PTE · Respond to a Situation

Community Allotments and Gardening: PTE Respond to a Situation practice questions

5 original Respond to a Situation questions. Question 1 is free to record, play back and compare with a sample answer right here; log in free to practise the rest in the BandLadder app.
  • 5 questions
  • Question 1 free, no login
  • PTE Academic and PTE Core
1

Missed Campus Garden Session

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Read and listen to the situation below. You have 10 seconds to prepare (20 in PTE Core), then 40 seconds to say what you would say. Answer as fully as you can.

You missed your weekly volunteer shift at the university allotment on Wednesday because you had an urgent tutorial. You are speaking to the student coordinator. Apologise for your absence, explain what happened, and offer to make up the lost hours during the weekend compost delivery. What would you say to the coordinator?

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Questions 2–5

Read and listen to the situation below. You have 10 seconds to prepare (20 in PTE Core), then 40 seconds to say what you would say. Answer as fully as you can.

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2

Damaged Seedlings Delivery

You ordered several heirloom tomato seedlings from a local plant nursery, but they arrived yesterday with crushed stems and dried soil. You are speaking to the nursery assistant on the phone. Politely explain the damage, request a replacement batch before Friday's planting session, and ask for suitable delivery packaging. What would you say?

3

Sharing Rainwater Supplies

A dry spell has emptied your neighbour's rainwater barrel on the community allotment site. You have two full water butts and want to offer them access until next week's rain. You are speaking to your neighbour. Advise them to use your supply, mention the tap attachment, and suggest watering early to conserve moisture. What would you say?

4

Postponing Soil Chemistry Fieldwork

You and your classmate arranged to collect soil samples from the botanical garden on Thursday for your environmental science project. Heavy rain has waterlogged the site. You are speaking to your classmate to suggest rescheduling for Monday and doing the laboratory prep work instead. What would you say to your classmate?

5

Overhanging Allotment Tree

A large fruit tree from an adjacent plot is shading your vegetable patch and dropping branches over your bean frame. You are speaking to the plot holder. Politely explain how the shade is affecting your crops, ask if they can prune the branches this weekend, and offer to help clear the debris. What would you say?

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