In the PTE Academic Test, the “Summarize Written Text” task in the Speaking and Writing section challenges candidates to condense a lengthy passage into a single sentence, staying within a 5-75 word limit. One frequent topic in this task revolves around environmental issues, specifically technological advancements related to waste and renewable energy. Today’s practice exercise focuses on “Waste-to-energy Technology Advancements”, which is not only a current global topic but also commonly seen in PTE writing tasks. Below, you will find a carefully crafted practice question along with model answers across different band scores. Let’s dive into the task!
Practice Question: Waste-to-energy Technology Advancements
Task Instructions:
Read the following passage and summarize it in one sentence. Your response should be between 5 and 75 words long.
Waste-to-energy (WtE) technology has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential to transform municipal and industrial waste into usable energy. Traditional waste management methods, such as landfilling and incineration, have been criticized for contributing to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, modern WtE systems can reduce carbon footprints by converting waste into electricity, heat, and fuel while releasing fewer emissions. Many countries are investing heavily in the development and adoption of WtE plants, as these facilities not only provide a sustainable way to manage waste but also generate renewable energy. Integrating advanced technologies such as gasification, pyrolysis, and anaerobic digestion has further improved the efficiency and environmental benefits of WtE processes. Nevertheless, critics argue that high costs and technical challenges still limit its widespread adoption.
Summarize the passage in one sentence.
Model Answers based on PTE Band Scores:
Band 79+: High Proficiency Response (Content: 5/5, Form: 2/2, Grammar: 2/2, Vocabulary: 2/2, Spelling: 2/2)
Waste-to-energy technology is gaining momentum as it transforms waste into energy using technological advancements like gasification and pyrolysis, offering a sustainable solution to waste management despite concerns over costs and technical limitations.
Band 65-78: Competent Response (Content: 4/5, Form: 2/2, Grammar: 1.5/2, Vocabulary: 1.5/2, Spelling: 2/2)
The waste-to-energy system uses advanced technologies to convert waste into energy, providing a more environmentally friendly option for waste management although concerns over expense and technical challenges continue.
Analysis: This answer is clear, concise, and well-formulated, although it slightly lacks in advanced vocabulary usage and could combine ideas more effectively.
Band 50-64: Modest Response (Content: 3.5/5, Form: 2/2, Grammar: 1.5/2, Vocabulary: 1/2, Spelling: 2/2)
Waste-to-energy methods are becoming more common because of their ability to make energy from waste, but there are still concerns about costs and technical issues.
Analysis: This summary effectively covers the main points, but the sentence structure is somewhat simplistic and lacks sophisticated transitions between ideas, lowering its overall impact.
Band 40-49: Limited Response (Content: 3/5, Form: 2/2, Grammar: 1/2, Vocabulary: 1/2, Spelling: 2/2)
Waste-to-energy is a method that turns waste into energy, though it has some problems, including technical issues and high costs.
Analysis: While the main idea is captured, the sentence lacks depth and does not fully convey the passage’s details about the technological advancements or environmental benefits.
Vocabulary and Grammar Analysis:
In the passage, we encounter several challenging words and phrases that are crucial for understanding the content. Below, we have highlighted ten advanced terms, their meanings, and example sentences.
Vocabulary List:
-
Municipal (adj.) /mjuːˈnɪsɪpəl/: relating to a city or town or its governing body.
Example: The municipal authorities are responsible for waste management in the city. -
Incineration (n.) /ɪnˌsɪnəˈreɪʃən/: the process of burning waste material to reduce its volume.
Example: Incineration is widely used as a method of waste disposal. -
Footprint (n.) /ˈfʊtˌprɪnt/: the impact of human activities on the environment.
Example: Reducing the carbon footprint is essential to combating climate change. -
Pyrolysis (n.) /paɪˈrɒlɪsɪs/: a process of chemically decomposing organic materials by heat in the absence of oxygen.
Example: Pyrolysis can convert complex organic waste into simpler substances. -
Gasification (n.) /ˌɡæsɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/: a process that converts carbon-based materials into gases for fuel.
Example: Gasification technology is used to produce energy from various feedstocks, including waste. -
Anaerobic Digestion (n.) /ˌænərˌoʊbɪk daɪˈdʒɛstʃən/: the breakdown of organic material in the absence of oxygen.
Example: Anaerobic digestion is commonly used to process waste and generate biogas. -
*Renewable (adj.) /rɪˈnjuːəbl/: capable of being replenished naturally over time.
Example:* Renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, are critical to reducing fossil fuel dependency. -
Sustainable (adj.) /səˈsteɪnəb(ə)l/: able to be maintained over the long term without depleting resources.
Example: Sustainable energy solutions are vital for the future of our planet. -
Adoption (n.) /əˈdɒpʃən/: the act of taking up or using something new, such as technology or a practice.
Example: The adoption of new clean energy technologies has been slow but steady. -
Critics (n.) /ˈkrɪtɪks/: individuals who express negative opinions or highlight flaws.
Example: Critics have raised concerns about the feasibility of some renewable energy technologies.
Conclusion:
The Summarize Written Text task in PTE challenges candidates to extract the essential information from a passage and concisely deliver it in one sentence. Waste-to-energy technology advancements is a commonly tested topic, given the global importance of energy and waste management. Regular practice with passages like the one provided above will help you improve your summarizing skills, resulting in higher scores. Share your own responses and questions in the comments below!
