PTE SPEAKING october 2026

 PTE  SPEAKING october 2026

1. READ ALOUD

Text:

Bridge expansion joints allow structural movement caused by temperature changes while helping maintain a safe and functional road surface.

80+ Score Practice Tips:

Maintain a steady pace and pronounce technical words clearly.

Pay attention to word endings, especially joints, changes, and surface.

Pause naturally at meaningful phrase boundaries.

Avoid restarting or correcting yourself unnecessarily.

Practice Chunks:

Bridge expansion joints / allow structural movement / caused by temperature changes / while helping maintain / a safe and functional road surface.

2. REPEAT SENTENCE

Sentence:

Expansion joints require appropriate maintenance to remain effective under changing environmental conditions.

Practice Chunking:

Expansion joints require / appropriate maintenance / to remain effective / under changing environmental conditions.

80+ Score Tip: Listen for the main content words: expansion joints, appropriate maintenance, effective, and environmental conditions. Repeat the complete sentence in the original order without adding or replacing words.

3. DESCRIBE IMAGE

Question: The table shows the measured width of an expansion joint at three temperatures.

Temperature Joint width

5°C 42 mm

20°C 39 mm

35°C 36 mm

Sample Answer — 80+ Practice

The table illustrates the relationship between temperature and the width of a bridge expansion joint. Overall, the most noticeable feature is that the joint width decreases steadily as the temperature increases. Looking at the details, the width measures 42 millimetres at 5 degrees Celsius, compared with 39 millimetres at 20 degrees Celsius. Furthermore, it decreases to 36 millimetres when the temperature reaches 35 degrees Celsius. The figures show a consistent reduction of 3 millimetres between each successive measurement. In conclusion, the table highlights an inverse relationship between temperature and the measured joint width.

4. RESPOND TO A SITUATION

Situation: A colleague says that bridge expansion joints are unnecessary because concrete structures should remain the same size in all weather conditions.

Sample Answer — 80+ Practice

I understand why you might think that, but concrete structures can expand and contract as temperatures change. Expansion joints are designed to accommodate this movement and help prevent excessive stress, cracking and structural damage. Without suitable joints, temperature variations could affect the safety and durability of a bridge. Therefore, I believe expansion joints are essential, and their design and maintenance should not be overlooked.

5. ANSWER SHORT QUESTION

Question: What is the name of the structural feature that allows a bridge deck to expand and contract with temperature changes?

Answer: An expansion joint.

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PTE ACADEMIC — SPEAKING

1. READ ALOUD

Text:

Optical illusions occur when the brain interprets visual information differently from the physical properties of the scene being observed.

80+ Score Practice Tips:

Pronounce optical illusions, interprets, visual information, and physical properties clearly.

Maintain a natural rhythm without rushing.

Group related words into meaningful phrases.

Avoid unnecessary pauses in the middle of phrases.

Practice Chunks:

Optical illusions occur / when the brain interprets visual information / differently from the physical properties / of the scene being observed.

2. REPEAT SENTENCE

Sentence:

Context and previous experience can influence how people interpret visual information.

Practice Chunking:

Context and previous experience / can influence / how people interpret visual information.

80+ Score Tip: Focus on retaining the key words context, previous experience, influence, and visual information. Listen carefully to the complete sentence and reproduce its original word order.

3. DESCRIBE IMAGE

Question: The table shows the percentage of participants who selected the correct answer in three visual-perception tests.

Test Correct responses

Shape perception 82%

Depth perception 67%

Motion perception 74%

Sample Answer — 80+ Practice

The table illustrates the percentage of participants who answered three visual-perception tests correctly. Overall, shape perception recorded the highest success rate, whereas depth perception had the lowest. Looking at the details, 82% of participants answered the shape-perception test correctly, compared with 67% for depth perception. Furthermore, motion perception recorded a success rate of 74%, which was 7 percentage points higher than depth perception but 8 percentage points lower than shape perception. The figures indicate noticeable differences in participants' performance across the three tests. In conclusion, shape perception was the strongest area, while depth perception presented the greatest difficulty.

4. RETELL LECTURE

Lecture Topic: Optical Illusions and Visual Perception

Sample Answer — 80+ Practice

The lecture discusses optical illusions and explains how the brain interprets visual information using context, patterns and previous experience. It highlights that although these processes generally help people understand their surroundings, they can sometimes produce incorrect interpretations when images are ambiguous or deliberately misleading. Furthermore, researchers study optical illusions to understand how people perceive shape, depth, colour and movement. Overall, the lecture emphasises that visual perception involves both the information received through the eyes and the brain's interpretation of that information.

80+ Score Structure:

1. Introduce the main topic.

2. Explain the key concept.

3. Include the main supporting details.

4. Finish with the overall message.

5. ANSWER SHORT QUESTION

Question: What is the term for a visual experience in which an image is perceived differently from its physical properties?

Answer: An optical illusion.

6. SUMMARIZE GROUP DISCUSSION

Discussion Topic: Competitive Reality Television

Sample Answer — 80+ Practice

The discussion focuses on the advantages and concerns associated with competitive reality television. One student argues that these programmes introduce viewers to unfamiliar activities, making them entertaining and educational. Another participant expresses concern that editing can distort contestants' behaviour and create misleading impressions. The third student emphasises that programmes should be evaluated according to whether they represent participants fairly. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of balancing entertainment value with responsible editing and fair representation.

80+ Score Structure:

Introduce the discussion topic.

Summarise each speaker's main viewpoint.

Explain the central contrast or common concern.

Conclude with the overall message.

7. RESPOND TO A SITUATION

Situation: A friend insists that an optical illusion proves that human vision is unreliable.

Sample Answer — 80+ Practice

I understand your point, but I don't think an optical illusion proves that human vision is completely unreliable. Our visual system usually helps us recognise objects, judge distances and navigate our surroundings effectively. However, the brain sometimes misinterprets visual information when context, patterns or surrounding details create misleading impressions. Optical illusions demonstrate these limitations rather than proving that vision is generally useless. Therefore, I would say that human vision is highly useful, although it is not always perfect.