Part 1: Speaking & Writing

Respond to a Situation

Can you read an everyday situation and reply as you would in real life: covering what is needed, in the right tone for the listener?

Counts towards
  • Speaking

The task

At a glance

  • In one test2–3 questions
  • You getA situation of up to 60 words, shown and read out
  • Before you answerup to 60 words
  • Your answer40 s
Timing, from start to finish
  1. 1. Read and listenup to 60 words
  2. 2. Think10 s
  3. 3. Beep
  4. 4. Respond40 s

Scoring

How you earn points

How it is scored

Partial credit. A human expert also reviews your Content. New from 7 August 2025.

  • Content0–6Achieves the goal of the situation, fully developed and in the right tone
  • Pronunciation0–5Clear vowels, consonants and word stress
  • Oral Fluency0–5Smooth rhythm and phrasing, no hesitations or restarts

Scored by AI, and a human expert reviews the content before the score is final.

Zero score: Pearson gives no credit for "no answer or an irrelevant answer".

Content rewards a reply that fully achieves the goal in the right tone, so cover every part of the prompt and add your own reasons and details.

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  • 4-step method
  • 3 visual examples
  • 4 common mistakes to avoid
  • 4-question self-check
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