How Multiple Choice, Single Answer works
You read a passage of up to 300 words, then a question with several options. Only one option is correct, and you select it with a radio button. The question may target a specific detail, the main idea, the writer's purpose or attitude, or something the passage implies without stating directly.
The Reading part runs 23 to 30 minutes in total, so keep a few minutes in reserve for this task rather than spending them all on earlier items. For the full layout of the section, see the PTE reading guide.
What is scored
The item is marked correct or incorrect. There is no partial credit and no minus mark, so never leave it unanswered. If you have run short of time, eliminate what you can and choose from what remains.
How to answer
- Read the question before the passage. Knowing what you are looking for turns a general read into a focused one.
- Identify the question type. Detail questions send you to one part of the text. Main idea and purpose questions need the whole passage.
- Form your own answer first. Before reading the options, say in a few words what you think the answer is. This protects you from attractive distractors.
- Eliminate. Cross out options that contradict the passage, go beyond it, or answer a different question.
- Compare the last two carefully. The correct option matches both the content and the scope of the question.
Common mistakes
- Choosing an option that is true according to the passage but does not answer the question asked.
- For main idea questions, picking an option that covers only one paragraph (too narrow) or makes a claim bigger than the text (too broad).
- Inferring too much. An implied answer still has to follow directly from what the passage says.
- Being drawn to an option because it repeats exact words from the text.
Question types you will meet
- Detail: "According to the passage, what caused..." Find the sentence and match it closely.
- Main idea: "What is the passage mainly about?" Choose the option that covers every paragraph.
- Purpose: "Why does the writer mention..." Ask what the example is doing in the argument, not what it says.
- Attitude: "What is the writer's view of..." Look at evaluative words such as unfortunately, promising or questionable.
- Inference: "What can be inferred..." The answer is not stated but must be the only reasonable conclusion.
After each practice item, note which type it was and whether you got it right. A pattern of misses on one type tells you exactly what to work on.