How to Tackle Multiple Choice Questions in PTE Listening?

 


The PTE (Pearson Test of English) Listening section includes multiple-choice questions that test a candidate's ability to comprehend spoken English. These questions assess how well test-takers can extract essential information, understand tone, and differentiate between correct and incorrect answers.

In this guide, we will break down effective strategies, advantages, common pitfalls, and expert tips to help you ace the Multiple-Choice, Single Answer, and Multiple Answer questions in the PTE Listening section.

Understanding Multiple-Choice Questions in PTE Listening

The PTE Listening section includes two types of multiple-choice questions:

Fact: The Listening section of PTE lasts 30–43 minutes, and MCQs appear randomly between other tasks like Fill in the Blanks and Highlight Incorrect Words.

Strategies to Tackle Multiple-Choice Questions

1. Skim the Question Before Listening

  • Before the audio starts, quickly read the question to understand what is being asked.

  • Identify key terms that indicate the required information (e.g., ‘main idea,’ ‘specific detail,’ or ‘opinion’).

2. Focus on the Keywords and Synonyms

  • The speaker may use synonyms or paraphrases rather than the exact words from the question.

  • Listen for key phrases like "the main point is...", "according to the speaker...", or "the study suggests..."

3. Eliminate Incorrect Options

  • Some choices will be partially correct but misleading.

  • Eliminate answers that contain extreme words (e.g., "always," "never") unless supported in the audio.

4. Take Notes While Listening

  • Write down important numbers, names, dates, or events.

  • Use shorthand and symbols to save time (e.g., “@” for ‘about,’ “w/” for ‘with’).

5. Don’t Rush to Answer

  • Listen to the complete audio before selecting an answer.

  • Reassess all options before finalizing.

6. Manage Your Time Wisely

  • Don’t spend too long on one question. The timer is running, and the next question awaits.

  • Allocate about 30-40 seconds per question.

Advantages of Mastering MCQs in PTE Listening


Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Ignoring the Question Before Listening – This leads to a lack of focus and missing important details.

  2. Choosing the First Correct Sounding Option – The test often includes misleading choices that appear correct at first glance.

  3. Not Considering All Options – Some choices are close in meaning, and selecting too quickly can lead to errors.

  4. Focusing Too Much on One Word – Instead of fixating on one word, understand the overall context.

  5. Guessing Too Many Answers in MCQ-MA – Since incorrect selections in MCQ-MA lead to negative marking, it's best to choose only confidently correct answers.

Example Practice Question

Audio Prompt: (A short lecture about climate change and its impact on agriculture is played.)

Question: What is the speaker’s main point?

A) Climate change has minimal effect on agriculture.
B) Rising temperatures are increasing crop yields.
C) Changes in climate patterns are affecting global food production.
D) Farmers have completely adapted to climate changes.

Correct Answer: C) Changes in climate patterns are affecting global food production.

Explanation: The speaker discusses how fluctuating weather conditions impact crop production worldwide. Other options either distort the facts or generalize too much.

How Gurully Can Help You Excel in PTE Listening?

Gurully is a leading platform for PTE preparation, offering a wide range of tools to help students master the Listening section, including MCQs. With AI-powered mock tests, real-time score predictions, Gurully ensures that test-takers can improve their listening skills effectively. Our platform provides:

  • Free PTE mock tests with real exam simulation.

  • Access to a large question bank with MCQs, Fill in the Blanks, and Summarization tasks.

  • Performance analytics to track progress.

  • Instant results to fine-tune strategies before the actual exam.

Join Gurully’s PTE practice tests today at https://www.gurully.com/ to enhance your score and ace the PTE Listening section with confidence!

Final Thoughts

Tackling multiple-choice questions in PTE Listening requires active listening, strategic elimination, and strong comprehension skills. By practicing regularly and using platforms like Gurully, you can sharpen your ability to recognize correct answers efficiently and improve your overall PTE score. Stick to structured strategies, avoid common mistakes, and consistently take mock tests to boost your confidence on test day.

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