PTE Academic — Pearson Test of English
Take the PTE Reading — Multiple Choice, Set 2: 20 multiple-choice questions (30 minutes) with instant scoring and a full answer review. Covers 20 PTE…
What this test covers
The first 5 questions of this test, with the correct answer and explanation.
Q1. Read the passage: Screens and sleep Many people use phones or tablets in bed, but researchers warn that this habit can affect sleep. Screens give off blue light, which can suppress the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body clock. Perhaps more importantly, the content itself, whether messages, games or news, keeps the brain alert. Sleep experts often recommend stopping screen use about an hour before bed, keeping devices out of the bedroom, and using night settings that reduce blue light if a device must be used. According to the text, how can blue light from screens affect sleep?
Answer: A. It can suppress melatonin, a hormone that regulates the body clock
Explanation: Blue light can suppress the release of melatonin.
Q2. Read the passage: Screens and sleep Many people use phones or tablets in bed, but researchers warn that this habit can affect sleep. Screens give off blue light, which can suppress the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body clock. Perhaps more importantly, the content itself, whether messages, games or news, keeps the brain alert. Sleep experts often recommend stopping screen use about an hour before bed, keeping devices out of the bedroom, and using night settings that reduce blue light if a device must be used. What does the text suggest may be even more important than blue light?
Answer: C. The content on the screen keeping the brain alert
Explanation: "Perhaps more importantly, the content itself… keeps the brain alert."
Q3. Read the passage: Screens and sleep Many people use phones or tablets in bed, but researchers warn that this habit can affect sleep. Screens give off blue light, which can suppress the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body clock. Perhaps more importantly, the content itself, whether messages, games or news, keeps the brain alert. Sleep experts often recommend stopping screen use about an hour before bed, keeping devices out of the bedroom, and using night settings that reduce blue light if a device must be used. Which recommendation is NOT mentioned in the text?
Answer: C. Reading a printed book instead
Explanation: Reading a printed book is not mentioned.
Q4. Read the passage: Screens and sleep Many people use phones or tablets in bed, but researchers warn that this habit can affect sleep. Screens give off blue light, which can suppress the release of melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate the body clock. Perhaps more importantly, the content itself, whether messages, games or news, keeps the brain alert. Sleep experts often recommend stopping screen use about an hour before bed, keeping devices out of the bedroom, and using night settings that reduce blue light if a device must be used. The word "suppress" in the text means
Answer: A. reduce or stop
Explanation: To suppress is to hold back or reduce.
Q5. Read the passage: Desalination Desalination turns seawater into fresh water by removing salt, usually by forcing water through fine membranes in a process called reverse osmosis. It provides a reliable water supply for dry countries with long coastlines, such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, desalination plants use large amounts of energy, and they produce a concentrated salty waste called brine, which can harm marine life if it is released carelessly. Engineers are working to power plants with renewable energy and to find safer ways of dealing with brine. What is desalination?
Answer: A. Turning seawater into fresh water by removing salt
Explanation: The first sentence defines it.
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Q6. Read the passage: Desalination Desalination turns seawater into fresh water by removing salt, usually by forcing water through fine membranes in a process called reverse osmosis. It provides a reliable water supply for dry countries with long coastlines, such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, desalination plants use large amounts of energy, and they produce a concentrated salty waste called brine, which can harm marine life if it is released carelessly. Engineers are working to power plants with renewable energy and to find safer ways of dealing with brine. Which countries are given as examples of desalination users?
Q7. Read the passage: Desalination Desalination turns seawater into fresh water by removing salt, usually by forcing water through fine membranes in a process called reverse osmosis. It provides a reliable water supply for dry countries with long coastlines, such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, desalination plants use large amounts of energy, and they produce a concentrated salty waste called brine, which can harm marine life if it is released carelessly. Engineers are working to power plants with renewable energy and to find safer ways of dealing with brine. What problem does brine cause?
Q8. Read the passage: Desalination Desalination turns seawater into fresh water by removing salt, usually by forcing water through fine membranes in a process called reverse osmosis. It provides a reliable water supply for dry countries with long coastlines, such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. However, desalination plants use large amounts of energy, and they produce a concentrated salty waste called brine, which can harm marine life if it is released carelessly. Engineers are working to power plants with renewable energy and to find safer ways of dealing with brine. What are engineers trying to do, according to the text?
Q9. Read the passage: The first vaccine In 1796, the English doctor Edward Jenner tested an idea based on a common observation: milkmaids who had caught cowpox, a mild disease, seemed to be protected from smallpox, which was often deadly. Jenner took material from a cowpox sore and introduced it into a young boy, who later did not develop smallpox when exposed to it. The word "vaccine" comes from the Latin word for cow. Vaccination spread around the world, and after a global campaign, smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, the only human disease to have been completely eliminated. What observation led to Jenner's experiment?
Q10. Read the passage: The first vaccine In 1796, the English doctor Edward Jenner tested an idea based on a common observation: milkmaids who had caught cowpox, a mild disease, seemed to be protected from smallpox, which was often deadly. Jenner took material from a cowpox sore and introduced it into a young boy, who later did not develop smallpox when exposed to it. The word "vaccine" comes from the Latin word for cow. Vaccination spread around the world, and after a global campaign, smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, the only human disease to have been completely eliminated. Where does the word "vaccine" come from?
Q11. Read the passage: The first vaccine In 1796, the English doctor Edward Jenner tested an idea based on a common observation: milkmaids who had caught cowpox, a mild disease, seemed to be protected from smallpox, which was often deadly. Jenner took material from a cowpox sore and introduced it into a young boy, who later did not develop smallpox when exposed to it. The word "vaccine" comes from the Latin word for cow. Vaccination spread around the world, and after a global campaign, smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, the only human disease to have been completely eliminated. What happened in 1980?
Q12. Read the passage: The first vaccine In 1796, the English doctor Edward Jenner tested an idea based on a common observation: milkmaids who had caught cowpox, a mild disease, seemed to be protected from smallpox, which was often deadly. Jenner took material from a cowpox sore and introduced it into a young boy, who later did not develop smallpox when exposed to it. The word "vaccine" comes from the Latin word for cow. Vaccination spread around the world, and after a global campaign, smallpox was declared eradicated in 1980, the only human disease to have been completely eliminated. What does the text say is unique about smallpox?
Q13. Read the passage: Green spaces in cities A growing number of studies link access to parks and other green spaces with better mental health. City residents who live close to green areas report lower levels of stress, and spending even short periods in parks has been associated with improved mood. Researchers caution that some of this link may be explained by other factors: for instance, wealthier neighbourhoods often have more parks. Nevertheless, many city planners now see green spaces not as a luxury but as an important part of public health. What do studies link with better mental health?
Q14. Read the passage: Green spaces in cities A growing number of studies link access to parks and other green spaces with better mental health. City residents who live close to green areas report lower levels of stress, and spending even short periods in parks has been associated with improved mood. Researchers caution that some of this link may be explained by other factors: for instance, wealthier neighbourhoods often have more parks. Nevertheless, many city planners now see green spaces not as a luxury but as an important part of public health. Why do researchers urge caution about the link?
Q15. Read the passage: Green spaces in cities A growing number of studies link access to parks and other green spaces with better mental health. City residents who live close to green areas report lower levels of stress, and spending even short periods in parks has been associated with improved mood. Researchers caution that some of this link may be explained by other factors: for instance, wealthier neighbourhoods often have more parks. Nevertheless, many city planners now see green spaces not as a luxury but as an important part of public health. How do many city planners now view green spaces?
Q16. Read the passage: Green spaces in cities A growing number of studies link access to parks and other green spaces with better mental health. City residents who live close to green areas report lower levels of stress, and spending even short periods in parks has been associated with improved mood. Researchers caution that some of this link may be explained by other factors: for instance, wealthier neighbourhoods often have more parks. Nevertheless, many city planners now see green spaces not as a luxury but as an important part of public health. The word "caution" in the text means
Q17. Read the passage: Fast fashion Fast fashion refers to clothing that is produced quickly and cheaply to follow the latest trends. While it makes fashion affordable, it has a significant environmental cost. Producing textiles uses large amounts of water and energy, and many cheap garments are worn only a few times before being thrown away. Much of this clothing ends up in landfill, and synthetic fabrics such as polyester can take decades to break down. Some brands now offer repair services and recycling schemes, and consumers are encouraged to buy fewer, longer-lasting items. What is fast fashion?
Q18. Read the passage: Fast fashion Fast fashion refers to clothing that is produced quickly and cheaply to follow the latest trends. While it makes fashion affordable, it has a significant environmental cost. Producing textiles uses large amounts of water and energy, and many cheap garments are worn only a few times before being thrown away. Much of this clothing ends up in landfill, and synthetic fabrics such as polyester can take decades to break down. Some brands now offer repair services and recycling schemes, and consumers are encouraged to buy fewer, longer-lasting items. Which environmental cost is mentioned?
Q19. Read the passage: Fast fashion Fast fashion refers to clothing that is produced quickly and cheaply to follow the latest trends. While it makes fashion affordable, it has a significant environmental cost. Producing textiles uses large amounts of water and energy, and many cheap garments are worn only a few times before being thrown away. Much of this clothing ends up in landfill, and synthetic fabrics such as polyester can take decades to break down. Some brands now offer repair services and recycling schemes, and consumers are encouraged to buy fewer, longer-lasting items. According to the text, why is polyester a problem in landfill?
Q20. Read the passage: Fast fashion Fast fashion refers to clothing that is produced quickly and cheaply to follow the latest trends. While it makes fashion affordable, it has a significant environmental cost. Producing textiles uses large amounts of water and energy, and many cheap garments are worn only a few times before being thrown away. Much of this clothing ends up in landfill, and synthetic fabrics such as polyester can take decades to break down. Some brands now offer repair services and recycling schemes, and consumers are encouraged to buy fewer, longer-lasting items. What are consumers encouraged to do?