You would like to apply for a position at the…
Respond to the situation.
You would like to apply for a position at the school caff, but you're aware that the manager prefers candidates with prior experience. Although you don't have that experience yet, you are enthusiastic, willing to learn, and ready to put in the effort. How would you express your interest and convince the manager to give you a chance?
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 manager. Tone: enthusiastic and honest.
- Express interest in the vacancy.
- Acknowledge your lack of prior experience.
- Explain your willingness to train and work hard.
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
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 #RTS7-058?
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 #RTS7-058 with scoring?
Yes. The practice button on this page opens question #RTS7-058 in the RealPTE practice screen, where your answer is scored when you finish.
Opens question #RTS7-058 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.