The term supernova was coined in the 1930s by a…
Read the text aloud.
The term supernova was coined in the 1930s by a memorably odd astrophysicist named Fritz Zwicky. Born in Bulgaria and raised in Switzerland, Zwicky came to the California Institute of Technology in the 1920s and there as once distinguished himself by his abrasive personality and erratic talents. He didn't seem to be outstandingly bright, and many of his colleagues considered him little more than “an irritating buffoon”.
Opens question #010024 in the RealPTE practice screen.
How to read it
The term supernova was coined in the 1930s|by a memorably odd astrophysicist|named Fritz Zwicky.‖Born in Bulgaria and raised in Switzerland,|Zwicky came to the California Institute of Technology|in the 1920s‖and there at once distinguished himself|by his abrasive personality and erratic talents.‖He didn't seem to be outstandingly bright,|and many of his colleagues considered him|little more than “an irritating buffoon”.
| short pause ‖ breathe
Words to stress correctly
| astrophysicist | as·tro·PHYS·i·cist | /æstroʊˈfɪsɪsɪst/ |
| personality | per·son·AL·i·ty | /pɝsəˈnælɪti/ |
| outstandingly | out·STAND·ing·ly | /aʊtˈstændɪŋli/ |
| california | cal·i·FOR·nia | /kæləˈfɔrnjə/ |
| technology | tech·NOL·o·gy | /tɛkˈnɑlədʒi/ |
| supernova | su·per·NO·va | /supɚˈnoʊvə/ |
67 words, aim for 26–30 seconds. 1930s = "the nineteen thirties", 1920s = "the nineteen twenties" — say the -s. Breathe after Zwicky (first time), after 1920s and after talents.
Where marks are usually lost
Stress: su·per·NO·va, as·tro·PHYS·i·cist, cal·i·FOR·nia, tech·NOL·o·gy, per·son·AL·i·ty, out·STAND·ing·ly. Don't hesitate before Zwicky or astrophysicist. Keep -ed on coined, named, raised, distinguished, considered; -s on talents, colleagues.
General tip: decide now how you'll say Zwicky and buffoon — a confident attempt costs far less than a pause.
What it means: 中文 · हिन्दी · नेपाली · Tiếng Việt
中文: "超新星"（supernova）一词是20世纪30年代由一位古怪得令人难忘的天体物理学家弗里茨·兹威基创造的。兹威基生于保加利亚，在瑞士长大，20世纪20年代来到加州理工学院，并很快因其粗暴的个性和反复无常的才能而出名。他看起来并不特别聪明，许多同事认为他不过是"一个令人讨厌的小丑"。
हिन्दी: "सुपरनोवा" शब्द 1930 के दशक में फ़्रिट्ज़ ज़्विकी नामक एक यादगार रूप से विचित्र खगोल-भौतिकविद् ने गढ़ा था। बुल्गारिया में जन्मे और स्विट्ज़रलैंड में पले-बढ़े ज़्विकी 1920 के दशक में कैलिफ़ोर्निया इंस्टीट्यूट ऑफ़ टेक्नोलॉजी आए और वहाँ तुरंत अपने कर्कश व्यक्तित्व और अनियमित प्रतिभा के कारण अलग दिखे। वे असाधारण रूप से प्रतिभाशाली नहीं लगते थे, और उनके कई सहयोगी उन्हें "एक चिड़चिड़ा मसखरा" से ज़्यादा कुछ नहीं मानते थे।
नेपाली: "सुपरनोभा" शब्द सन् १९३० को दशकमा फ्रिट्ज ज्विकी नामक एक अविस्मरणीय रूपमा अनौठो खगोल-भौतिकशास्त्रीले बनाएका थिए। बुल्गेरियामा जन्मिएका र स्विट्जरल्यान्डमा हुर्केका ज्विकी सन् १९२० को दशकमा क्यालिफोर्निया इन्स्टिच्युट अफ टेक्नोलोजी आए र त्यहाँ तुरुन्तै आफ्नो रुखो व्यक्तित्व र अस्थिर प्रतिभाका कारण छुट्टै चिनिए। उनी असाधारण रूपमा बुद्धिमान् देखिँदैनथे, र उनका धेरै सहकर्मीले उनलाई "एक झर्कलाग्दो जोकर" भन्दा बढी केही ठान्दैनथे।
Tiếng Việt: Thuật ngữ "siêu tân tinh" (supernova) được đặt ra vào thập niên 1930 bởi một nhà vật lý thiên văn kỳ quặc đến khó quên tên là Fritz Zwicky. Sinh ở Bulgaria và lớn lên ở Thụy Sĩ, Zwicky đến Viện Công nghệ California vào thập niên 1920 và ngay lập tức nổi bật ở đó nhờ tính cách gay gắt và tài năng thất thường. Ông có vẻ không xuất sắc nổi bật, và nhiều đồng nghiệp coi ông chẳng hơn gì "một gã hề đáng ghét".
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.