Prolonged exposure to loud noise alters how the brain processes…
Read the text aloud.
Prolonged exposure to loud noise alters how the brain processes speech, potentially increasing the difficulty in distinguishing speech sounds, according to neuroscientists. Exposure to intensely loud sounds leads to permanent damage of the hair cells, which act as sound receivers in the ear. Once damaged, the hair cells do not grow back, leading to noise-induced hearing loss.
Opens question #010319 in the RealPTE practice screen.
How to read it
Prolonged exposure to loud noise|alters how the brain processes speech,‖potentially increasing the difficulty in distinguishing speech sounds,|according to neuroscientists.‖Exposure to intensely loud sounds|leads to permanent damage of the hair cells,‖which act as sound receivers in the ear.|Once damaged, the hair cells do not grow back,‖leading to noise-induced hearing loss.
| short pause ‖ breathe
Aim for 22–26 seconds.
Words to stress correctly
| distinguishing | di·STIN·guish·ing | /dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃɪŋ/ |
| potentially | po·TEN·tial·ly | /pəˈtɛnʃəli/ |
| increasing | in·CREA·sing | /ɪnˈkrisɪŋ/ |
| difficulty | DIF·fi·cul·ty | /ˈdɪfəkəlti/ |
| according | ac·COR·ding | /əˈkɔrdɪŋ/ |
| intensely | in·TENSE·ly | /ɪnˈtɛnsli/ |
57 words in 22–26 seconds, no numbers. Breathe after speech, neuroscientists, cells and back. The first sentence is long: a short pause after sounds keeps it clear.
Where marks are usually lost
Stress the second syllable in di·STIN·guish·ing, po·TEN·tial·ly, in·CREA·sing, ac·COR·ding, in·TENSE·ly, but the first in DIF·fi·cul·ty. Don't slow down before neuroscientists. Keep -ed in Prolonged, damaged, noise-induced and -s in processes, cells, receivers.
General tip: Three -ing words close together (increasing … distinguishing … leading) tempt you to chant; vary the pitch so each carries its own stress.
What it means: 中文 · हिन्दी · नेपाली · Tiếng Việt
中文: 神经科学家称，长期暴露于强噪音会改变大脑处理语音的方式，可能增加分辨语音的难度。暴露于极强的声音会导致耳内毛细胞的永久性损伤，这些毛细胞在耳中充当声音接收器。毛细胞一旦受损就不会再生，从而导致噪声性听力损失。
हिन्दी: तंत्रिका वैज्ञानिकों के अनुसार, तेज़ शोर के लंबे समय तक संपर्क से मस्तिष्क के वाणी को संसाधित करने का तरीका बदल जाता है, जिससे वाणी की ध्वनियों में अंतर करना संभवतः कठिन हो जाता है। अत्यधिक तेज़ ध्वनियों के संपर्क से बाल कोशिकाओं को स्थायी क्षति होती है, जो कान में ध्वनि ग्राहक का काम करती हैं। एक बार क्षतिग्रस्त होने पर बाल कोशिकाएँ फिर नहीं उगतीं, जिससे शोर-जनित श्रवण हानि होती है।
नेपाली: न्युरोवैज्ञानिकहरूका अनुसार, चर्को आवाजमा लामो समय रहँदा मस्तिष्कले बोली प्रशोधन गर्ने तरिका बदलिन्छ, जसले बोलीका ध्वनिहरू छुट्याउन सम्भवतः झन् गाह्रो बनाउँछ। अत्यन्त चर्को आवाजको सम्पर्कले कानमा ध्वनि ग्रहण गर्ने हेयर सेलहरूलाई स्थायी क्षति पुर्याउँछ। एकपटक क्षति भएपछि हेयर सेलहरू फेरि उम्रँदैनन्, जसले गर्दा आवाजजन्य श्रवण-क्षति हुन्छ।
Tiếng Việt: Theo các nhà thần kinh học, tiếp xúc lâu dài với tiếng ồn lớn làm thay đổi cách não xử lý lời nói, có thể làm tăng khó khăn trong việc phân biệt các âm lời nói. Tiếp xúc với âm thanh cực lớn gây tổn thương vĩnh viễn cho các tế bào lông, vốn đóng vai trò là bộ thu âm thanh trong tai. Một khi bị tổn thương, các tế bào lông không mọc lại, dẫn đến mất thính lực do tiếng ồn.
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.