PTE Academic Reading Test 2

Time allowed: 29-30 minutes Total questions: 18

Part 1: Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks

Below is a text with blanks. Select the appropriate word from the dropdown list for each blank.

Question 1-5

Passage: The Psychology of Decision-Making

Human decision-making is far more complex than economists once believed. Traditional economic theory assumed that people make 1 {{ANSWER:1}} choices based on careful analysis of available information. However, behavioral economists have shown that our decisions are often influenced by cognitive biases and emotional factors. For instance, we tend to 2 {{ANSWER:2}} losses more heavily than equivalent gains—a phenomenon known as loss aversion. Similarly, we are prone to 3 {{ANSWER:3}} on information that confirms our existing beliefs while dismissing contradictory evidence. These mental shortcuts, or heuristics, can lead to 4 {{ANSWER:4}} decisions in certain contexts. Understanding these biases is essential for designing policies and systems that help people make better choices, particularly in areas such as healthcare, finance, and 5 {{ANSWER:5}} planning.

1 Options: rational, radical, radial, racial

2 Options: weight, wait, weigh, wade

3 Options: fixating, fixated, fixate, fixes

4 Options: suboptimal, submarine, subsequent, substantial

5 Options: retirement, returning, retaining, retreating

Part 2: Re-order Paragraphs

The text boxes below have been placed in a random order. Restore the original order.

Question 6-9

A These collaborative communities, often referred to as ecosystems, have become crucial drivers of innovation and job creation in the modern economy.

B Successful hubs typically share certain characteristics: access to skilled talent, proximity to research institutions, available funding, and a culture that tolerates risk and failure.

C Technology hubs have emerged in cities around the world, where entrepreneurs, investors, and researchers cluster together to share ideas and resources.

D While Silicon Valley remains the most famous example, cities like Tel Aviv, Bangalore, and Shenzhen have developed thriving technology ecosystems with their own unique strengths.

Correct order:

6 {{ANSWER:6}} → 7 {{ANSWER:7}} → 8 {{ANSWER:8}} → 9 {{ANSWER:9}}

Part 3: Reading: Fill in the Blanks

Below is a text with blanks. Drag and drop the words from the word bank to complete the text.

Question 10-14

Passage: Ocean Acidification

Since the industrial revolution, the world's oceans have absorbed approximately one-third of the carbon dioxide released by human activities. While this has helped to 10 {{ANSWER:10}} climate change by reducing atmospheric CO2, it has come at a significant cost. When carbon dioxide dissolves in seawater, it forms carbonic acid, gradually lowering the ocean's pH level. This process, known as ocean acidification, poses a 11 {{ANSWER:11}} threat to marine ecosystems. Organisms that build shells or skeletons from calcium carbonate, such as corals, oysters, and certain plankton species, find it increasingly 12 {{ANSWER:12}} to maintain their structures in more acidic waters. The 13 {{ANSWER:13}} effects extend throughout the food chain, potentially disrupting fisheries that billions of people depend on for protein. Scientists warn that without significant reductions in carbon emissions, ocean acidification could fundamentally 14 {{ANSWER:14}} marine ecosystems within this century.

Word Bank: alter, difficult, mitigate, cascading, profound, substantial, moderate

Part 4: Multiple Choice, Choose Single Answer

Read the text and answer the multiple-choice question by selecting the correct response. Only one response is correct.

Question 15

Passage: The Rise of Remote Work

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated a transformation in work practices that was already underway but might have taken years to unfold naturally. Companies that had resisted remote work were forced to adopt it virtually overnight, and many discovered that productivity could be maintained or even improved. Workers, meanwhile, appreciated the flexibility and elimination of commuting time. However, remote work has also revealed significant challenges. Collaboration and spontaneous innovation may suffer when employees cannot interact face-to-face. New employees often struggle to build relationships and absorb company culture remotely. Additionally, the blurring of boundaries between work and home life has contributed to burnout for many workers. As organizations move forward, most are adopting hybrid models that attempt to capture the benefits of both in-person and remote work while minimizing the drawbacks.

Question 15: According to the passage, what is the main approach organizations are taking regarding remote work?

A. Completely eliminating remote work options B. Implementing hybrid models that combine remote and in-person work C. Making all positions permanently remote D. Returning entirely to pre-pandemic work arrangements

Question 16

Passage: Antibiotic Resistance

The discovery of antibiotics in the twentieth century revolutionized medicine, transforming previously fatal infections into treatable conditions. However, the widespread use—and misuse—of these drugs has created a growing crisis. Bacteria evolve rapidly, and those that survive antibiotic treatment can pass on their resistant genes to future generations. The overuse of antibiotics in healthcare, where they are sometimes prescribed for viral infections against which they are ineffective, has contributed to this problem. Even more significant is the use of antibiotics in agriculture, where they are often administered to healthy animals to promote growth and prevent disease in crowded conditions. Resistant bacteria can then spread to humans through the food chain or the environment. Public health experts warn that without urgent action, we risk entering a "post-antibiotic era" where common infections become untreatable and routine surgeries become dangerous.

Question 16: What does the passage suggest is the more significant contributor to antibiotic resistance?

A. Patients not completing their full course of antibiotics B. The use of antibiotics in agricultural practices C. Doctors prescribing antibiotics for viral infections D. The natural evolution of bacteria over time

Part 5: Multiple Choice, Choose Multiple Answers

Read the text and answer the question by selecting all the correct responses. More than one response is correct.

Question 17

Passage: The Digital Divide

Despite the rapid expansion of internet access worldwide, significant disparities persist in who can participate in the digital economy. The digital divide manifests in multiple dimensions: access to reliable internet connections, ownership of appropriate devices, and the skills needed to use technology effectively. Rural areas often lack the infrastructure for high-speed internet, while urban residents may face affordability barriers. Older adults frequently struggle with rapidly evolving technologies, and people with disabilities may encounter websites and applications that are not designed with accessibility in mind. The consequences of digital exclusion have become increasingly severe as essential services—from banking to healthcare to education—move online. Those without adequate digital access find themselves at a growing disadvantage in the job market, unable to access government services efficiently, and cut off from social connections that increasingly occur online.

Question 17: According to the passage, what are the dimensions of the digital divide?

A. Access to reliable internet connections B. Cost of electricity for charging devices C. Ownership of appropriate devices D. Skills needed to use technology effectively E. Number of social media followers

Question 18

Passage: Sustainable Architecture

The building sector accounts for roughly forty percent of global energy consumption and a significant share of carbon emissions. Sustainable architecture seeks to minimize this environmental footprint through thoughtful design and innovative technologies. Passive design strategies take advantage of natural lighting and ventilation to reduce energy needs, while high-performance insulation and windows minimize heat loss. Green roofs and walls provide insulation, manage stormwater, and create habitat for wildlife in urban environments. Some buildings now generate their own energy through solar panels or wind turbines, achieving net-zero or even net-positive energy status. Beyond energy, sustainable buildings prioritize water efficiency through rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling systems. Materials are carefully selected to minimize embodied carbon—the emissions associated with manufacturing and transportation—and to ensure they can be recycled or safely decomposed at the end of the building's life.

Question 18: What strategies do sustainable buildings employ according to the passage?

A. Using natural lighting and ventilation B. Installing high-performance insulation C. Increasing building heights D. Implementing green roofs E. Harvesting rainwater

PTE Academic Reading - Test 2