Climate Change Effects on Water Resources: Summarize Written Text in PTE Exam

The Summarize Written Text task in the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE exam is an essential part of the test used to evaluate your reading and writing proficiency. During this task, you need to condense a passage into one single sentence, capturing the main idea without losing the critical point. Climate Change Effects On Water Resources is a compelling subject that appears frequently in PTE exams due to its impact on global ecosystems and communities. Let’s look at some sample tasks and model answers to help you prepare.

Example Task 1: Climate Change and Freshwater Availability

Prompt: Summarize the following text in one sentence.

As climate change intensifies, its effects on global water resources become increasingly severe. Altered rainfall patterns, shrinking glaciers, and rising sea levels are reducing the availability of freshwater in many regions. Droughts and floods are becoming more frequent, causing higher water stress in areas dependent on predictable seasonal patterns. Moreover, groundwater depletion exacerbates the situation, as unsustainable extraction practices in agriculture and industry further strain limited resources. Water scarcity is not only a challenge for ecosystems, but it also threatens food security, economic stability, and social well-being.

Model Answers:

Potential Band 90 Answer:

The growing impact of climate change is severely threatening global water resources by altering rainfall, shrinking glaciers, and depleting groundwater, which significantly affects food security, economic stability, and social well-being.

• Content: This answer accurately covers the main points, including the causes (climate change impact on rainfall, glaciers, and groundwater) and the corresponding consequences (food security, economic and social impacts).
• Form: The sentence is concise and within the word limit.
• Grammar: Grammatical structure is advanced with the appropriate use of clauses.
• Vocabulary: Precise vocabulary like “threatening,” “depleting,” and “food security” is used effectively.
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Potential Band 80 Answer:

Climate change is affecting water resources negatively, leading to altered rainfall patterns, melting glaciers, groundwater depletion, and increased water scarcity, which impacts food and economic security.

• Content: Covers the main causes and impacts, though could involve more integration of consequences.
• Form: Sentence fits within the word limit.
• Grammar: Correct sentence structure but slightly less complex.
• Vocabulary: Words like “negatively” and “impacts” are slightly less precise than in the higher-band answer.
• Spelling: No spelling mistakes.

Potential Band 70 Answer:

Due to climate change, water resources are shrinking, with many places facing water scarcity, food insecurity, and economic problems.

• Content: Some key points are missed (e.g., groundwater depletion and altered rainfall), and connections between climate change’s effects on water resources and consequences are not fully drawn.
• Form: The form is acceptable but lacks complexity.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure but grammatically correct.
• Vocabulary: Simplified, with broad terms like “shrinking” and “problems.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Example Task 2: The Role of Water in Agriculture

Prompt: Summarize the following text in one sentence.

Water is integral to agriculture, serving as a crucial element for crop irrigation and livestock management. However, with the ongoing effects of climate change, water resources available for agriculture are becoming increasingly scarce. Prolonged droughts and unpredictable seasonal shifts are compromising water reliability for farming, resulting in reduced crop yields, food shortages, and economic instability. Agricultural water management strategies must adapt to these realities to sustain production levels in the future.

Model Answers:

Potential Band 90 Answer:

The scarcity of water in agriculture, worsened by climate change through droughts and unpredictable seasons, threatens crop yields, food security, and economic stability, necessitating better water management strategies.

• Content: Fully captures the causes (climate change, droughts, seasonal shifts) and effects (reduced yields, food shortages, economic instability), as well as the solution (water management strategies).
• Form: The sentence flows well and meets the word count requirements.
• Grammar: Complex sentence structure, using appropriate transitions.
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated use of words like “necessitating,” “threatens,” and “scarcity.”
• Spelling: Accurate spelling.

Droughts caused by climate change impact agriculture and water resources globally

Potential Band 80 Answer:

The effects of climate change, such as droughts and changing seasons, are reducing water availability in agriculture, causing lower food production and economic instability.

• Content: Covers the key causes and impacts but omits the highlighted solution (water management strategies).
• Form: Sentence structure is appropriate, though slightly less integrated.
• Grammar: Sentence construction is solid but lacks variety.
• Vocabulary: Accurate but less precise than the higher-band answer.
• Spelling: No errors.

Vocabulary and Grammar Focus

Here are some important words that frequently appear in texts about climate change and water resources:

1. Scarcity /ˈskeə.sə.ti/: (n) The state of being in short supply.

   • Example: Water scarcity is a growing issue in many agricultural regions.

2. Irrigation /ˌɪr.ɪˈɡeɪ.ʃən/: (n) The supply of water to land or crops to help growth.

   • Example: Efficient irrigation is essential for sustainable farming.

3. Depletion /dɪˈpliː.ʃən/: (n) The reduction in the number or quantity of something.

   • Example: Groundwater depletion is accelerating due to over-extraction.

4. Economic stability /ˈiː.kə.nɒm.ɪk stəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/: (n) The condition of having steady financial prosperity.

   • Example: Water shortages can cause economic instability in agricultural economies.

5. Drought /draʊt/: (n) Prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall.

   • Example: Droughts are becoming more frequent with climate change.

6. Seasonal variations /ˈsiː.zən.əl veəˈreɪ.ʃənz/: (n) Changes in climate patterns depending on the season.

   • Example: Seasonal variations in rainfall are impacting farming activities.

7. Water management /ˈwɔː.tər ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/: (n) The practice of using water resources efficiently.

   • Example: Effective water management is key to sustaining agricultural production.

Be sure to review these words regularly while preparing for the PTE exam.

Conclusion

The relationship between climate change and water resources is a topic that you might encounter in the PTE Summarize Written Text section. As shown in the examples above, it’s crucial to cover both the causes and effects of climate change on water when summarizing these passages. Practice frequently, maintain precision in summarizing, and ensure you highlight key points logically. Engage with subjects like Water management in agriculture to gain deeper insight into real-world applications that may enhance your understanding of such topics.

Remember to practice often, and don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions about PTE preparation in the comments!