PTE Core Reading Test 7

For much of the twentieth century, the standard advice to anyone hoping to improve at a skill was simply to practise more. The assumption was that talent mattered most and that repetition would steadily turn beginners into experts. More recent research, however, suggests that the quality of practice matters far more than the sheer quantity of hours invested.

Psychologists have identified a particular form of training, often called deliberate practice, that distinguishes those who reach high levels of expertise from those who plateau. Deliberate practice involves working at the edge of one's current ability, focusing on specific weaknesses rather than comfortably repeating tasks that have already been mastered. It requires concentration, immediate feedback, and a willingness to make and correct mistakes. Crucially, it is often demanding and not particularly enjoyable, which is one reason many learners avoid it.

A musician practising deliberately, for example, will not simply play familiar pieces from beginning to end. Instead, she might isolate a difficult passage, slow it down, and repeat it until the problem is resolved, before gradually increasing the speed. The same principle applies in sports, chess, and academic study. The learner who reflects on errors and adjusts accordingly tends to progress far more rapidly than one who merely accumulates time.

This does not mean that natural ability is irrelevant, but it does suggest that effort directed intelligently can compensate for a great deal. For educators and learners alike, the message is encouraging: improvement is less a matter of inborn gifts than of how thoughtfully one chooses to practise.

What is the main idea of the passage?

1. A.Natural talent is the only factor that determines whether someone becomes an expert.
2. B.The number of hours spent practising is the single most important factor in skill development.
3. C.Improvement depends more on the quality and focus of practice than on the amount alone.
4. D.Enjoyable practice is the most effective way to reach a high level of expertise.

The correct answer is shown in your review when you finish the test.