Respond to a Situation · #RTS1-073
Morning Class Clash
Question #RTS1-073
The situation
You work part-time at a café and usually start at eight. Your new timetable has a compulsory nine o'clock lecture on Tuesdays, so you cannot do the opening shift that day. Speak to your manager before your shift: explain the clash, offer to work a different day or a later start, and ask whether that works.
How to answer: structure and key points
How to answer
- Decide who you are speaking to, and choose a tone to match (friendly for friends, polite and more formal for staff or a teacher).
- Greet them and say why you are speaking.
- Cover each part of the situation in turn: the problem, what you need, and a suggestion.
- Close politely, for example with thanks or by agreeing a next step.
- Speak as you would in real life; there is no single correct answer.
Points to cover here
You are speaking to: your cafe manager before work. Tone: flexible and respectful.
- Explain that Tuesday's required nine o'clock lecture prevents you opening the cafe.
- Offer another workday or a later starting time instead.
- Ask which alternative would fit the cafe's staffing needs.
These are key points and a structure written by RealPTE, not a script to memorise: say or write it in your own words.
Questions about this question
How do I answer PTE Respond to a Situation #RTS1-073?
Decide who you are speaking to, and choose a tone to match (friendly for friends, polite and more formal for staff or a teacher). Greet them and say why you are speaking. The key points above cover 3 ideas from this question.
How do I get full marks on this Respond to a Situation question?
Answer every part of the situation in a tone that suits the listener, and speak naturally for the time you have.
Can I practise #RTS1-073 with scoring?
Yes. The practice button on this page opens question #RTS1-073 in the RealPTE practice screen, where your answer is scored when you finish.
Model answer
Hi, could I grab you for a minute before we open? My new semester timetable just came out, and unfortunately I've got a compulsory lecture at nine every Tuesday with attendance marked. That means I can't do the eight o'clock opening shift on Tuesdays anymore. I'm really keen to keep my hours, though, so I could start at eleven on Tuesdays instead, or take the Thursday morning shift if that's still open. Would either of those work for the roster? Thanks for being flexible, I really appreciate it.