Your friend is planning to visit a location far from…
Respond to the situation.
Your friend is planning to visit a location far from their home and is considering driving. However, you believe taking the train could be a more convenient option. Your friend is undecided between driving and taking the train. How would you recommend the train as the better choice, and what key points would you emphasize to convince them of its advantages?
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: a friend. Tone: helpful.
- Suggest checking the train option.
- Compare its convenience with the proposed drive.
- Let them weigh the route and practical details.
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 #RTS7-068?
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 #RTS7-068 with scoring?
Yes. The practice button on this page opens question #RTS7-068 in the RealPTE practice screen, where your answer is scored when you finish.
Opens question #RTS7-068 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.