know, uhm, actually, etc.” Remember that the recording will stop if you pause it for over 3 seconds. 

During The Test 

Here is the PTE retell lecture strategy to use during this section:

• Look at the accompanying picture and try to guess something about the lecture. It might give you a rough idea about the lecture. 
• Once the audio begins, try to catch the topic, 2-3 main points, and the conclusion. Some commonly used words are firstly, secondly, finally, for example, therefore, because, etc. 
• When the lecture ends, make use of 10 seconds to arrange the notes. If you have already practiced how to express the topic, connect the main points, and conclude the summary, you will be able to give a well-organized response. 
• When your microphone opens, start to speak confidently. Follow the prepared template and give an answer in the given time. 
• If, unfortunately, you make a mistake while speaking, you shouldn’t stop. Instead, you can correct it by saying: “What I mean is ….” 
• It’s better to speak at an average and natural speed because you can focus better on your pronunciation and fluency. 
• Let’s say the time is running out, but you haven’t finished the main points. You can skip one of them and move to the conclusion. It’s significant to show you know how to start and end a summary. 

Related:

• PTE preparation strategies for 79+ scores

How To Manage Time For This PTE Retell Lecture Section?

Even though candidates all prepare before the exam day, many cannot pass it because of poor time management. 

In the first few seconds, note down the keywords of the templates. It means words such as “topic, discussed, described, mentioned, talked about, etc.”

During the 10 seconds after the lecture ends, try to organize your notes and possibly edit them. In the next 40 seconds, you will have to retell them. During retelling, pay attention to the notes and keep an eye on the time so you can control what you are saying.

What Not To Do In The PTE Retell Lecture Section

The PTE Retell Lecture is a challenging task. You’ll likely make mistakes if you don’t understand the audio. Recognizing these mistakes is your first step toward creating an effective plan:

• Going over the time limit: Having 40 seconds to speak is not enough for some test-takers, as they get confused with many details and lose track of time. This leads to responses being cut off mid-sentence, leading to unfinished answers and affecting their fluency score. A good response should be around 38 seconds for better time adjustment.
• Repeating the audio: This is another issue that often happens when test-takers struggle to understand the audio. These candidates rely too much on memorizing exact phrases from the audio. However, repeating the audio without showing your understanding by using your own words leads to a low content score. The task tests how well you can understand and capture key ideas, not how well you can recall them.
• Adding unrelated information: This happens to test-takers who panic and try to fill in the answers with guesses. However, unrelated details can confuse the scoring system and make it harder to assess the accuracy criterion. It’s crucial to follow the main message of the audio.
• Poor structure: This mistake leads to unclear answers. Your response will be disorganized and hard to follow without a logical flow. Approach the task with a structured format that includes an introduction, key points, and an ending to ensure clarity.
• Weak vocabulary and pronunciation: This will make your speech difficult to understand. Wrongly pronounced words or poor word choices will change the meaning of your sentences, leading to lower content and pronunciation scores. Therefore, a clear and correct answer is crucial to success in this task.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Can I Increase My Score in the Retell Lecture Task?

Fluency and vocabulary matter in this task. A strong vocabulary, clarity, and smooth delivery will increase your Retell Lecture score. Additionally, avoid complex terms, focus on crucial phrases, and communicate effectively.

What Does The Retell Lecture Task Involve?

You have 10 seconds to prepare after the lecture finishes. After that, the microphone will open and you have 40 seconds to answer. You shouldn’t repeat it word by word, and must summarize the key details in your own words.

How Long Does The Retell Lecture Task Last?

Each lecture lasts between 60 and 90 seconds. Once the lecture recording ends, you have 40 seconds to deliver your spoken summary. Use your time wisely.

Why is the Retell Lecture task important?

More than just a listening test, this task tests how well you can process and summarize spoken information. Having a good Retell Lecture score will strongly make a difference in your overall score.

How Many Retell Lecture Questions Are On The Test?

Expect two to three Retell Lecture questions in the test. Each question is your chance to prove comprehension and speaking skills.

Last Words

The PTE retell lecture is a crucial section of PTE speaking. To conquer it, you must understand its format and scoring. You must also learn the template by heart and apply it to your response.

Learning some tips and strategies for this section is also worthwhile since it can improve your score. Try to read and practice them many times before the test day. 

Whenever you practice, don’t forget to set your time properly. Proper time management is essential for getting a good score. 

We hope this article is useful to you and wish you success in this task.