In attempts to understand the very nature of our reality…
Read the text aloud.
In attempts to understand the very nature of our reality, physicists sure have some mind-bending theories. Like what if information is a tangible and fundamental aspect of physical reality itself – alongside matter and energy? Or, alternatively, what if information is the fifth state of matter?
Opens question #010373 in the RealPTE practice screen.
How to read it
In attempts to understand the very nature of our reality,|physicists sure have some mind-bending theories.‖Like what if information is a tangible and fundamental aspect|of physical reality itself|– alongside matter and energy?‖Or, alternatively,|what if information is the fifth state of matter?
| short pause ‖ breathe
Aim for 18–21 seconds.
Words to stress correctly
| alternatively | al·TER·na·tive·ly | /ɔlˈtɝnətɪvli/ |
| information | in·for·MA·tion | /ɪnfɚˈmeɪʃən/ |
| fundamental | fun·da·MEN·tal | /fʌndəˈmɛntəl/ |
| reality | re·AL·i·ty | /riˈæləti/ |
| understand | un·der·STAND | /ʌndɚˈstænd/ |
46 words, aim 18–21 seconds, no numbers. Breathe after theories and energy; short pauses after reality (first sentence), itself and alternatively. Let both questions rise at the end.
Where marks are usually lost
Stress in·for·MA·tion, fun·da·MEN·tal, un·der·STAND on the third syllable, but re·AL·i·ty and al·TER·na·tive·ly on the second. Don't hesitate before physicists or mind-bending. Keep -s in attempts, physicists, theories.
General tip: physicists ends in /sɪsts/ – practise it slowly so it doesn't collapse into 'physics'.
What it means: 中文 · हिन्दी · नेपाली · Tiếng Việt
中文: 为了理解我们现实的本质,物理学家确实提出了一些令人费解的理论。比如,如果信息是物理现实本身一个有形且基本的方面——与物质和能量并列,会怎样?或者,换一种说法,如果信息是物质的第五种状态呢?
हिन्दी: हमारी वास्तविकता के मूल स्वरूप को समझने के प्रयासों में, भौतिकविदों के पास वाकई कुछ दिमाग घुमा देने वाले सिद्धांत हैं। जैसे, क्या हो अगर सूचना भौतिक वास्तविकता का ही एक ठोस और मौलिक पहलू हो – पदार्थ और ऊर्जा के साथ-साथ? या, वैकल्पिक रूप से, क्या हो अगर सूचना पदार्थ की पाँचवीं अवस्था हो?
नेपाली: हाम्रो वास्तविकताको मूल स्वरूप बुझ्ने प्रयासमा, भौतिकशास्त्रीहरूसँग साँच्चै केही दिमाग घुमाउने सिद्धान्तहरू छन्। जस्तै, सूचना भौतिक वास्तविकताकै एक ठोस र आधारभूत पक्ष हो भने – पदार्थ र ऊर्जासँगै? वा, अर्को विकल्पमा, सूचना पदार्थको पाँचौं अवस्था हो भने के हुन्छ?
Tiếng Việt: Trong những nỗ lực tìm hiểu bản chất sâu xa của thực tại, các nhà vật lý quả thực có một số lý thuyết làm xoắn não. Chẳng hạn, điều gì xảy ra nếu thông tin là một khía cạnh hữu hình và căn bản của chính thực tại vật chất – bên cạnh vật chất và năng lượng? Hoặc, cách khác, điều gì xảy ra nếu thông tin là trạng thái thứ năm của vật chất?
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.