📝 PTE · Reading

PTE Reading: Multiple Choice, Multiple Answers (Practice with Answers)

Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers) asks you to select every correct option from up to seven choices. It is the Reading task most candidates mis-score, because of the marking rule: a correct selection earns a point, but every wrong selection costs one. Guessing two extra options can turn a 2/2 into a 0/2.

⏱ Timed as part of the reading section 🎯 Reading Comprehension 📊 101 questions in bank
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A worked example · an answer · a teacher's reasoning

The worked examples below show full passages, all options, the complete correct set, and explanations for why each distractor fails. So you can calibrate how certain you need to be before you click.

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Worked examples with answers

Example 01 PTE Multiple Choice (Multiple)

Read the text and answer the question by selecting all the correct responses. You will need to select more than one response.

Passage · Stimulus

An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things that interact with each other in a specific environment. In an ecosystem, plants and animals are connected through food chains, which show how energy and nutrients are passed from one organism to another. Producers, such as plants and algae, make their own food through photosynthesis. Consumers, such as animals, get their energy by eating other organisms. Decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, break down dead organisms into nutrients that can be reused by producers. Food chains can be simple, with only a few organisms, or complex, with many organisms and multiple levels.

Question:

What are the main components of an ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a community of living and non-living things that interact with each other in a specific environment. In an ecosystem, plants and animals are connected through food chains, which show how energy and nutrients are passed from one organism to another. Producers, such as plants and algae, make their own food through photosynthesis. Consumers, such as animals, get their energy by eating other organisms. Decomposers, like bacteria and fungi, break down dead organisms into nutrients that can be reused by producers. Food chains can be simple, with only a few organisms, or complex, with many organisms and multiple levels. Question: What are the main components of an ecosystem?
  • A Producers, consumers, and decomposers Correct answer
  • B Plants, animals, and microorganisms Correct answer
  • C All of the above Correct answer
  • D None of the above
Example 02 PTE Multiple Choice (Multiple)

Read the text and answer the question by selecting all the correct responses. You will need to select more than one response.

Passage · Stimulus

Passage:

Deserts are unique ecosystems that cover about one-third of the Earth's land surface. They are characterized by low rainfall, limited vegetation, and extreme temperatures. Deserts can be hot or cold, and they can be found on every continent. The Sahara Desert in Africa is the largest hot desert, while the Gobi Desert in Asia is a cold desert. Deserts are also home to a variety of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions. Despite the challenges, deserts are also important sources of natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals.

Question: What are some characteristics of deserts?

Passage: Deserts are unique ecosystems that cover about one-third of the Earth's land surface. They are characterized by low rainfall, limited vegetation, and extreme temperatures. Deserts can be hot or cold, and they can be found on every continent. The Sahara Desert in Africa is the largest hot desert, while the Gobi Desert in Asia is a cold desert. Deserts are also home to a variety of plants and animals that have adapted to the harsh conditions. Despite the challenges, deserts are also important sources of natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals. Question: What are some characteristics of deserts?
  • A High rainfall and dense vegetation.
  • B Limited vegetation and extreme temperatures. Correct answer
  • C Found only on the continent of Africa.
  • D Home to a limited variety of plants and animals.
  • E Not a source of natural resources.
  • F Can be hot or cold. Correct answer
Example 03 PTE Multiple Choice (Multiple)

Read the text and answer the question by selecting all the correct responses. You will need to select more than one response.

Passage · Stimulus

Forests are a vital component of our ecosystem, providing numerous benefits to the environment and human society. They absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and support a vast array of plant and animal species. Forests also play a crucial role in regulating the climate, preventing soil erosion, and maintaining water cycles. Furthermore, forests provide timber, fuelwood, and other forest products, which are essential for human livelihoods. In addition, forests offer recreational opportunities, such as hiking and camping, and have spiritual and cultural significance for many communities.

Question:

What are the benefits of forests?

Forests are a vital component of our ecosystem, providing numerous benefits to the environment and human society. They absorb carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and support a vast array of plant and animal species. Forests also play a crucial role in regulating the climate, preventing soil erosion, and maintaining water cycles. Furthermore, forests provide timber, fuelwood, and other forest products, which are essential for human livelihoods. In addition, forests offer recreational opportunities, such as hiking and camping, and have spiritual and cultural significance for many communities. Question: What are the benefits of forests?
  • A They produce carbon dioxide and reduce oxygen levels
  • B They support a vast array of plant and animal species Correct answer
  • C They have no impact on the climate
  • D They provide timber, fuelwood, and other forest products, which are essential for human livelihoods Correct answer

Strategy · how to approach PTE Multiple Choice (Multiple)

  1. Treat each option as its own true/false question instead of picking 'the best ones'.
  2. Remember the penalty: an uncertain extra pick can cancel a certain correct one.
  3. Two correct answers is the norm; only add a third when you can point at the exact line that proves it.
  4. Skim for structure first (topic sentence, contrast markers). Correct options usually paraphrase the passage, distractors quote it and twist it.

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About this task type

Is there negative marking in PTE Multiple Choice (Multiple Answers)?

Yes. Each wrong option you select deducts one point, down to zero for the item. Minimum score per item is 0, never negative.

How do I know how many options to pick?

The interface does not tell you. Most items have two correct options; select a third only when you can cite the supporting line.

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