Summarize Written Text – Importance of Mental Health Support Services in Schools

Sample Summarize Written Text Task – Mental Health in Schools

Instructions: Summarize the following text in one sentence. You will have 10 minutes to finish your response.

According to numerous studies, providing mental health support services in schools is crucial for fostering a well-rounded and healthy student experience. Schools are a central environment in students’ lives, and many face stressors such as academic pressure, social challenges, and personal issues. By having accessible mental health resources such as counseling services and intervention programs, schools can address students’ psychological needs effectively. When students’ mental health is prioritized, it leads not only to improved academic performance but also to better long-term outcomes, including increased emotional resilience and better social relationships. Thus, addressing mental health in schools promotes positive youth development and overall well-being.

Summarize the text in one sentence.

Mental health support in schools involves various services to help students with stress and improve well-being.

Model Answers for Different Band Scores

Band 90:

Providing mental health support services in schools is essential because they help students manage stress, improve their academic performance, and foster emotional resilience, ultimately contributing to positive long-term outcomes.

• Content: Fully covers all key points about the importance of mental health services and their direct benefits.
• Form: Correctly extends the text into a single, concise sentence of 33 words.
• Grammar: Perfect grammar with a variety of complex structures.
• Vocabulary: Precise word choice; e.g., “resilience” and “long-term outcomes.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 80:

Mental health support services in schools are important as they help students cope with stress and improve their academic and social outcomes in both the short and long term.

• Content: Adequately covers the main idea, though without mentioning “emotional resilience.”
• Form: Conforms to the task requirements, maintaining conciseness (29 words).
• Grammar: Almost flawless, with usage of complex and compound structures.
• Vocabulary: Slightly simpler, but still appropriately academic.
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 70:

Mental health services are necessary in schools as they help students with stress and improve school performance.

• Content: Captures the primary idea but misses some details such as long-term effects and emotional health.
• Form: Concise (14 words), but a bit too short and lacks specificity.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure, but accurate.
• Vocabulary: Adequate, though less varied.
• Spelling: No errors.

School mental health intervention programs aiding academic and social growth.

Band 60:

Schools need mental health support for students to help them deal with stress.

• Content: Partially addresses the topic, but oversimplifies the main points and misses significant details.
• Form: Minimalist; too short (10 words) and missing depth.
• Grammar: Basic, with no clear complexity.
• Vocabulary: Very simple; lacks academic precision.
• Spelling: No errors.

Key Vocabulary for Summarize Written Text Tasks

Here are 10 advanced words and phrases from the sample task that are useful to know:

1. Foster /ˈfɒstər/: To encourage the growth or development of something, typically used in an educational or developmental context.

   • Example: Schools should foster a supportive environment for mental health.

2. Well-rounded /ˌwɛl ˈraʊndɪd/: Covering many different areas or aspects, applying to personal, academic, or professional growth.

   • Example: Schools aim to offer a well-rounded education to students.

3. Stressors /ˈstrɛsərz/: Factors causing physical or emotional stress.

   • Example: Homework deadlines and peer pressure are two significant stressors for students.

4. Intervention programs /ɪntəˈvɛnʃən/: Programs designed to alter the course of events or assist individuals before a situation escalates.

   • Example: Mental health intervention programs can prevent severe psychological issues in students.

5. Resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; emotional strength.

   • Example: Students who receive mental health support tend to develop greater emotional resilience.

6. Psychological needs /saɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/: Needs related to the mind, such as emotional and mental health requirements.

   • Example: Addressing students’ psychological needs is key to their well-being.

Mental health support fostering resilience and strong social relationships in students.

7. Long-term outcomes /lɒŋ-tɜːrm/: The results or effects that occur over an extended period.

   • Example: School counseling services lead to positive long-term outcomes for students.

8. Social relationships /ˈsoʊʃəl rɪˈleɪʃənʃɪps/: Connections and interactions with others in one’s social environment.

   • Example: Students with better mental health often have stronger social relationships.

9. Academic performance /ˌækəˈdɛmɪk pərˈfɔːrməns/: The success or achievement in school-related tasks.

   • Example: Improved mental health is linked to better academic performance.

10. Youth development /juːθ dɪˈvɛləpmənt/: The process of growth in young people, including emotional, social, and mental progress.

    • Example: Mental health services are critical for promoting positive youth development.

Conclusion

Summarizing written texts in the PTE Speaking & Writing section requires an ability to condense complex ideas into a single, cohesive sentence. The topic of “the importance of mental health support services in schools” is not only common in academic discourse but also increasingly relevant in real-life educational settings. By practicing these tasks, you will enhance not only your summarization abilities but also your overall preparedness for the exam. Don’t forget to leave a comment if you have any questions or need more practice materials!