Here’s an example of PTE Part 1 Item type 5 – Retell a lecture. Use the image shown to help you get an idea of what the audio recording is about, then listen to the recording.
A model answer has also been provided (note that this is not the only way this could have answered).
In the official test, you would make notes on your notepad, but for this practice exercises you can use the text area below to type notes.
Read the transcript (this option is NOT available in the official test)
In today’s health science lecture we will look at aloe (often called aloe vera), some of its possible benefits for physical well-being and some of the concerns. The aloe plant is a robust succulent that can grow in a wide range of climates. It can endure temperatures from freezing to 120°F and survives well in both drought and in a rain-forest environment, provided its roots do not drown or get damaged.
Two main substances are derived from aloe; these are gel and latex, both of which are used for medicines. Aloe gel is a clear, jelly-like substance which is taken from in the inner part of the aloe plant leaf. Aloe latex on the other hand comes from just under the plant’s skin and is a yellow colour. Some commercial aloe products contain both gel and latex as they are made from the entire crushed leaf.
There is some scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of aloe in wound healing. Some studies have identified chemicals in aloe gel that appear to increase circulation in the tiny blood vessels in the skin, as well as kill bacteria. Together, these effects suggest that aloe gel might be effective in speeding wound healing. However, other evidence is contradictory and one study has even suggested that aloe gel may actually delay wound healing.
Model answer
The lecturer is talking about the aloe vera plant, referring to how and where it grows, but focusing mostly on the medicinal applications of the 2 main materials that are extracted from it – a gel and a latex. The harvested materials come from different parts of the the leaf, but some products are created by using the crushed leaves of the plant and include both of these materials. Apparently, there are contrasting opinions about the value of aloe in medicine, and that although it may help with circulation and destroy bacteria, it may also slow down healing speed.