Not a lot is known about how the transportation of…
Read the text aloud.
Not a lot is known about how the transportation of goods by water first began. Large cargo boats were being used in some parts of the world up to five thousand years ago. However, sea trade became more widespread when large sailing boats travelled between ports, carrying spices, perfumes and objects made by hand.
Opens question #010079 in the RealPTE practice screen.
How to read it
Not a lot is known about how the transportation of goods by water first began.‖Large cargo boats were being used in some parts of the world|up to five thousand years ago.‖However, sea trade became more widespread|when large sailing boats travelled between ports,‖carrying spices, perfumes and objects made by hand.
| short pause ‖ breathe
Aim for 21–25 seconds.
Words to stress correctly
| transportation | trans·por·TA·tion | /trænspɚˈteɪʃən/ |
| however | how·EV·er | /haʊˈɛvɚ/ |
| carrying | CAR·ry·ing | /ˈkæriɪŋ/ |
| between | be·TWEEN | /bɪˈtwin/ |
| became | be·CAME | /bɪˈkeɪm/ |
54 words, aim 21–25 seconds. The only number is written out: five thousand — read it as two clear words. Breathe after began. after ago. and after ports,. Pause briefly after However, before continuing.
Where marks are usually lost
Stress trans·por·TA·tion on the third syllable, how·EV·er, be·TWEEN and be·CAME on the second, CAR·ry·ing on the first. Sound the -ed in used and travelled and the -s in goods, boats, parts, years, ports, spices, objects. Don't slow down before transportation.
General tip: were being used is a three-word verb; say it as one smooth unit — "were-being-used" — not three separate words with gaps.
What it means: 中文 · हिन्दी · नेपाली · Tiếng Việt
中文: 关于水上货物运输最初是如何开始的，人们所知不多。早在五千年前，世界上一些地区就已在使用大型货船。然而，当大型帆船往返于各港口之间、运载香料、香水和手工制品时，海上贸易才变得更加普遍。
हिन्दी: पानी के रास्ते माल की ढुलाई पहली बार कैसे शुरू हुई, इसके बारे में ज़्यादा नहीं पता है। दुनिया के कुछ हिस्सों में पाँच हज़ार साल पहले तक बड़ी मालवाहक नावें इस्तेमाल हो रही थीं। हालाँकि, समुद्री व्यापार तब ज़्यादा फैला जब बड़ी पालदार नावें बंदरगाहों के बीच चलने लगीं, जो मसाले, इत्र और हाथ से बनी चीज़ें ले जाती थीं।
नेपाली: पानीबाट सामान ढुवानी पहिलो पटक कसरी सुरु भयो भन्ने बारे धेरै थाहा छैन। पाँच हजार वर्ष अघिसम्म संसारका केही भागहरूमा ठूला मालवाहक डुङ्गाहरू प्रयोग भइरहेका थिए। तर, समुद्री व्यापार तब बढी फैलियो जब ठूला पालयुक्त डुङ्गाहरू बन्दरगाहहरूबीच मसला, अत्तर र हातले बनेका वस्तुहरू बोकेर यात्रा गर्न थाले।
Tiếng Việt: Người ta biết không nhiều về việc vận chuyển hàng hóa bằng đường thủy bắt đầu như thế nào. Những chiếc thuyền chở hàng lớn đã được dùng ở một số nơi trên thế giới từ năm nghìn năm trước. Tuy nhiên, thương mại đường biển trở nên phổ biến hơn khi những thuyền buồm lớn đi lại giữa các cảng, chở gia vị, nước hoa và đồ thủ công.
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.