Research has found we pursue more rewards when we become…
Read the text aloud.
Research has found we pursue more rewards when we become 'habituated' to a higher standard of living and compare ourselves to various standards. What it takes to be happy depends on our prior expectations, but these expectations can change over time.
Opens question #010431 in the RealPTE practice screen.
How to read it
Research has found|we pursue more rewards|when we become 'habituated'|to a higher standard of living‖and compare ourselves|to various standards.‖What it takes to be happy|depends on our prior expectations,‖but these expectations|can change over time.
| short pause ‖ breathe
Aim for 16–19 seconds.
Words to stress correctly
| expectations | ex·pec·TA·tions | /ɛkspɛkˈteɪʃənz/ |
| ourselves | ou·r·SELVES | /aʊɚˈsɛlvz/ |
| research | re·SEARCH | /riˈsɝtʃ/ |
| rewards | re·WARDS | /rɪˈwɔrdz/ |
| compare | com·PARE | /kəmˈpɛr/ |
| various | VA·ri·ous | /ˈvɛriəs/ |
41 words in 16–19 seconds. There are no figures to read. Breathe after 'living', after 'standards.' and after 'expectations,'. The quote marks around 'habituated' need no extra pause — just say the word normally.
Where marks are usually lost
Keep re·SEARCH, re·WARDS, com·PARE and ex·pec·TA·tions on the syllables shown, and VA·ri·ous on the first. Sound the endings in rewards, ourselves, standards, expectations. Don't hesitate before habituated.
General tip: expectations comes twice in a row — say it the same way both times instead of slowing down.
What it means: 中文 · हिन्दी · नेपाली · Tiếng Việt
中文: 研究发现，当我们习惯了更高的生活水准并把自己与各种标准作比较时，我们会追求更多的回报。要感到幸福需要什么，取决于我们先前的期望，但这些期望会随时间改变。
हिन्दी: शोध में पाया गया है कि जब हम ऊँचे जीवन-स्तर के 'अभ्यस्त' हो जाते हैं और खुद की तुलना विभिन्न मानकों से करते हैं, तो हम अधिक पुरस्कार चाहते हैं। खुश होने के लिए क्या चाहिए, यह हमारी पहले की अपेक्षाओं पर निर्भर करता है, लेकिन ये अपेक्षाएँ समय के साथ बदल सकती हैं।
नेपाली: अनुसन्धानले पत्ता लगाएको छ कि हामी उच्च जीवनस्तरको 'अभ्यस्त' भइसकेपछि र आफूलाई विभिन्न मापदण्डसँग तुलना गर्दा हामी अझ धेरै प्रतिफल खोज्छौं। खुसी हुन के चाहिन्छ भन्ने कुरा हाम्रो पहिलेको अपेक्षामा निर्भर हुन्छ, तर यी अपेक्षाहरू समयसँगै बदलिन सक्छन्।
Tiếng Việt: Nghiên cứu đã phát hiện rằng chúng ta theo đuổi nhiều phần thưởng hơn khi đã 'quen' với mức sống cao hơn và so sánh mình với nhiều chuẩn mực khác nhau. Điều gì khiến ta hạnh phúc phụ thuộc vào kỳ vọng trước đó, nhưng những kỳ vọng ấy có thể thay đổi theo thời gian.
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.