PTE Academic · listening · 12 real bank items

PTE Highlight Incorrect Words practice: 12 transcripts with answers

Twelve real Highlight Incorrect Words items from the EdKnot bank: the transcript as it appears on screen, with the words that differ from the audio marked and the word the speaker actually says. The audio plays once in the player. One point per word found, one deducted per wrong click.

12 Highlight Incorrect Words practice transcripts with answers

Real items from the EdKnot bank, in random order. Each one opens in the practice player with the timer, the recording and AI scoring. Format, scoring and technique are on the Highlight Incorrect Words task page.

  1. 294 words

    The university library has recently extendedadjusted its hours during the examination period. Previously, it closed at ten in the evening, but now it stays open until midnight. This change was implemented after a survey revealed that many students preferredrequested later study times. The library director noted that the extended hours have been well received, with a noticeable increase in evening attendance. Additionally, the library has introduced a new online booking system for study rooms. Students can now reserve a room for up to three hours per day. The system has reduced waiting times and improvedenhanced access to quiet study spaces. Furthermore, the library cafe now offers a selection of healthynutritious snacks and beverages. The cafe manager reported that sales of coffee have increasedrisen by twenty percent since the hours were extended. Overall, the changes have contributed to a more productive study environment for students. The library also plans to host a series of workshops on effectiveefficient research methods during the upcoming semester. These workshops will cover topics such as database searching, citation management, and academic writing. Students who attend will receive a certificate of participation. The library staff have been trained to assist with these new services. Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with many commenting on the improvedenhanced atmosphere and resources. The library hopes to continue these improvements in the future. The extended hours have also allowed for more group study sessions. Many students have formed study groups that meet in the evenings. This has fostered a sense of community among learners. The library has also added more computers and printing stations to meet demand. The new booking system has streamlinedsimplified the process for reserving equipment. Overall, these changes have made the library a more welcoming and efficient place for academic work.

    Answers · 8 words differ
    • extended → adjusted
    • preferred → requested
    • improved → enhanced
    • healthy → nutritious
    • increased → risen
    • effective → efficient
    • improved → enhanced
    • streamlined → simplified
  2. Article Grammar Explanation

    203 words

    What's an article? I was asking myself this very question in the post office yesterday, standing in line waiting to sign for, as it so happens, an article. A postal article. Not the postal article. Now before we get ahead of ourselves, an article in English is a verbword that precedes a noun, and simply indicates specificity. This sounds quite complicated, and to be honest, it's quite complicated to say without spraying everyone within 15 feet, but the concept's quite simple. The definite article in English is the word "the", and indicates a specific thing or type; for example, the train is an hour late. By comparisoncontrast , the indefinite article in English is any of the words "a", "an" or "some", and the indefinite article indicates a non-specific thing; for example, would you please pass me an apple. We always recedeprecede a word with "a" if it doesn't start with a vowel sound. For example, take a hike; I'm spending a Weekend at Burnie's; or there's a Knight in Shining Armour. Similarly, we precede words with the indefinite article "an" if they do start with a vowel sound, for example, an ostrich, an eternalenormous mess or an Occupational Health and Safety Policy.

    Answers · 4 words differ
    • verb → word
    • comparison → contrast
    • recede → precede
    • eternal → enormous
  3. Aging Dental Fillings Safety

    176 words

    Mercury is known to harm the human nervous system. Nevertheless, since the mid-19th century, dentists have relied on mercury amalgam to fill cavities. A recent paper in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology suggestsindicates that these fillings become less dangerous as they age. CanadaCanadian examinedscientists employed x-ray spectroscopy to examine fresh amalgams alongside ones that were roughly two decades old. After 20 years, 95 percent of the elemental mercury at the surface had transformed chemically. It turned into darkbeta-mercury sulfide, a dark solid. This accountsexplains why fillings lose their shine over time. And the substance is not taken up by the body, so it cannot cause harm the way pure mercury does. Naturally, this research does not resolve the debatequestion about how initiallypotentially risky a new filling might be. But foods high in sulfides, like coffee, garlic, and onions, may speed up the conversion from metallic mercury to the less harmful sulfide. So if you have a recent mercury filling, a smelly chili dog with a cup of coffee could be exactly what the doctor recommends.

    Answers · 7 words differ
    • suggests → indicates
    • Canada → Canadian
    • examined → scientists
    • dark → beta-mercury
    • accounts → explains
    • debate → question
    • initially → potentially
  4. Squirrel Caching Efficiency Study

    193 words

    You have probably noticedspotted a squirrel or two gathering acorns in your local park this autumn. And, chances are, it took several trips before the animal storedgathered enough provisions for the colder months. Now a study in the October 12th issue of the journal Ecology Letters has uncovered exactly what makes a squirrel so efficient at caching. Dr. Lucia Mendez from the University of Toronto used time-lapsehigh-resolution photography to record the foraging behavior of eastern gray squirrels. In the detailed footage, the squirrels' movements adapt to a rival long before their paws carry them to a new hiding spot. Equipped with a sharp spatial memory, the squirrel first evaluates the competitor's position, then formulatesdevises a diversion within 150 milliseconds. When observed from above, for example, a squirrel digs a false hole and covers it with leaves. If you watch from a distance, the squirrel repeats the trick in a different location. This strategytactic then allows the squirrel to mislead any onlooker and protect its real food supply. So, if you want to observe genuine caching behavior, Mendez suggests watching quietly from a concealed spot. Or you could always set up a wildlife camera.

    Answers · 5 words differ
    • noticed → spotted
    • stored → gathered
    • time-lapse → high-resolution
    • formulates → devises
    • strategy → tactic
  5. Melbourne Urban Development

    324 words

    The city of Melbourne is known for its bustlingvibrant arts scene and diverse culinary offerings. In recent years, the local government has invested heavily in public transport, aiming to connect more neighborhoods with the central business district. New tram lines and upgraded train stations have made commuting easier for residents. However, some critics argue that the focus on public transport has come at the expense of road maintenance, leading to potholes and uneven surfaces. Despite these concerns, the number of people using buses and trains has grown steadily. The city also launched a campaign to encourage cycling, building dedicated lanes and offering subsidies for bike purchases. Local shopsmarkets have reported an increase in foot traffic, which they attribute to the improved accessibility. Meanwhile, the historic market area underwent a major repairrenovation project, attracting both tourists and locals. The project included restoring old facades and adding green spaces. As a result, the area has become a popular spot for weekend gatherings. City planners are now looking at ways to reduce car usage further, proposing a slowermore speed limit in residential zones. They believe that these measures will not only cut emissions but also make streets safer for pedestrians. The next phase of the plan involves expanding the bike-sharing program and introducing electric buses. Funding for these initiatives will come from a combination of state grants and a small increase in local taxes. Early estimates suggest that the costbudget for the upcoming projects is around fifty million dollars. Public opinion remains divided, with some residents worried about the potential delayscongestion during construction. Nevertheless, officials are confident that the long-term benefits will outweigh the short-term inconveniences. They point to similar successful transformations in other cities around the world. The hope is that Melbourne will become a model for sustainable urban development. The project is expected to be completed within five years, barring any unforeseen issues. Regular updates will be provided through the city's website and community meetings.

    Answers · 6 words differ
    • bustling → vibrant
    • shops → markets
    • repair → renovation
    • slower → more
    • cost → budget
    • delays → congestion
  6. Fluoride Barrier Thickness

    174 words

    Attractiveness is merely superficial. And the appeal of gleaming white teeth is even shallower. For fresh research indicates that fluoride creates a slimmer welshesprotective barrier than previously believed. The findings are published in the surface science periodical Langmuir. U.S. shoppers expend over fifty billion dollars annually combating tooth decay. Upon discovering fluoride's benefits, we incorporated it into our water supply, toothpaste, and rinses. But what is fluoride's mechanism? Many assumed that fluoride bonds chemically with enamel's primary mineral to produce a dense, beretdecay-resistant coating. However, the latest mismatchresearch strikes that notion a blow. German researchers utilized x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to capture a precise picture of a treated tooth's exterior. They discovered the defensive layer is ponderouslyactually a mere 6 competencesnanometers in depth. That's roughly one fifteen-thousandth the thickness of a paper sheet. And such a thin covering would probably erode through normal mastication. How fluoride repels the tooth fairy remains a puzzle that teacupfulsresearchers are still striving to solve. Meanwhile, we may not grasp the process, but we know it functions. So continue brushing.

    Answers · 6 words differ
    • welshes → protective
    • beret → decay-resistant
    • mismatch → research
    • ponderously → actually
    • competences → nanometers
    • teacupfuls → researchers
  7. Short Stature Pathways

    242 words

    The labelterm pygmy typicallyusually describes several communitiesgroups of short-statured individualspeople living in equatorial rainforest zonesregions across Africa. The presenceexistence of separate populations of these people gave researchersscientists a opportunity to investigate how normal human growth processes have been modified there. They found that two groups achieved small size through two distinct pathways. The work appears in Nature Communications. The scientists gathered information on roughly 500 members of a west African ethnic community known as the Baka. They found that Baka babies have a comparable size distribution to most other babies, but exhibit a reduced growth velocity during their first two years, which creates a permanent outcome. This pathway appears to differ from that of the east African groups called the Efé and Sua. These populations experience slow prenatal development, so that the infants arrive smaller. The scientists note that the Baka population seems to have diverged from the Efé and Sua around 20,000 years ago. The two separate mechanisms for attaining small body size—which seems beneficial in the equatorial rainforest setting—are therefore a case of convergent evolution. The scientists argue the results reveal something significant about human evolution and development broadly: "Homo sapiens could thus be defined by its high capacity for growth plasticity during infancy. This ability, which may be exclusive to our species, may have served a crucial role in the biological adjustment that allowed its global spread and settlement of varied environments within a brief period after leaving Africa."

    Answers · 7 words differ
    • label → term
    • typically → usually
    • communities → groups
    • individuals → people
    • zones → regions
    • presence → existence
    • researchers → scientists
  8. Highlight Incorrect Words #36

    204 words

    When you eat might be more important than what you eat, especially for diets that promote a longer life. For years, scientistsresearchers have recognized that creatures on a restricted schedulediet survive longer than those with unlimited food. But this longevity-focused eating plan is not a simple matter of refusing a second helping of dessert. To obtain the rejuvenatinglife-extending advantages, some animals reduce their calorie intake by fifty percent. While this is manageable for laboratory mice and monkeys, it is a difficult proposition for people. Then, five years ago, research on mice suggested that periodicintermittent fasting could work just as well. These mice went without food every other day and lived longer than their overindulgent peers—without significantly cutting the total caloriesnutrients they consumed. Now, investigators at Kyoto University have observed the same result in worms that fasted every third day. And they discovered a gene that controls this effect, according to findings published in the journal Nature. Like the mice, these fasting worms did not lower their overall calorie consumption. But they increased their lifespan by 50 percent and displayed fewer signs of bodilyphysical deterioration than their counterparts. So go ahead, enjoy that extra slice of cake. Because tomorrow is another day. To not eat.

    Answers · 6 words differ
    • scientists → researchers
    • schedule → diet
    • rejuvenating → life-extending
    • periodic → intermittent
    • calories → nutrients
    • bodily → physical
  9. Television Consent Lessons

    272 words

    You can lecture teenagers endlessly about sex. Yet to truly impart healthy lessons on consent, perhaps you should encourage them to view: "In the Criminal Justice system, sexually-based crimesoffenses are considered especially heinous…" Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. Seriously. At least compared to other television series. Because research reveals that college pupilsstudents who watched episodes of the various Law & Orders possessed a clearer grasp of sexual consent matters than those who viewed two different crime procedural franchises, NCIS and CSI. The study appears in the Journal of Health Communication. For the investigation, scientists surveyed over 300 college first-years on whether they agreed or disagreed that if a female is assaulted she bears some responsibility, a notion termed rape myth acceptance. The participants were also queried about their plans to seek consent for sexual encountersactivity and their plans to decline sexual activity. The findings: the college students who watched ripped-from-the-headline Law & Order compared to the other programs held firmer views on consent and were less inclined to accept rape mythology. Viewing CSI, where the victim is frequently deceased and handled as just another piece of evidence, was linkedassociated with reduced intentions to seek consent and a higher acceptance of rape myths. Exposure to the NCIS franchise correlated with diminisheddecreased intentions to refuse unwanted sexual activity. Earlier studies indicated that the Law & Order shows directly confront myths and stereotypes concerning sexual assaults. Meanwhile CSI has faced criticism for storylines that bolster rape myths. So it appears that consumingwatching those shows—at least for college-aged youth—may influence sexual consent intentions and conduct. And regarding Law & Order, that influence could be beneficial.

    Answers · 6 words differ
    • crimes → offenses
    • pupils → students
    • encounters → activity
    • linked → associated
    • diminished → decreased
    • consuming → watching
  10. Autonomy In Science Education

    142 words

    How can pupilsstudents truly grasp fundamental science? A study recently showcasedpresented at the yearly gathering of the American SocietyAssociation for the Advancement of Science proposessuggests a solution: autonomy. After observing non-science majors struggle with biology classes, Steve Rissing from Ohio State University chose to compare the tedious traditional recipe approach of instructionteaching against a novel method. The conventional way involved providing students with a hefty textbook and simplifying experiments. Many learners still performed inadequately on basic questions. The innovative approach granted students independence. They created their own enzyme mixtures and were urged to devise their own procedures. The outcome? Eighty-three percent of the autonomous students correctly answered the straightforward query, "Where do enzymes exist in nature?" Only 23 percent of the recipe group respondedanswered accurately. These fresh techniques could assist in training students to better appreciate and comprehend the elegance of science.

    Answers · 6 words differ
    • pupils → students
    • showcased → presented
    • Society → Association
    • proposes → suggests
    • instruction → teaching
    • responded → answered
  11. Nursing Team Structure In Wards

    119 words

    The concept involves splitting the ward—the patients, essentially—and the nursing staff into three separate groups, which we term primary nursing teams. Within these teams, we have the leadprimary nurse, which is me, associate nurses who are typicallygenerally D grade staff, and healthcare aides,assistant all working together in one unit. The goal is for you to collaborate as a team in organizing care for the patients assigned to your group, such as the red team. Each team is responsible for eight patients. The plan is that I would usuallynormally design or outline the care for those patients. In practice, it doesn't always happen that way, and besides, the associate nurses in the teams already possess those competencies from their education.training

    Answers · 5 words differ
    • lead → primary
    • typically → generally
    • aides → assistant
    • usually → normally
    • education → training
  12. Female Olfactory Superiority

    185 words

    A female acquaintancefriend recently remarked about her partner: "He's such a child.boy His towels are musty.stinky And he doesn't seem to notice!" Well, perhaps he can't detectsmell the mustiness.stinkyness Based on recent findings from the Monell Chemical Senses Center, women possess significantlymuch keener olfactory abilities. Researchers gathered tiny droplets of sweat and asked both genders to smell the samples. Both groups reported the scents were equally intense. Participants then rated odor potency while sniffing sweat combined individually with 32 distinct scents. Only two of the aromas prevented women from detecting the sweat. However, 19 scents effectively masked it from male noses. Body odor is unique—the scientists note that in earlier research, men's and women's scent perception did not vary for other smells. The study also found that male odor is more difficult to conceal than female odor, irrespective of the sniffer. Merely a fifth of the scents could hide male odor. Yet half of the scents disguised female odor. The researchers propose that for women, there may be crucial biological signals embedded in male sweat. So perhaps hold off on washing those towels for now.

    Answers · 6 words differ
    • acquaintance → friend
    • child → boy
    • musty → stinky
    • detect → smell
    • mustiness → stinkyness
    • significantly → much

Frequently asked questions

How is this task scored?

One point for each wrong word you click and one deducted for each correct word you click, never below zero. Credits Listening and Reading.

How many words are wrong?

Usually five to seven in a transcript of 60 to 90 words. The replacements are the same word class and often similar in sound.

How do I keep up?

Follow the text with the cursor as you listen and click the moment a word differs; do not read ahead.