In multi-lingual countries, code-mixing, the use of more than one…
Read the text aloud.
In multi-lingual countries, code-mixing, the use of more than one variety in the same utterance or sentence, and code-switching, the use of different languages or varieties between sentences is common and natural. Despite its frequency, or perhaps because of it, some scholars and self-appointed guardians of linguistic morality, view both code-mixing and code-switching as a sign of linguistic deficiency.
Opens question #010215 in the RealPTE practice screen.
How to read it
In multi-lingual countries,|code-mixing,|the use of more than one variety in the same utterance or sentence,‖and code-switching,|the use of different languages or varieties between sentences|is common and natural.‖Despite its frequency,|or perhaps because of it,|some scholars and self-appointed guardians of linguistic morality,‖view both code-mixing and code-switching|as a sign of linguistic deficiency.
| short pause ‖ breathe
Aim for 23–27 seconds.
Words to stress correctly
| deficiency | de·FI·cien·cy | /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/ |
| varieties | va·RI·e·ties | /vɚˈaɪətiz/ |
| morality | mo·RAL·i·ty | /mɚˈæləti/ |
| variety | va·RI·e·ty | /vɚˈaɪəti/ |
| linguistic | lin·GUIS·tic | /lɪŋˈɡwɪstɪk/ |
| utterance | UT·ter·ance | /ˈʌtɚəns/ |
59 words, aim 23–27 seconds, no numbers. Breathe after sentence,, natural. and morality,; short pauses at the other commas. Keep the two definitions between commas slightly lower in pitch.
Where marks are usually lost
Second-syllable stress on va·RI·e·ty, va·RI·e·ties, mo·RAL·i·ty, de·FI·cien·cy, lin·GUIS·tic; first syllable in UT·ter·ance. Don't hesitate before self-appointed guardians. Keep the -s on countries, varieties, sentences, scholars, guardians.
General tip: code-mixing and code-switching repeat; say them identically each time with stress on code, so the contrast is clear.
What it means: 中文 · हिन्दी · नेपाली · Tiếng Việt
中文: 在多语言国家，语码混用（在同一话语或句子中使用多于一种语言变体）和语码转换（在句子之间使用不同语言或变体）是常见而自然的。尽管它很常见，或许正因为如此，一些学者和自封的语言道德守护者把语码混用和语码转换都视为语言能力欠缺的标志。
हिन्दी: बहुभाषी देशों में, कोड-मिक्सिंग—एक ही उक्ति या वाक्य में एक से अधिक भाषा-रूपों का प्रयोग—और कोड-स्विचिंग—वाक्यों के बीच भिन्न भाषाओं या रूपों का प्रयोग—सामान्य और स्वाभाविक है। इसकी बारंबारता के बावजूद, या शायद इसी कारण, कुछ विद्वान और भाषाई नैतिकता के स्वयंभू रक्षक दोनों को भाषाई कमी का संकेत मानते हैं।
नेपाली: बहुभाषी देशहरूमा कोड-मिक्सिङ—एउटै कथन वा वाक्यमा एकभन्दा बढी भाषिक रूपको प्रयोग—र कोड-स्विचिङ—वाक्यहरूबीच फरक भाषा वा रूपको प्रयोग—सामान्य र स्वाभाविक हुन्छ। यो धेरै हुने भए पनि, वा सायद त्यसैले, केही विद्वान र भाषिक नैतिकताका स्वघोषित रक्षकहरूले दुवैलाई भाषिक कमीको संकेत ठान्छन्।
Tiếng Việt: Ở các nước đa ngữ, trộn mã—dùng hơn một biến thể trong cùng một phát ngôn hay câu—và chuyển mã—dùng các ngôn ngữ hay biến thể khác nhau giữa các câu—là phổ biến và tự nhiên. Dù xuất hiện thường xuyên, hay có lẽ chính vì thế, một số học giả và những người tự phong là người bảo vệ đạo đức ngôn ngữ coi cả trộn mã lẫn chuyển mã là dấu hiệu của sự thiếu hụt ngôn ngữ.
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.