You're studying in a coffee shop, but it's about to…
Respond to the situation.
You're studying in a coffee shop, but it's about to close. Since you need to keep studying late into the evening, you ask one of the staff if there are any other coffee shops nearby that are still open. What would you say?
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: cafe staff. Tone: polite.
- Explain that your study session needs to continue.
- Ask for nearby venues with later closing times.
- Thank the staff for a recommendation.
These are key points and a structure written by RealPTE, not a script to memorise: say or write it in your own words.
RealPTE numbers
- 5 students practised this question on RealPTE
- In this week's prediction list
From RealPTE practice records and students’ “I sat this” reports, counted weekly (last count 2026-10-31). Reports are what students tell us; predictions are not guaranteed.
Questions about this question
How do I answer PTE Respond to a Situation #RTS7-001?
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 #RTS7-001 with scoring?
Yes. The practice button on this page opens question #RTS7-001 in the RealPTE practice screen, where your answer is scored when you finish.
Opens question #RTS7-001 in the RealPTE practice screen.
Respond to a Situation format (Pearson)
| Prompt | A situation you hear and read, up to 60 words |
|---|---|
| Preparation | 10 seconds |
| Time to answer | 40 seconds |
| Skills assessed | Speaking |
| Scored on | Content; Pronunciation; Oral fluency |
How it is scored
- Partial credit applies: a partly correct response still scores.
- Traits are scored by AI; a human expert also reviews Content before the score is final.
- You can take notes while you listen.
- The recording plays only once.
- You can record your response only once.
Source: Pearson, PTE Academic & UKVI test format, Part 1: Speaking & Writing, checked 9 October 2026. New task dates: PTE Academic updates 2025.