What Answer Short Question is
Answer Short Question is one of the seven scored task types in Part 1 (Speaking and Writing) of PTE Core, and you get 5 to 6 questions in a test. You hear a short spoken question, then answer out loud in one or two words. Part 1 runs 50 to 65 minutes and mixes it in with Read Aloud, Repeat Sentence, Describe Image and the rest.
The instruction is on screen and in the audio: "You will hear a question. Please give a simple and short answer." Pearson adds: often just one or a few words is enough.
Why brevity beats grammar here
Elsewhere you are marked on how well you speak; here the word itself is the score. In Pearson's PTE Core Score Guide it is scored correct or incorrect, and the only trait listed is Vocabulary: 1 point for appropriate word choice in response, 0 for inappropriate word choice. There is no fluency, pronunciation or grammar trait here.
That single fact decides how you answer. "Edmonton" is appropriate word choice. "I think the capital city of Alberta is probably Edmonton" is not what the task asked for, and the extra words earn you nothing. Say the word, then stop. The task is integrated, so every item counts towards both Listening and Speaking.
Worked examples from this page's question bank
Real questions from the bank this page draws on, with the answer it accepts.
| What you hear | Accepted answer |
|---|---|
| What is the capital city of the province of Alberta? | Edmonton |
| In which city is the CN Tower located? | Toronto |
| What is the national animal of Canada? | Beaver |
| What card do you need to see a doctor for free in Canada? | Health card |
| What does OHIP stand for? | Ontario Health Insurance Plan |
| What number do you call in Canada for a fire or ambulance? | 911 |
| What holiday celebrates Canadian independence on July 1st? | Canada Day |
Every answer is a city, a term, a title or a number. The bank leans on Canadian daily life, so the same vocabulary returns, which is why a short rehearsal list works.
What is scored
Pearson marks each item correct or incorrect. One trait appears in the Score Guide for this task, Vocabulary, scored 1 or 0, and the item feeds your Listening and Speaking scores and your overall score.
Checking works differently here: your recording is transcribed with speech-to-text and compared to the answer key in the result card, so the verdict is practice feedback, not a Pearson score. If the tool reports unclear audio, record again.
The three most common mistakes
- Answering in a sentence. Extra grammar earns nothing and pushes your word choice away from the appropriate answer. Give the word and wait.
- Offering two answers. "Toronto, or maybe Vancouver" is a wrong choice of words even if one name is right. Commit to one answer and stop talking.
- Treating it as general knowledge. The topics repeat: Canadian geography, landmarks, national symbols, health services, government services, holidays and daily life. Rehearse that vocabulary out loud.
Listening and Speaking CLB bands
This task scores towards both Listening and Speaking, so watch those two columns. Federal Skilled Worker and Canadian Experience Class at TEER 0 or 1 need CLB 7 in every ability; TEER 2 or 3 need CLB 5. These are Pearson's bands for the first official language:
| CLB | Listening | Speaking | Points per ability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 60–70 | 68–75 | 4 |
| 8 | 71–81 | 76–83 | 5 |
| 9 | 82–88 | 84–88 | 6 |
| 10 and above | 89+ | 89+ | 6 |
A second official language at CLB 5 or above adds a flat 4 points, and the full four-skill table is in the CLB guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many Answer Short Question items will I get?
5 to 6 questions, in Part 1 of the test (Speaking and Writing). Part 1 runs 50 to 65 minutes and also contains the other six scored types in that part.
Should I answer with a full sentence?
No. The task is scored correct or incorrect and its only trait is Vocabulary: 1 point for appropriate word choice, 0 for inappropriate word choice. A place name is appropriate; a sentence wrapped around it adds nothing.
Which skills does Answer Short Question score towards?
Both Listening and Speaking, because it is an integrated task. Every item also contributes to your overall score, which is reported on a 10 to 90 scale.
How long should my answer be?
One or two words. Pearson asks for a simple and short answer, where often just one or a few words is enough. No word limit is published, because this is not a writing task.
Can I prepare for Answer Short Question?
Yes. The topics repeat: Canadian geography, landmarks, national symbols, healthcare, government services, public holidays and daily life. Learn the vocabulary for those areas and say each answer aloud once.
Is my answer checked by Pearson on this page?
No. This page transcribes your recording with speech-to-text and compares it to the answer key in the result card, so treat it as practice feedback. If the tool flags unclear audio, re-record.
Drill this task with Repeat Sentence practice, then sit a full Speaking or Listening mock in the free PTE Core mock test. For strategy across all 19 task types read the PTE Core tips guide and the CLB guide.