Tesla's theoretical work formed the basis of modern alternating current…
Read the text aloud.
Tesla's theoretical work formed the basis of modern alternating current electric power systems. Thomas Edison promised him almost one million dollars in today's money to undertake motor and generator improvement. However, when Tesla ethical serbs asked about the money, Edison reportedly reply "Tesla, you don't understand our American humor." The pair becomes arch rivals.
Opens question #010222 in the RealPTE practice screen.
How to read it
Tesla's theoretical work|formed the basis of modern alternating current electric power systems.‖Thomas Edison promised him almost one million dollars in today's money|to undertake motor and generator improvement.‖However, when Tesla,|an ethnic Serb,|asked about the money,‖Edison reportedly replied|"Tesla, you don't understand our American humor."‖The pair became arch rivals.
| short pause ‖ breathe
Aim for 21–25 seconds.
Words to stress correctly
| theoretical | the·o·RET·i·cal | /θiɚˈɛtɪkəl/ |
| reportedly | re·PORT·ed·ly | /rɪˈpɔrtədli/ |
| american | a·MER·i·can | /əˈmɛrəkən/ |
| alternating | AL·ter·nat·ing | /ˈɔltɚneɪtɪŋ/ |
| improvement | im·PROVE·ment | /ɪmˈpruvmənt/ |
| understand | un·der·STAND | /ʌndɚˈstænd/ |
55 words, aim 21–25 seconds. There are no numerals; one million dollars is already written in words, so read it at normal speed. Breathe after systems, improvement, money and humor.
Where marks are usually lost
Stress: the·o·RET·i·cal, re·PORT·ed·ly, AL·ter·nat·ing, un·der·STAND. Keep the -ed on formed, promised, asked, replied and the -s on systems, dollars, rivals. Don't stall before the quotation — go straight into Tesla, you don't understand.
General tip: Read the quoted sentence like real speech with a small lift in pitch, but keep the same speed; say arch rivals as two clear words.
What it means: 中文 · हिन्दी · नेपाली · Tiếng Việt
中文: 特斯拉的理论工作奠定了现代交流电电力系统的基础。托马斯·爱迪生曾许诺给他按今天币值计算近一百万美元，让他改进电动机和发电机。然而，当身为塞尔维亚族的特斯拉问起这笔钱时，据说爱迪生回答：“特斯拉，你不懂我们美国人的幽默。”两人从此成为死对头。
हिन्दी: टेस्ला के सैद्धांतिक कार्य ने आधुनिक प्रत्यावर्ती धारा (AC) विद्युत प्रणालियों की नींव रखी। थॉमस एडिसन ने मोटर और जनरेटर सुधारने के लिए उन्हें आज के पैसे में लगभग दस लाख डॉलर देने का वादा किया। लेकिन जब सर्बियाई मूल के टेस्ला ने पैसे के बारे में पूछा, तो कहा जाता है कि एडिसन ने जवाब दिया, “टेस्ला, तुम हमारा अमेरिकी हास्य नहीं समझते।” दोनों कट्टर प्रतिद्वंद्वी बन गए।
नेपाली: टेस्लाको सैद्धान्तिक कामले आधुनिक प्रत्यावर्ती धारा (AC) विद्युत प्रणालीको आधार बनायो। थोमस एडिसनले मोटर र जेनेरेटर सुधार गर्न उनलाई आजको पैसामा झन्डै दस लाख डलर दिने वाचा गरे। तर सर्बियाली मूलका टेस्लाले पैसाबारे सोध्दा एडिसनले “टेस्ला, तिमी हाम्रो अमेरिकी हास्य बुझ्दैनौ” भनेर जवाफ दिएको बताइन्छ। दुवै कट्टर प्रतिद्वन्द्वी बने।
Tiếng Việt: Công trình lý thuyết của Tesla đã đặt nền móng cho các hệ thống điện xoay chiều hiện đại. Thomas Edison hứa trả ông gần một triệu đô la (theo giá trị ngày nay) để cải tiến động cơ và máy phát điện. Nhưng khi Tesla, một người gốc Serbia, hỏi về số tiền, Edison được cho là đã đáp: “Tesla, anh không hiểu sự hài hước kiểu Mỹ của chúng tôi.” Hai người trở thành đối thủ không đội trời chung.
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.