Listening
Highlight Correct Summary
You hear a recording of 30–90 seconds and choose the one paragraph that summarises it.
- Listening
- Reading
- Items on a test
- About 2–3
- Audio
- 30–90 seconds, once
- Correct options
- Exactly one
- Skills
- Listening and Reading
Item counts vary slightly by test form. The ranges follow Pearson’s PTE Academic test-taker score guide.
What this task asks
Several paragraphs are on screen and only one matches the recording. Pearson recommends that you listen and take notes first, then read the summaries. Reading all of them while you listen splits your attention.
The option you select is highlighted, and you can change it before you move on.
How scoring works
The response is correct or incorrect. No credit is given for no response or an incorrect response. There is no negative marking on this item.
It contributes to Listening and Reading.
Timings and scoring follow Pearson’s published format for Listening.
Tips that match the task
- 1
Note the topic, the speaker’s main claim, and one or two specific details such as a cause, a number, or a limitation.
- 2
After the audio, reject any summary that contradicts a detail you noted, or that adds a claim you did not hear.
- 3
Prefer the paragraph that covers the whole recording, not the one that describes only the opening example.
- 4
Watch for summaries that use the right topic words but reverse the relationship, such as a cause stated as an effect.
- 5
Select your best match even if you are not certain. A wrong answer scores 0, the same as leaving it blank, and there is no deduction.
- 6
Do not re-read four long paragraphs from scratch if your notes already eliminate two of them.
Common mistakes
- Reading the options during the audio and missing the second half of the recording.
- Choosing a paragraph that matches the introduction and ignores the conclusion.
- Picking a summary because it shares impressive vocabulary with the speaker, not because it says the same thing.
- Leaving the item blank out of caution that belongs to the negative-marking tasks.
- Changing a correct choice because another paragraph repeats a memorable phrase.
Frequently asked questions
How is Highlight Correct Summary scored?
Correct or incorrect. One paragraph is right. The item contributes to Listening and Reading. It does not use negative marking.
Should I read the summaries before I listen?
Pearson’s tip is to listen first, note the key ideas, and then read the options. The summaries are too long to read carefully while the recording plays.
How long is the recording?
About 30–90 seconds, played once. A test form includes about 2–3 of these items.
Practise Highlight Correct Summary on a real question
Open a free practice question in the LearnPTE app and try this task with instant feedback.