For the purposes of argument, culture is divided into material…
Read the text aloud.
For the purposes of argument, culture is divided into material and non-material, and the speaker's aim is to show how they both affect each other. Material developments in tools and technology can affect non- material culture, our customs and beliefs, and the other way around. Genetics is used as an example as it has changed the way we think about life, but also our beliefs have affected its rate of development.
Opens question #010087 in the RealPTE practice screen.
How to read it
For the purposes of argument,|culture is divided into material and non-material,‖and the speaker's aim is to show|how they both affect each other.‖Material developments in tools and technology|can affect non-material culture,|our customs and beliefs,|and the other way around.‖Genetics is used as an example|as it has changed the way we think about life,‖but also our beliefs have affected its rate of development.
| short pause ‖ breathe
Aim for 27–32 seconds.
Words to stress correctly
| developments | de·VEL·op·ments | /dɪˈvɛləpmənts/ |
| development | de·VEL·op·ment | /dɪˈvɛləpmənt/ |
| technology | tech·NOL·o·gy | /tɛkˈnɑlədʒi/ |
| material | ma·TE·ri·al | /məˈtɪriəl/ |
| genetics | ge·NET·ics | /dʒəˈnɛtɪks/ |
| affected | af·FECT·ed | /əˈfɛktɪd/ |
70 words, aim 27–32 seconds. No numbers. Breathe after non-material, other, around and life; short pauses at each comma.
Where marks are usually lost
All six hard words stress the second syllable: ma·TE·ri·al, tech·NOL·o·gy, ge·NET·ics, de·VEL·op·ments. Keep -s on purposes, tools, customs, beliefs and the -ed in divided, changed, affected. Don't slow down on the three material/non-material words.
General tip: 'our customs and beliefs' is an aside explaining non-material culture; read it with slightly lower pitch, then lift again on 'and the other way around'.
What it means: 中文 · हिन्दी · नेपाली · Tiếng Việt
中文: 为了便于论证，文化被分为物质文化和非物质文化，演讲者的目的是说明两者如何相互影响。工具和技术上的物质发展会影响非物质文化——我们的习俗和信仰——反之亦然。演讲者以遗传学为例：它改变了我们思考生命的方式，而我们的信仰也影响了它的发展速度。
हिन्दी: तर्क की सुविधा के लिए संस्कृति को भौतिक और अभौतिक में बाँटा गया है, और वक्ता का उद्देश्य यह दिखाना है कि दोनों एक-दूसरे को कैसे प्रभावित करते हैं। औज़ारों और तकनीक में भौतिक विकास अभौतिक संस्कृति—हमारे रीति-रिवाज और विश्वास—को प्रभावित कर सकता है, और इसका उल्टा भी। आनुवंशिकी को उदाहरण के रूप में लिया गया है क्योंकि इसने जीवन के बारे में हमारी सोच बदल दी है, पर हमारे विश्वासों ने भी इसके विकास की गति को प्रभावित किया है।
नेपाली: तर्कको सुविधाका लागि संस्कृतिलाई भौतिक र अभौतिक गरी बाँडिएको छ, र वक्ताको उद्देश्य दुवैले एकअर्कालाई कसरी असर गर्छन् भनी देखाउनु हो। औजार र प्रविधिमा भएको भौतिक विकासले अभौतिक संस्कृति—हाम्रा चालचलन र विश्वास—लाई असर गर्न सक्छ, र उल्टो पनि। आनुवंशिकीलाई उदाहरण लिइएको छ किनभने यसले जीवनबारे हाम्रो सोच्ने तरिका बदलेको छ, तर हाम्रा विश्वासले पनि यसको विकासको गतिलाई असर गरेका छन्।
Tiếng Việt: Để tiện lập luận, văn hóa được chia thành vật chất và phi vật chất, và mục đích của diễn giả là cho thấy hai mặt này ảnh hưởng lẫn nhau ra sao. Những phát triển vật chất về công cụ và công nghệ có thể ảnh hưởng đến văn hóa phi vật chất — phong tục và niềm tin của chúng ta — và ngược lại. Di truyền học được lấy làm ví dụ vì nó đã thay đổi cách ta nghĩ về sự sống, nhưng niềm tin của ta cũng đã ảnh hưởng đến tốc độ phát triển của nó.
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.