The PTE (Pearson Test of English) Speaking & Writing section includes the task “Summarize Written Text.” In this task, you need to read a passage of up to 400 words and summarize it into one sentence of no more than 75 words. This requires careful reading comprehension, synthesis of key points, and strong grammatical control. One topic frequently seen in this section pertains to E-commerce’s impact on traditional retail, making it valuable to practice summarizing such topics effectively.
Sample Summarize Written Text Task
Below is a practice question in standard PTE format based on the topic E-commerce’s impact on traditional retail. After reading the passage, provide a one-sentence summary.
Task Prompt:
Read the following text and summarize it in one sentence. The summary should not exceed 75 words.
With the rapid growth of online shopping, traditional retail stores are facing significant challenges. E-commerce platforms, such as Amazon and Alibaba, offer consumers convenience, a wider range of products, and competitive pricing, which are difficult for brick-and-mortar stores to match. In response, physical retailers are adopting new strategies like enhancing the in-store experience, diversifying into online markets, and utilizing technologies such as virtual reality to entice shoppers. Despite these efforts, the shift towards online shopping continues to grow, transforming the retail landscape globally.
Answer Samples with Different Band Scores
Sample 1: High Band (79+)
The shift towards e-commerce, driven by convenience, variety, and competitive pricing, is forcing traditional retailers to adopt innovative strategies such as improving in-store experiences and adopting technology, but the trend towards online shopping is still growing globally.
- Content: Strong synthesis of all key points, highlighting the main causes (convenience, variety, pricing) and responses (innovation, technology) from the original text.
- Form: Fulfilled the one-sentence requirement (58 words).
- Grammar: Sophisticated use of sentence structure, including multiple clauses.
- Vocabulary: Excellent selection, using terms like “driven,” “adopt,” and “innovation.”
- Spelling: Accurate spelling throughout.
Sample 2: Mid Band (65-75)
E-commerce is growing because of its convenience, range, and price advantages, so traditional retailers are trying new strategies like using better technology and improving stores, but online shopping is continuing to rise.
- Content: Covers key points (e-commerce growth, pressure on physical stores, and response strategies) but lacks some advanced detail.
- Form: Fulfills the form requirement with 49 words.
- Grammar: Less complex sentence structure, fewer subordinate clauses, but still correct.
- Vocabulary: Simple, lacks variation; could use more specific word choices such as “adopt” instead of “trying.”
- Spelling: Accurate spelling.
Sample 3: Low Band (50-64)
Online shopping offers more products and cheaper prices which is why it is growing while regular stores are trying to improve but customers still prefer online.
- Content: Limited coverage; misses the mention of innovation strategies, variety of product offerings, and the global angle.
- Form: Respecting the form requirement (29 words), but sentence is overly simplistic.
- Grammar: Multiple grammar issues; a comma would improve readability, and “regular stores” is not the best term.
- Vocabulary: Very basic vocabulary, missing advanced variations.
- Spelling: Accurate spelling but lacks sophistication.
Vocabulary and Grammar Breakdown
Here is a list of useful vocabulary taken from the task along with their phonetic pronunciations and explanations. Implementing these words into your practice will help improve your academic language skills:
-
Convenience /kənˈviːniəns/: The state of being able to proceed with something with little effort or difficulty.
Example: Online shopping is popular because of its convenience. -
Variety /vəˈraɪəti/: The quality or state of being different or diverse; having a range of things.
Example: E-commerce allows access to a variety of products. -
Competitive /kəmˈpɛtɪtɪv/: Relating to a situation where different parties rival for improvement or advantage.
Example: E-commerce pricing is highly competitive. -
Adopt /əˈdɑpt/: To begin to take up or follow an approach or idea.
Example: Traditional stores are adopting new technologies to compete. -
Enhance /ɪnˈhæns/: To improve the quality, value, or extent of something.
Example: Some stores are enhancing their in-store experience. -
Diversify /daɪˈvɜrsɪfaɪ/: To extend into varied industries or products.
Example: Retailers are diversifying by entering e-commerce markets. -
Brick-and-mortar /ˌbrɪk ən ˈmɔrtər/: Refers to physical retail stores or establishments.
Example: Brick-and-mortar stores face challenges from e-commerce platforms. -
Virtual Reality /ˈvɜrtʃuəl riˈalɪti/: A simulated experience created by computer technology that can be similar to or completely different from the real world.
_Example: Virtual reality is used to enhance the shopping experience in physical stores.* -
Transform /trænsˈfɔrm/: To make a thorough or dramatic change.
_Example: E-commerce continues to transform the retail sector.* -
Strategy /ˈstrætədʒi/: A plan of action designed to achieve a long-term or overall aim.
_Example: Traditional stores are devising new strategies to fight competition from e-commerce.*
Each of these words is relevant to discussions of retail and e-commerce and should be practiced in different contexts for full mastery.
Conclusion
In today’s rapidly evolving market, E-commerce’s impact on traditional retail remains a relevant topic for the PTE Summarize Written Text task. By practicing concise summaries focusing on main ideas, you are better prepared to fully comprehend and convey complex material during the actual exam. The sample here offers a strong foundation in approaching this topic. Be sure to practice this structure and aim to integrate advanced vocabulary in your responses.
For more insights into related topics, visit E-commerce’s influence on global retail trends.
Let us know if you have further questions or feedback on this topic!
