Summarize Written Text in the PTE: Fast Fashion and Textile Waste Management

The Summarize Written Text section in the Speaking and Writing part of the PTE Academic Exam is designed to test your reading comprehension and writing skills. You will need to summarize key ideas from a given passage into a single sentence. One common topic in this section is Fast Fashion and Textile Waste Management, a critical issue in sustainable development and global ecological balance. This article provides sample tasks and model answers for this subject to help you practice and improve your score in this specific section.

Sample Summarize Written Text Tasks on Fast Fashion and Textile Waste Management

Task 1

Fast fashion, characterized by the rapid production of low-cost fashionable clothing, has led to significant environmental concerns. Over the past few decades, the global textile industry has become a major contributor to environmental pollution, due to the increased use of non-biodegradable materials and hazardous chemicals. Furthermore, textile waste, often linked to short-lived fashion trends, adds to growing landfills. Some countries have started implementing stricter regulations to push companies towards more eco-friendly practices, such as using sustainable fabrics and recycling programs. Still, consumer behavior remains a key factor in addressing the problem, as the demand for cheap, disposable clothing continues to drive the fast fashion industry.
Summarize the text in one sentence.

Model Answers

Band 90-100
The fast fashion industry’s reliance on non-biodegradable materials and the production of cheap, disposable clothing significantly contributes to environmental pollution and growing landfills, despite efforts at promoting sustainable practices.

• Content: Perfectly summarizes the main ideas with key details—addresses pollution, materials, unsustainable practices, and consumer behavior.
• Form: Follows the one-sentence requirement within the word limit.
• Grammar: Excellent; correct sentence structure and punctuation.
• Vocabulary: Precise use of advanced terms {biodegradable, disposable, sustainable} correctly.
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 70-80
Fast fashion leads to environmental problems because it creates textile waste and uses harmful materials, though there are regulatory efforts to promote sustainability.

• Content: Captures the main points but lacks a full explanation of consumer behavior.
• Form: Correct form, one sentence.
• Grammar: Good; no major errors.
• Vocabulary: Adequate but lacks complexity; words like “harmful materials” could be more specific.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 50-60
Fast fashion causes a lot of pollution and waste, and more rules are needed to stop it.

• Content: Includes basic points but omits key details such as non-biodegradable materials and sustainability efforts.
• Form: Follows the one-sentence rule but is too short.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure; the second clause is overly general.
• Vocabulary: Limited use of academic words.
• Spelling: No errors but overly simple language.

Task 2

As the fast fashion industry continues to grow, the quantity of clothing waste generated also increases, leading to heightened landfill use and additional environmental challenges. Many garments are made from synthetic fibers, which take decades to decompose and release microplastics into waterways that harm marine life. In contrast, slow fashion encourages the use of natural, biodegradable materials and the adoption of longer-lasting fashion cycles. Both governmental initiatives and consumer awareness campaigns aim to reduce textile waste and encourage sustainable buying behavior, but the shift away from fast fashion remains a significant challenge.

Summarize the text in one sentence.

Model Answers

Band 90-100
Fast fashion’s role in increasing textile waste and environmental damage due to non-biodegradable synthetic fibers contrasts with slow fashion’s advocacy for biodegradable materials and longer-lasting clothes, prompting government and consumer campaigns for waste reduction.

• Content: Fully explains the contrast between fast and slow fashion, with all significant environmental and sustainability details included.
• Form: One sentence adhering to the word limit.
• Grammar: Excellent, with complex sentence structure.
• Vocabulary: Correct and contextually appropriate use of words {synthetic fibers, biodegradable, campaigns}.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 70-80
Fast fashion produces more waste and pollution through synthetic materials, while slow fashion promotes cleaner alternatives and governmental efforts aim to encourage sustainable choices.

• Content: Captures the contrasting elements of fast and slow fashion, though lacks some depth in microplastics and marine life effects.
• Form: One sentence, correct length.
• Grammar: Good grammar overall.
• Vocabulary: Adequate but could be more advanced.
• Spelling: Accurate, no errors.

Band 50-60
Fast fashion is bad for the environment because it produces too much waste, while slow fashion is better.

• Content: Covers a very basic summary of the main ideas but lacks critical details and specifics about environmental impact or government initiatives.
• Form: One sentence but overly simple.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure; lacks conjunctions to link ideas smoothly.
• Vocabulary: Too basic for higher scoring.
• Spelling: Correct but too simplistic.

Vocabulary and Grammar Breakdown

Here are 10 challenging words from the sample tasks, along with their meanings, phonetic transcription, and example sentences to aid comprehension:

1. Biodegradable /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.dɪˈɡreɪ.də.bəl/ (adj.): Capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms.

   • Many textiles in slow fashion are made from biodegradable materials.

2. Microplastic /ˌmaɪ.kroʊˈplæs.tɪk/ (n): Tiny particles of plastic that pollute the environment.

   • Microplastics from fast fashion clothing pollute oceans.

3. Synthetic /sɪnˈθet.ɪk/ (adj.): Made by chemical synthesis, especially to imitate a natural product.

   • Synthetic fibers are commonly used in fast fashion.

4. Landfill /ˈlændˌfɪl/ (n.): A site for the disposal of waste materials by burying them.

   • Much fast fashion waste ends up in landfills.

5. Decompose /ˌdiː.kəmˈpoʊz/ (v.): To break down into simpler components chemically or biologically.

   • Natural fabrics decompose faster than synthetic ones.

6. Sustainability /səˌsteɪn.əˈbɪl.ə.ti/ (n.): The ability to maintain or support a process over the long term.

   • Sustainability is key in combating fast fashion’s environmental impact.

7. Hazardous /ˈhæz.ɚ.dəs/ (adj.): Risky or dangerous.

   • Hazardous chemicals are often used in textile production.

8. Disposable /dɪˈspoʊ.zə.bəl/ (adj.): Meant to be used once and then thrown away.

   • Fast fashion often promotes disposable clothing.

9. Regulation /ˌreɡ.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/ (n.): A rule or directive maintained by an authority.

   • Stricter regulations on textile waste management are needed.

10. Slow fashion /sloʊ ˈfæʃ.ən/ (n.): A movement that promotes sustainability and longer-lasting fashion cycles.

    • Slow fashion advocates for using more eco-friendly materials.

Conclusion

In the PTE Summarize Written Text section, understanding key issues like fast fashion’s environmental consequences and textile waste management can be highly beneficial. This topic frequently appears in exams due to its relevance. Practice summarizing effectively, paying attention to detail, grammar, and accurate vocabulary usage. Keep honing your skills, and feel free to comment if you have any practical queries about the exam.

For more insights into the social and environmental impacts of this pressing issue, you can explore our articles on Fast fashion industry’s environmental impact and Fast fashion’s social and environmental costs. Happy studying!