The PTE Academic exam includes a challenging task called Summarize Written Text, featured in the Speaking & Writing section. Here, candidates are required to summarize a passage into one sentence that includes the main ideas of the text. Ideally, the sentence should be between 5 and 75 words long. One of the key areas highlighted in recent PTE tests is Sustainable Urban Mobility Solutions, reflecting a growing global emphasis on sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation systems. Below, we provide actual practice materials that mirror this focus, designed precisely to give you a head start on summarizing relevant content effectively.
Practice Task 1: Summarize Written Text Task on Sustainable Urban Mobility Solutions
Prompt:
Urban mobility is one of the vital topics in modern society due to the increasing population density in cities, leading to severe transportation challenges. With many cities worldwide struggling with traffic congestion, air pollution, and inefficient public transportation systems, sustainable urban mobility solutions are emerging as the core strategy. The focus is now on improving and expanding public transportation services like buses, metros, and bike-sharing programs to reduce private vehicle usage and curb emissions. Additionally, cities are exploring renewable energy sources for transportation, promoting electric vehicles, and adopting smart traffic management systems. These efforts not only mitigate the environmental impact but also increase the mobility options for urban dwellers.
Instructions:
Summarize the given passage in one sentence, including all the key information. Your answer must be between 5 and 75 words.
Answers & Analysis
Band: 90 (Full Marks)
Many cities face transportation challenges due to high population density, and they are addressing issues such as traffic, pollution, and environment by promoting sustainable mobility solutions like improving public transit, encouraging electric vehicles, and expanding renewable energy sources.
- Content: Comprehensive. Includes all key points such as “public transportation,” “electric vehicles,” and “renewable energy.”
- Form: Follows the one-sentence rule and adheres to the word count guideline.
- Grammar: Flawless. Sentence structure is accurate, with correct use of commas.
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated, with terms like “population density,” “mitigate,” and “sustainable mobility.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Band: 75
Cities face urban mobility challenges such as traffic and pollution, and they are working to address these by expanding public transport, encouraging electric cars, and using renewable energy for transportation.
- Content: Mostly comprehensive but misses minor details like “smart traffic management.”
- Form: Correct structure and word count.
- Grammar: Strong, though relatively simpler than the previous answer.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate but less advanced compared to the Band 90 answer.
- Spelling: No errors.
Band: 65
To solve congestion and pollution issues in cities, sustainable mobility solutions like public transportation improvements and use of electric vehicles are being promoted.
- Content: Misses important points, notably “renewable energy sources” and “smart traffic management.”
- Form: Within word count but lacks some of the details required for full marks.
- Grammar: Simple grammatical structures, but error-free.
- Vocabulary: Limited range with basic terms like “promoted” and “solve.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Band: 50
Transportation problems in cities are being handled by more public transports and electric vehicles.
- Content: Lacks depth and misses the broader points, particularly the role of renewable energy.
- Form: Correct in terms of sentence length, but too simplistic.
- Grammar: Correct but overly basic, lacking relative clauses and other complex sentences.
- Vocabulary: Too simple, with repetitive and vague terms like “problems” and “being handled.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Practice Task 2: Summarize Written Text on Renewable Energy and Urban Mobility
Prompt:
The transition to renewable energy, especially in the transportation sector, is essential in achieving sustainable urban mobility. Governments and city planners are implementing projects that reduce fossil fuel dependency by focusing on solar, wind, and electric-powered public transportation systems. Furthermore, electric buses and shared electric bikes are being adopted in urban areas to provide clean alternatives for daily commuting. Promoting renewable energy-driven transportation plays a crucial role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions, improving air quality, and ensuring long-term energy security for cities.
Instructions:
Summarize the given passage in one sentence, including all the key information. Your answer must be between 5 and 75 words.
Answers & Analysis
Band: 90 (Full Marks)
Renewable energy is key to achieving sustainable urban mobility, as city planners are adopting solar, wind, and electric-powered transportation systems like buses and bikes to reduce fossil fuel dependency and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
- Content: Excellent, providing all the key points, including “renewable energy,” “public transportation systems,” and “lowering emissions.”
- Form: Single sentence, well-structured, and within the word count.
- Grammar: Very strong use of relative clauses and complex sentence structures.
- Vocabulary: Excellent usage of academic terms such as “fossil fuel dependency” and “greenhouse gas emissions.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Band: 75
Sustainable urban mobility is being achieved through renewable energy projects, including solar and electric-powered transport like buses and bikes, helping to reduce emissions and fossil fuel use.
- Content: Well-rounded but slightly less detailed about air quality and long-term energy benefits.
- Form: Satisfies sentence and word count requirements.
- Grammar: Correct but lacks the complexity of the Band 90 answer.
- Vocabulary: Good, but not as varied or advanced.
- Spelling: No errors.
Band: 65
Renewable energy like wind and electric buses helps cities reduce fuel consumption and pollution.
- Content: Misses key information, such as the role of bicycles and long-term energy security.
- Form: Adheres to the one-sentence rule but oversimplified.
- Grammar: Grammatically correct but basic.
- Vocabulary: Basic; terms like “helps” are too general.
- Spelling: No errors.
Vocabulary & Grammar
Here are ten key vocabulary terms from the provided passages to help improve your linguistic understanding:
- Mobility /məʊˈbɪlɪti/ (n): The ability to move freely. Example: Urban planners are focusing on enhancing urban mobility.
- Congestion /kənˈʤɛstʃən/ (n): Overcrowding, particularly on roads. Example: Traffic congestion in many cities leads to severe air pollution.
- Emissions /ɪˈmɪʃənz/ (n): Gases released into the atmosphere. Example: Reducing vehicle emissions is essential for cleaner air.
- Promote /prəˈməʊt/ (v): To encourage or advocate for. Example: Governments are promoting the use of electric vehicles.
- Renewable /rɪˈnjuːəbl/ (adj): Energy that comes from natural sources that are constantly replenished. Example: Renewable energy sources are key to sustainable transportation.
- Dependency /dɪˈpɛndənsi/ (n): The state of relying on something. Example: Reducing fossil fuel dependency is critical in combatting climate change.
- Implementation /ɪmplɪmɛnˈteɪʃən/ (n): The act of putting a plan or decision into effect. Example: The implementation of electric buses is underway in multiple cities.
- Infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ (n): The physical equipment or frameworks needed for operations. Example: Good infrastructure is essential for supporting sustainable urban transport.
- Alternatives /ɔːlˈtɜːnətɪvz/ (n): Different options available for action. Example: Electric vehicles are clean alternatives to petrol-driven cars.
- Sustainability /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/ (n): The ability to maintain in the long term. Example: Sustainability is the key aim of urban mobility planning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sustainable Urban Mobility Solutions are regularly featured in the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam. The topic reflects global efforts in promoting cleaner, more efficient urban transit options. Practicing with real-world examples, and understanding key terms related to the topic, can significantly improve your performance in PTE’s Summarize Written Text task.
