Charles Darwin published his paper "On the Origin of Species"…
Read the text aloud.
Charles Darwin published his paper "On the Origin of Species" in 1859. It is one of the most well-known pieces of scientific literature in human history. In the paper, Darwin proposes the theory of natural selection. He states that for any generation of any species, there will always be a struggle for survival. Individuals who are better suited to the environment are "fitter", and therefore have a much higher chance of surviving and reproducing. This means that later generations are likely to inherit these stronger genetic traits.
Opens question #010014 in the RealPTE practice screen.
How to read it
Charles Darwin published his paper|"On the Origin of Species"|in 1859.‖It is one of the most well-known pieces|of scientific literature|in human history.‖In the paper,|Darwin proposes the theory of natural selection.‖He states that for any generation of any species,|there will always be a struggle for survival.‖Individuals who are better suited to the environment|are "fitter",‖and therefore have a much higher chance|of surviving and reproducing.‖This means that later generations|are likely to inherit these stronger genetic traits.
| short pause ‖ breathe
Words to stress correctly
| individuals | in·di·VID·u·als | /ɪndəˈvɪdʒəwəlz/ |
| environment | en·VI·ron·ment | /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/ |
| reproducing | re·pro·DUC·ing | /riprəˈdusɪŋ/ |
| generations | gen·er·A·tions | /dʒɛnɚˈeɪʃənz/ |
| scientific | sci·en·TIF·ic | /saɪənˈtɪfɪk/ |
| generation | gen·er·A·tion | /dʒɛnɚˈeɪʃən/ |
87 words, aim for 33–40 seconds. Say 1859 as "eighteen fifty-nine". Breathe after 1859, history, selection, survival, "fitter" and reproducing; read the quoted title as one unit without stopping at the quotation marks.
Where marks are usually lost
Third-syllable stress: in·di·VID·u·als, sci·en·TIF·ic, gen·er·A·tion, gen·er·A·tions, re·pro·DUC·ing; but en·VI·ron·ment on the second. Hesitating before 1859 or the quoted title. Dropped endings: published, suited (-ed); proposes, states, species, traits (-s).
General tip: species is /ˈspiːʃiːz/ and is the same in singular and plural; don't add an extra syllable to it.
What it means: 中文 · हिन्दी · नेपाली · Tiếng Việt
中文: 查尔斯·达尔文于1859年发表了论文《物种起源》。它是人类历史上最著名的科学文献之一。在论文中,达尔文提出了自然选择理论。他指出,任何物种的任何一代都始终存在生存斗争。更适应环境的个体是"更适者",因此存活和繁殖的机会大得多。这意味着后代很可能继承这些更强的遗传特征。
हिन्दी: चार्ल्स डार्विन ने 1859 में अपना शोधपत्र "On the Origin of Species" प्रकाशित किया। यह मानव इतिहास के सबसे प्रसिद्ध वैज्ञानिक लेखों में से एक है। इस पत्र में डार्विन प्राकृतिक चयन का सिद्धांत प्रस्तुत करते हैं। वे कहते हैं कि किसी भी प्रजाति की किसी भी पीढ़ी में जीवित रहने के लिए संघर्ष सदा रहेगा। जो व्यक्ति पर्यावरण के अधिक अनुकूल हैं वे "fitter" हैं, इसलिए उनके जीवित रहने और प्रजनन की संभावना कहीं अधिक है। इसका अर्थ है कि बाद की पीढ़ियाँ ये मज़बूत आनुवंशिक गुण विरासत में पाने की संभावना रखती हैं।
नेपाली: चार्ल्स डार्विनले सन् १८५९ मा आफ्नो लेख "On the Origin of Species" प्रकाशित गरे। यो मानव इतिहासकै सबैभन्दा प्रसिद्ध वैज्ञानिक रचनामध्ये एक हो। लेखमा डार्विनले प्राकृतिक छनोटको सिद्धान्त प्रस्तुत गर्छन्। उनी भन्छन् कि कुनै पनि प्रजातिको कुनै पनि पुस्तामा बाँच्नका लागि सधैँ संघर्ष हुन्छ। वातावरणसँग बढी मिल्ने व्यक्तिहरू "fitter" हुन्छन्, त्यसैले तिनीहरूको बाँच्ने र प्रजनन गर्ने सम्भावना धेरै बढी हुन्छ। यसको अर्थ पछिका पुस्ताहरूले यी बलिया आनुवंशिक गुणहरू पाउने सम्भावना हुन्छ।
Tiếng Việt: Charles Darwin công bố bài báo "Về nguồn gốc các loài" vào năm 1859. Đây là một trong những tác phẩm khoa học nổi tiếng nhất trong lịch sử loài người. Trong bài báo, Darwin đề xuất thuyết chọn lọc tự nhiên. Ông cho rằng ở bất kỳ thế hệ nào của bất kỳ loài nào, luôn có cuộc đấu tranh sinh tồn. Những cá thể thích nghi tốt hơn với môi trường là "khỏe hơn", vì thế có cơ hội sống sót và sinh sản cao hơn nhiều. Điều này có nghĩa là các thế hệ sau có khả năng thừa hưởng những đặc điểm di truyền mạnh hơn này.
More Read Aloud questions
Read Aloud format (Pearson)
| Prompt | Text up to 60 words |
|---|---|
| Preparation | 30–40 seconds |
| Time to answer | Depends on the length of the text |
| Skills assessed | Speaking |
| Scored on | Content; Pronunciation; Oral fluency |
How it is scored
- Content is scored by counting the correct words in your response.
- If you stay silent for more than 3 seconds, the recording stops.
- You can record your response only once.
Source: Pearson, PTE Academic & UKVI test format, Part 1: Speaking & Writing, checked 9 October 2026.