PTE Summarize Spoken Text:
Six Sentences, 9 to 11 Words Each
Write nouns in your notes, build short sentences, and stop at 65 to 70 words. Here is the full method, step by step.
For Summarize Spoken Text, write only nouns and noun phrases in your notes. Then build six sentences of 9 to 11 words each. Connect them with linking words like furthermore and in addition to reach a total of 65 to 70 words. Use 2 minutes to listen, 6 minutes to write, and 2 minutes to check your work.
Most students try to write down everything the speaker says. Then they copy those notes into long, messy sentences. This method is simpler. It controls your sentence length, so you make fewer mistakes.
Notes — 01Write Nouns, Not Sentences
When the lecture plays, do not try to write full sentences. You will fall behind, and you will miss the next point.
Write only nouns and noun phrases. These are the words that carry the meaning. You will add the verbs and grammar later, when you write.
Word Count — 02Six Sentences, 9 to 11 Words Each
Every sentence should have 9 to 11 words. Write six of them. Then connect them with linking words. That brings your total to 65 to 70 words.
Why 9 to 11 words? A short sentence is easy to control. When a sentence gets long, it is much easier to make a grammar mistake.
words. Short enough to control, long enough to carry one full idea.
words, including your linking words. Enough to cover the main points of the lecture.
This is very different from Summarize Written Text, where you write one sentence of 35 to 45 words. If you want to know why I keep that task short, read why 60 to 70 words is costing you marks in Summarize Written Text.
Method — 03Two Ways to Build Each Sentence
There are two ways to turn your notes into sentences. Choose the one that matches your level.
Option 1: Subject, Verb, Object. This method is for students who often make grammar mistakes. Start with a short, simple sentence. Then add details, one piece at a time, until you reach 9 to 11 words.
With this method, use the past tense and keep your verbs simple. This helps you avoid subject-verb agreement mistakes.
Option 2: Freestyle. If your grammar is already strong, you can write freely. You can use any tense, and you can use words like can and may. There is only one rule: keep every sentence between 9 and 11 words.
Notice the present tense and the word "can". Both are fine in freestyle, as long as each sentence stays between 9 and 11 words.
Linking — 04Connect Your Sentences
Six separate sentences can sound like a list. Use linking words to connect your ideas, such as furthermore, in addition, and because.
Model Answer — 05Putting It All Together
Here is a finished summary of the eyewitness lecture, built with the Subject, Verb, Object method. Each sentence has 9 to 11 words. The linking words connect the sentences and bring the total into the 65 to 70 range.
Highlighted words are linking words. They are not part of each sentence's 9 to 11 word count.
Mistakes — 06The Mistakes I See Most Often
When I check student summaries in class, the same small mistakes keep coming back:
Typing errors and double spaces. There is no spell check in the exam. Check every word yourself.
Wrong word type. For example, seat is a noun and sit is a verb. Brakes and breaks also mean different things.
Articles with uncountable nouns. Write stress, not a stress.
Subject-verb agreement. Make sure the verb matches the subject. This is one reason the Subject, Verb, Object method uses the past tense.
Semicolons. If you are not sure how to use a semicolon, do not use one. A comma or a full stop is safer.
Timing — 07How to Use Your 10 Minutes
You have 10 minutes for each Summarize Spoken Text question. Here is how I recommend you use them:
Do not skip the last 2 minutes. Most of the mistakes above are easy to fix if you leave time to check.
Frequently Asked Questions
Aim for 65 to 70 words. Write six sentences of 9 to 11 words each, then connect them with linking words.
Write only nouns and noun phrases, not full sentences. These words carry the meaning of the lecture, and you add the grammar later when you write.
Short sentences are easier to control. When a sentence gets long, it is much easier to make a grammar mistake.
Assume that it does. Count a percentage symbol as one word when you check your total.
Use 2 minutes to listen and take notes, 6 minutes to write your sentences, and 2 minutes to check your spelling and grammar.
Every Technique, Tested the Same Way
Every technique taught in our program is tested against the real PTE exam under the current scoring system.
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