PTE Read Aloud practice text 8

One real-format Read Aloud prompt with a model spoken answer and notes on why it scores. You get about 35 seconds to look at the text, then read it aloud once, clearly and at a steady pace. Every word counts towards your content score.

The text to read aloud

Bilingual children often reach vocabulary milestones slightly later than their peers in either language alone. Longitudinal studies find that this early gap closes entirely, and that the flexibility gained persists long after the initial delay is forgotten.

35 seconds to prepare, up to 45 seconds to speak.

Hear it read aloud

This is the same text, read at the pace the task expects. Listen once, then read it aloud yourself and compare where the pauses fall.

Why this earns score 90

'Bilingual' is bye-ling-gwal. Getting the first word wrong colours the whole reading.
Pause after 'milestones slightly later' rather than after 'peers', or the comparison breaks in half.
'Longitudinal' is five syllables. Take it deliberately; accuracy beats speed on every word of this task.

Questions about this answer

What score is this model answer?

It is written to earn the top of the PTE Academic scale, score 90, and the notes under it say why.

How long do I get for this prompt?

35 seconds to prepare and up to 45 seconds to speak.

What should I watch for in my own answer?

'Bilingual' is bye-ling-gwal. Getting the first word wrong colours the whole reading.