PTE Academic Writing Skills 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In PTE Academic's Summarize Written Text task, the response must be written as:
- A paragraph of 3–5 sentences
- A single complex sentence of 5–75 words (Correct answer)
- A bullet-point list of key ideas
- Two to three short sentences
Correct answer: A single complex sentence of 5–75 words
The Summarize Written Text task specifically requires ONE sentence of 5–75 words that captures the main idea. Writing more than one sentence results in a score of zero for the content criterion.
Question 2: Which writing approach is most appropriate for a PTE Academic argumentative essay?
- Present only one perspective with personal opinions and emotional language
- Present a balanced argument with a clear position, supporting evidence, and formal language (Correct answer)
- Write in a narrative story format with personal anecdotes
- Use bullet points and numbered lists throughout
Correct answer: Present a balanced argument with a clear position, supporting evidence, and formal language
PTE Academic essays require a formal, academic register with a clear thesis, balanced argumentation, evidence-based reasoning, and coherent paragraph structure. Personal stories and informal language reduce scores.
Question 3: Which verb form correctly completes: "The data ______ that climate change is accelerating."
- suggest
- suggests (Correct answer)
- are suggesting
- have suggested
Correct answer: suggests
"Suggests" is correct because "data" in contemporary academic English is treated as an uncountable (singular) noun when referring to information as a whole. Present simple is appropriate for stating research conclusions.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a "counterargument" in a PTE Academic essay?
- To undermine your own argument completely
- To acknowledge an opposing view and then refute it, strengthening your position (Correct answer)
- To provide additional supporting evidence for your main point
- To summarize the conclusion of your essay
Correct answer: To acknowledge an opposing view and then refute it, strengthening your position
Including a counterargument demonstrates critical thinking. By acknowledging and then refuting an opposing view, writers show awareness of complexity and strengthen their own argument. This is highly valued in PTE Academic essay scoring.
Question 5: Which phrase is an appropriate way to introduce a second main argument in a PTE Academic essay?
- Like I said before,
- Furthermore, a second key consideration is (Correct answer)
- Anyway, another point is
- And also we can say that
Correct answer: Furthermore, a second key consideration is
"Furthermore, a second key consideration is" uses formal academic discourse. Informal connectors like "like I said," "anyway," and "and also" are inappropriate for academic writing and would lower the PTE written discourse score.
Question 6: In PTE Academic essay scoring, which criterion assesses the logical flow and structure of ideas?
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Written Discourse (Correct answer)
- Spelling
Correct answer: Written Discourse
Written Discourse assesses the structure and coherence of the response — how well ideas are organized, developed, and connected. Grammar assesses sentence construction, vocabulary assesses word choice, and spelling assesses orthographic accuracy.
PTE Academic Writing Skills 2
In PTE Academic's Summarize Written Text task, the response must be written as: