8. PTE Academic Reading Practice — Multiple Choice, Single Answer | History of Vaccines with Vocabulary & Quiz

In the Multiple Choice, Single Answer task, you will read a passage of about 100–300 words and then answer one question about it. You must choose the one correct option from a list of possible answers. The question might ask you to identify the main idea, specific detail, or an inference. Understanding the format will help you manage your time and expectations. You will have only a limited amount of time to answer, so you must read efficiently. The passage might contain information that is not directly related to the question, which you should ignore. This task tests your ability to understand, analyze, and interpret written information. The options will often look similar, so you need to read carefully. Sometimes the incorrect options are partially correct, which can be tricky. You will not lose points for leaving an answer blank, but guessing is usually better than skipping. The scoring is based only on whether you choose the right answer — there is no partial credit. Understanding this helps you avoid spending too much time trying to justify a wrong option. Always keep in mind that the right answer will be fully supported by the passage. The wrong options may include extra information not stated or implied in the text. Some options may contain words from the passage but twist their meaning. If you know the rules, you will find it easier to spot these traps. This understanding sets the foundation for the reading and answering steps.

Before you read the passage, look at the question prompt to know what you are searching for. Skimming the question first gives you a mental “search image” for relevant information. For example, if the question asks about the author’s opinion, you will look for evaluative or judgmental language. If it asks about a cause or reason, you will search for cause-effect markers. This technique saves time because you read with a goal in mind. Without a goal, you might waste time on details that are not tested. Even if you do not understand every word of the question, focus on keywords. Keywords can be nouns, names, dates, or unique terms from the question. Mentally underline them so that they guide your scanning process later. This step also activates your background knowledge on the topic, which can help comprehension. Avoid overthinking at this stage — you are only preparing to read actively. Reading the options briefly can also help you spot them when they appear in the text. However, do not get stuck analyzing them yet. This pre-reading step is short but extremely valuable. Many test-takers skip it and lose time during the main reading phase. Always remember that efficient reading starts with knowing your target.

Read the passage with focus on understanding the overall structure and key ideas. Do not try to memorize every word — instead, identify main points and supporting details. Pay attention to topic sentences, as they often contain the main idea of each paragraph. Look for transition words that show relationships, like “however,” “therefore,” or “for example.” Highlight or note any words or ideas that match the keywords from the question. Be aware that the answer might be paraphrased and not use the exact same words. When you encounter complex sentences, slow down and break them into smaller parts. Ignore unfamiliar vocabulary unless it seems essential to the question. If you find yourself stuck, move on and come back after finishing the passage. Avoid re-reading large sections unless necessary — time is limited. Keep the question in mind as you read; it will help you stay on track. This reading should take less than one minute for a short passage. The goal is to gather enough understanding to answer confidently. Reading too slowly will reduce your time for analyzing the options. Strategic reading balances comprehension with time efficiency. Practice will make this step faster and more natural.

Once you have read the passage, go through each answer choice one by one. Compare the statement in the option to the information in the passage. The correct option will be fully supported by the text without contradiction. Incorrect options might include details not mentioned in the text. Some wrong choices will be partially correct but leave out important information. Others may reverse cause and effect or misrepresent relationships. Watch out for extreme words like “always,” “never,” or “all,” which are rarely correct in academic texts. If an option sounds logical but is not supported by the text, it is wrong. Eliminate any option that contradicts the passage. Elimination helps narrow down the choices, making the correct one easier to spot. Keep an open mind; your first impression might change after checking all options. Do not rely on your background knowledge — stick strictly to the text. This careful comparison is what ensures accuracy in this task. Remember that you only get one chance to choose, so be certain before clicking. This is the step where most students either secure the point or lose it. Practice will make you faster and more precise in option analysis.

After selecting the option you believe is correct, quickly review it against the passage. Make sure there is no other option that matches the text more closely. Avoid changing your answer unless you are certain it is wrong. Second-guessing can lead to unnecessary mistakes. Check that you have not been tricked by partially correct information. Confirm that your answer directly addresses the question being asked. Ensure that you have not been influenced by irrelevant parts of the passage. Once confident, submit your answer and move on to the next question. Do not dwell on a single question for too long — time management is key. Leaving extra seconds at the end can help you review later questions if possible. Confidence at this step comes from following the previous four steps carefully. This final check should take only a few seconds. Submitting on time avoids stress and ensures you keep pace with the exam. Remember that accuracy and speed must work together in PTE Academic Reading.