🔶 Part 1 — Tutorial

How to answer “Re-tell Lecture” (Step-by-step Guide)

The “Re-tell Lecture” task in the PTE Academic Speaking test assesses your ability to listen, understand, and present information clearly. You will listen to a short lecture (approximately 90 seconds). After that, you have 10 seconds to prepare and 40 seconds to re-tell the main points. Follow the steps below carefully.

Step 1 — Active Listening

As the lecture plays, focus on the main idea, supporting details, and any examples. Don’t try to memorize every single word. Instead, identify keywords such as dates, numbers, causes, effects, or processes. These keywords will act as memory anchors when you re-tell the lecture.

Example: If the lecture talks about climate change, keywords may include: temperature rise, carbon emissions, melting glaciers, human activity.
Step 2 — Note-taking

Use the erasable notepad provided during the exam. Write down short forms, arrows, and symbols rather than full sentences. Organize notes in a way that shows logical flow, such as problem → cause → effect → solution. This will make it easier to reconstruct the lecture later.

Example Note Style: Glaciers ↓ → Sea ↑ → Flood risk ↑ → Human relocation.
Step 3 — Preparation (10 seconds)

After the lecture ends, you have 10 seconds before the recorder starts. Quickly scan your notes, decide the starting sentence, and mentally group points in order. A good strategy is to begin with a general sentence, then expand with details, and finish with a conclusion.

Example Starter: “The lecture was mainly about the effects of climate change on sea levels.”
Step 4 — Delivery (40 seconds)

When speaking, maintain a steady pace. Avoid long pauses and fillers like “umm” or “you know.” Use linking words such as firstly, moreover, as a result, in conclusion to make your answer structured. Don’t rush, and keep your intonation natural.

Step 5 — Using the Universal Template

Here is a sentence-by-sentence template you can use to answer any “Re-tell Lecture” question. Practice filling it with keywords from the lecture.

  1. “The lecture was mainly about [main topic].”
  2. “The speaker first mentioned [point 1].”
  3. “Then, it was explained that [point 2].”
  4. “In addition, the lecture highlighted [point 3].”
  5. “Finally, the speaker concluded by emphasizing [conclusion].”
Step 6 — Practice Consistently

Repetition and self-practice are the keys to success. Record yourself regularly and compare with sample answers. Notice your fluency, pronunciation, and whether you are covering all key points. Over time, your performance will improve, and you will feel confident during the test.

🔷 Part 2 — Task

Re-tell Lecture Task

Listen carefully to the lecture. You will have 10 seconds to prepare and then 40 seconds to re-tell the lecture in your own words. Focus on the main idea, supporting points, and conclusion.

🎧 Lecture Audio

📖 Transcript (Click to Show/Hide)
Show/Hide Transcript

In recent decades, urban farming has gained significant attention as cities face the dual challenges of feeding growing populations and reducing environmental impacts. Urban agriculture, which includes rooftop gardens, vertical farms, and community plots, offers a sustainable way to produce food close to consumers. Unlike traditional farming, these methods reduce transportation costs and carbon emissions by minimizing the distance food must travel. Additionally, urban farms often use innovative technologies such as hydroponics and aquaponics, which allow crops to grow without soil and with much less water. This makes food production more efficient and resilient in the face of climate change and limited resources. Furthermore, community-based farming projects strengthen social ties, improve food security, and provide educational opportunities for local residents. Critics argue that urban farming cannot replace large-scale agriculture, but most experts agree that it can complement it by providing fresh produce and raising awareness about sustainable practices. In summary, urban farming represents not only an environmental solution but also a social initiative that brings communities together while addressing pressing global issues of food and sustainability.

⏱️ Timers

Standard Timer: 10 seconds preparation + 40 seconds speaking.

Custom Timer Option: sec prep + sec speaking

🎤 Recorder

10 seconds preparation + 40 seconds recording. You can pause, stop, play back, and download your answer.

📤 Submit Your Answer










🟣 Part 3 — Sample Answers

🎤 Model Audio

📝 Sample Answer (Transcript)
Show/Hide Sample Answer

The lecture was mainly about urban farming and its role in addressing food and environmental challenges. The speaker first explained that urban agriculture includes rooftop gardens, vertical farms, and community plots. Then, it was highlighted that these methods reduce transportation costs and lower carbon emissions. In addition, the lecture described innovative technologies such as hydroponics and aquaponics, which save water and increase efficiency. Moreover, it was emphasized that community-based farming strengthens social ties and provides educational benefits. Finally, the speaker concluded by stating that although urban farming cannot replace large-scale agriculture, it complements it by offering fresh produce and raising awareness of sustainability. In conclusion, the lecture stressed that urban farming is both an environmental solution and a social initiative.

📘 Step-by-Step Explanation

1. The answer begins with a clear introductory sentence: “The lecture was mainly about urban farming...” This ensures the examiner knows you understood the main topic.

2. The candidate follows the universal template by moving from the introduction to the first point. This structure helps maintain coherence and organization.

3. Key details are included, such as “rooftop gardens, vertical farms, and community plots,” which demonstrates active listening and accurate note-taking.

4. The student correctly mentions the reduction of transportation costs and carbon emissions, which captures one of the lecture’s central ideas.

5. Linking words such as “then,” “in addition,” and “moreover” are used, making the delivery fluent and connected rather than fragmented.

6. The explanation of hydroponics and aquaponics shows that the speaker included technological aspects, which enriches the re-telling with precise content.

7. Mentioning “community-based farming strengthens social ties” reflects the social impact of urban farming, another key lecture idea.

8. The conclusion is well-rounded: the candidate states that urban farming cannot replace large-scale agriculture but can complement it. This matches the lecturer’s final remark.

9. The closing sentence emphasizes the dual role of urban farming — environmental and social — which demonstrates complete understanding of the lecture.

10. Pronunciation, pacing, and intonation in the sample answer are clear and steady, making the response easy to follow. This would earn a high score for fluency.

11. The candidate avoids unnecessary fillers like “umm” or “you know,” which keeps the delivery professional and academic in tone.

12. The sample answer length is balanced, fitting neatly within the 40-second time frame, which is crucial for exam conditions.

13. The vocabulary is academic but accessible, showing lexical resource without being overly complex.

14. Each sentence directly relates to lecture content, avoiding repetition or irrelevant detail, which ensures high content marks.

15. Overall, the answer demonstrates strong note-taking, clear structure, and confident delivery, all of which are essential to achieve a high score in the PTE “Re-tell Lecture” task.

🟢 Part 4 — Vocabularies

Key Vocabulary from the Lecture

Study the following words carefully. Each entry includes pronunciation, usage, meaning, and common mistakes to help you master them for academic speaking.

Urban farming /ˈɜːbən ˈfɑːmɪŋ/ (BrE) • /ˈɝːbən ˈfɑːrmɪŋ/ (AmE)

noun phrase

Pattern: urban farming + helps/promotes/encourages

Definition: The practice of cultivating, processing, and distributing food in or around urban areas.

Example: “Urban farming provides fresh vegetables to city residents.” (It explains the role of food production in cities.)

Synonyms: city farming, metropolitan agriculture

Common mistakes: Learners often confuse “urban farming” with “urban planning.” The former is about agriculture, not city design.

Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl̩/ (BrE) • /səˈsteɪnəbl̩/ (AmE)

adjective

Pattern: sustainable + development/solution/approach

Definition: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without exhausting resources.

Example: “Hydroponics is considered a sustainable method of growing crops.” (It highlights long-term viability.)

Synonyms: renewable, eco-friendly

Common mistakes: Many students use “sustain” incorrectly as a synonym for “maintain.” “Sustainable” relates specifically to environmental and resource balance.

Hydroponics /ˌhaɪdrəˈpɒnɪks/ (BrE) • /ˌhaɪdrəˈpɑːnɪks/ (AmE)

noun (uncountable)

Pattern: hydroponics + allows/enables/supports

Definition: A method of growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient solutions in water.

Example: “Hydroponics enables farming in areas with poor soil.” (It explains the technique’s usefulness.)

Synonyms: soilless cultivation

Common mistakes: Learners often pluralize incorrectly (“hydroponic” instead of “hydroponics”).

Aquaponics /ˌækwəˈpɒnɪks/ (BrE) • /ˌækwəˈpɑːnɪks/ (AmE)

noun (uncountable)

Pattern: aquaponics + combines/uses/integrates

Definition: A system combining aquaculture (raising fish) with hydroponics (growing plants without soil).

Example: “Aquaponics combines fish farming with vegetable production.” (It shows its dual function.)

Synonyms: integrated aquaculture, closed-loop farming

Common mistakes: Students often confuse aquaponics with hydroponics; aquaponics involves fish.

Resilient /rɪˈzɪliənt/ (BrE) • /rɪˈzɪljənt/ (AmE)

adjective

Pattern: resilient + to/against

Definition: Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.

Example: “Urban farming makes food systems more resilient to climate change.”

Synonyms: strong, adaptable

Common mistakes: Learners sometimes confuse “resilient” with “resistant.” “Resilient” means able to recover, not just resist.

Community /kəˈmjuːnəti/ (BrE) • /kəˈmjuːnədi/ (AmE)

noun (countable/uncountable)

Pattern: community + support/project/initiative

Definition: A group of people living in the same place or sharing common characteristics.

Example: “Community gardens bring neighbors together.”

Synonyms: society, collective

Common mistakes: Students sometimes pluralize incorrectly when speaking (“communities” used when referring to one group).

Food security /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərəti/ (BrE) • /fuːd sɪˈkjʊrəti/ (AmE)

noun phrase

Pattern: ensure/improve food security

Definition: The state of having reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.

Example: “Urban farms play an important role in strengthening food security.”

Synonyms: food stability, nutrition safety

Common mistakes: Learners often confuse with “food safety” (which refers to hygiene, not availability).

Critics /ˈkrɪtɪks/ (BrE & AmE)

noun (plural)

Pattern: critics + argue/suggest/claim

Definition: People who express opinions that point out faults or disadvantages.

Example: “Critics argue that urban farming cannot replace traditional agriculture.”

Synonyms: opponents, sceptics

Common mistakes: Students confuse “critics” (people) with “criticism” (the act of judging).

Complement /ˈkɒmplɪment/ (BrE) • /ˈkɑːmpləment/ (AmE)

verb

Pattern: complement + noun (system, idea, process)

Definition: To add something that improves or completes another thing.

Example: “Urban farming complements large-scale agriculture.”

Synonyms: enhance, supplement

Common mistakes: Many learners confuse “complement” with “compliment” (praise).

Sustainability /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ (BrE) • /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ (AmE)

noun (uncountable)

Pattern: promote/achieve sustainability

Definition: The ability to maintain ecological balance by avoiding depletion of resources.

Example: “Urban farming promotes sustainability in cities.”

Synonyms: environmental balance, green living

Common mistakes: Students sometimes shorten incorrectly as “sustain” when speaking about the concept.

🟠 Part 5 — Phrases & Expressions

Key Phrases & Expressions from the Lecture

Learn these expressions to improve fluency and coherence in your “Re-tell Lecture” answers. They help you structure ideas and sound more academic.

Gain significant attention /ɡeɪn sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt əˈtɛnʃn/ (BrE & AmE)

verb phrase

Pattern: gain significant attention + for/from

Definition: To attract a large amount of interest or notice.

Example: “Urban farming has gained significant attention in recent years.”

Synonyms: attract notice, draw interest

Common mistakes: Learners often say “win attention” (incorrect) instead of “gain attention.”

Face challenges /feɪs ˈʧælɪndʒɪz/ (BrE & AmE)

verb phrase

Pattern: face challenges + in/when/while

Definition: To deal with difficulties or problems.

Example: “Cities face challenges in feeding growing populations.”

Synonyms: encounter difficulties, confront obstacles

Common mistakes: Many learners incorrectly say “fight challenges” instead of “face challenges.”

Close to consumers /kləʊz tuː kənˈsjuːməz/ (BrE) • /kloʊz tuː kənˈsuːmɚz/ (AmE)

prepositional phrase

Pattern: produce/provide + close to consumers

Definition: Near the people who use or buy goods.

Example: “Urban farms grow food close to consumers.”

Synonyms: nearby, within reach

Common mistakes: Learners often confuse “close” (near) with “closed” (shut).

Transportation costs /ˌtrænspɔːˈteɪʃn kɒsts/ (BrE) • /ˌtrænspɔːrˈteɪʃn kɑːsts/ (AmE)

noun phrase

Pattern: reduce/lower/increase + transportation costs

Definition: The expenses of moving goods or people from one place to another.

Example: “Urban farming reduces transportation costs.”

Synonyms: delivery expenses, shipping costs

Common mistakes: Students sometimes mispronounce “transportation” as “transportion.”

Carbon emissions /ˈkɑːbən ɪˈmɪʃnz/ (BrE) • /ˈkɑːrbən ɪˈmɪʃnz/ (AmE)

noun phrase

Pattern: reduce/limit/control + carbon emissions

Definition: The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Example: “Urban agriculture helps reduce carbon emissions.”

Synonyms: greenhouse gases, CO₂ release

Common mistakes: Some learners say “carbon omits” instead of “carbon emissions.”

Strengthen social ties /ˈstrɛŋθn ˈsəʊʃl taɪz/ (BrE) • /ˈstrɛŋθən ˈsoʊʃl taɪz/ (AmE)

verb phrase

Pattern: strengthen social ties + among/between

Definition: To make relationships in a community stronger.

Example: “Community farming strengthens social ties among residents.”

Synonyms: build relationships, foster unity

Common mistakes: Students often confuse “ties” (connections) with “ties” (clothing item). Context matters.

Provide educational opportunities /prəˈvaɪd ˌɛdjuˈkeɪʃnəl ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪtiz/ (BrE) • /prəˈvaɪd ˌɛdʒəˈkeɪʃnəl ˌɑːpərˈtuːnətiz/ (AmE)

verb phrase

Pattern: provide educational opportunities + for/to

Definition: To give chances for learning or skill development.

Example: “Urban farms provide educational opportunities for children.”

Synonyms: offer learning chances, deliver training

Common mistakes: Learners sometimes say “give education opportunities” instead of “provide educational opportunities.”

Raise awareness /reɪz əˈweənəs/ (BrE) • /reɪz əˈwɛrnəs/ (AmE)

verb phrase

Pattern: raise awareness + of/about

Definition: To make people more informed or conscious of an issue.

Example: “Urban farming raises awareness of sustainable practices.”

Synonyms: increase understanding, promote knowledge

Common mistakes: Learners often say “rise awareness” (incorrect) instead of “raise awareness.”

Pressing global issues /ˈprɛsɪŋ ˈɡləʊbl ˈɪʃuːz/ (BrE) • /ˈprɛsɪŋ ˈɡloʊbəl ˈɪʃuːz/ (AmE)

noun phrase

Pattern: pressing global issues + such as/including

Definition: Very urgent worldwide problems that need immediate attention.

Example: “Sustainability is one of the pressing global issues today.”

Synonyms: urgent challenges, critical problems

Common mistakes: Students sometimes confuse “pressing” with “pressured.” “Pressing” means urgent, not stressful.

Environmental solution /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntl səˈluːʃn/ (BrE) • /ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntl səˈluːʃn/ (AmE)

noun phrase

Pattern: provide/represent/offer + environmental solution

Definition: An action or method that addresses problems related to the natural environment.

Example: “Urban farming represents an environmental solution to food shortages.”

Synonyms: ecological remedy, green strategy

Common mistakes: Learners sometimes say “environment solution” (missing ‘-al’), which is incorrect.

🔺 Part 6 — Vocabulary & Expressions Review Quiz

Interactive Review Quiz

This quiz will test your knowledge of vocabulary and expressions from the lecture. Each attempt will display 10 random questions from a 30-question pool. After each answer, you’ll see a detailed explanation to help you improve.