In the PTE Academic exam, the task “Summarize Written Text” is an essential part of the Speaking & Writing section, and candidates are often tested with texts discussing relevant and socially significant topics. One of the increasingly popular subjects in recent years is gender equality in leadership roles, touching on the ongoing debate regarding the representation of women and men in positions of power globally. This article will provide sample PTE text summary tasks related to this important topic, along with various band-scored answers for practice.
Understanding the Summarize Written Text Task
In the PTE Summarize Written Text task, candidates are asked to read a passage (150-400 words) and write a summary in one sentence of no more than 75 words. The primary skill tested here is the ability to condense a given text into a single, cohesive sentence while maintaining clarity and completeness of information.
Sample Question 1: Gender Equality in Leadership
Prompt:
Despite advancements in various sectors, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles globally. Scholars have identified several structural barriers contributing to this issue, such as gender stereotyping, a lack of supportive family policies, and financial disparities. Women in leadership positions often face societal scrutiny, balancing family responsibilities with a demanding work schedule. Although progress has been made, particularly in the corporate and political arenas, true gender equality in leadership roles remains an elusive goal, requiring concerted efforts from governments, organizations, and individuals.
Task:
Write a one-sentence summary of the passage. Your response must be between 5-75 words.
Answer 1: Band 90 (Full Marks)
Though women have seen progress in leadership roles, gender equality is not fully achieved because of structural barriers, societal scrutiny, and the challenging balance between family and career, which calls for collective efforts from various stakeholders to address.
Content: Full, clear representation of all key points.
Form: 1 complete sentence under 75 words.
Grammar: Flawless.
Vocabulary: Sophisticated word choices and natural phrasing.
Spelling: All words correctly spelled.
Answer 2: Band 75 (High Score)
Women’s leadership is still hindered by structural barriers and societal expectations, requiring combined action from governments and organizations to ensure progress.
Content: Adequate but slightly less exhaustive.
Form: 1 complete sentence under 75 words.
Grammar: Correct.
Vocabulary: Strong but slightly less varied.
Spelling: Correct.
Answer 3: Band 60 (Medium Score)
Gender equality in leadership needs more work, as women face structural barriers and balance family and career challenges.
Content: Misses some depth, lacks reference to societal effort.
Form: A complete sentence under 75 words.
Grammar: Some minor errors (colloquial tone).
Vocabulary: Basic word choices.
Spelling: Correct.
Answer 4: Band 50 (Low Score)
Women still face problems in leadership because of society and work-life balance.
Content: Oversimplified.
Form: 1 sentence under 75 words.
Grammar: Errors in sentence structure.
Vocabulary: Too basic and limited in range.
Spelling: Correct.
Sample Question 2: Roles of Men and Women in Modern Leadership
Prompt:
In many contemporary societies, traditional gender roles have shifted, allowing both men and women equal opportunities to pursue leadership positions. However, the obstacles faced by each gender still differ significantly. While men often find it easier to secure leadership roles due to existing power structures and networks, women encounter additional scrutiny and a higher expectation to balance work and family life. Addressing these challenges necessitates a holistic approach that includes changes in organizational culture, gender-neutral policies, and societal norms.
Task:
Write a one-sentence summary of the passage. Your response must be between 5-75 words.
Answer 1: Band 90 (Full Marks)
Despite both men and women being allowed leadership opportunities, men still face fewer challenges in securing leadership roles compared to women, who struggle with societal scrutiny and work-life balance issues, highlighting the need for policy changes and cultural shifts.
Content: Clear, correct, covers the key points.
Form: Correct sentence structure, meets length limits.
Grammar: No mistakes.
Vocabulary: Advanced.
Spelling: Correct.
Answer 2: Band 75 (High Score)
Gender equality in leadership is improving, but men benefit from existing networks, while women face challenges balancing personal and professional responsibilities.
Content: Mostly accurate with minor omissions.
Form: Well-structured sentence.
Grammar: Minor issues.
Vocabulary: Limited in complexity but correct.
Spelling: Correct.
Answer 3: Band 60 (Medium Score)
Men find it easier to become leaders, but women face challenges in balancing their lives and work roles.
Content: Lacks depth, misses policy aspect.
Form: Simple sentence, under 75 words.
Grammar: Some structural issues.
Vocabulary: Basic choices.
Spelling: Correct.
Vocabulary Practice
Here are 10 useful words found in the sample questions, accompanied by their definitions, phonetic pronunciation, and illustrative examples.
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Elusive (/ɪˈluːsɪv/): Hard to achieve or locate.
- Achieving gender equality can be an elusive goal.
-
Scrutiny (/ˈskruːtəni/): Critical observation or examination.
- Women leaders often experience scrutiny from society.
-
Structural (/ˈstrʌktʃərəl/): Related to the arrangement of and relations between parts.
- There are several structural barriers preventing women from rising to leadership roles.
-
Holistic (/həʊˈlɪstɪk/): Considering all parts as a whole.
- Addressing this inequality requires a holistic approach.
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Stereotyping (/ˈstɛərɪətaɪpɪŋ/): Oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person.
- Gender stereotyping remains a barrier to leadership.
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Disparities (/dɪˈspærɪtiz/): Differences that are not due to equality.
- The financial disparities between genders affect career progression.
-
Neutral (/ˈnjuːtrəl/): Not favoring either side.
- Gender-neutral policies should be implemented.
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Resilience (/rɪˈzɪliəns/): Ability to recover from difficulties.
- Women in leadership often demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges.
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Prevalent (/ˈprɛvələnt/): Widespread, common.
- Gender barriers are still prevalent in many organizations.
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Concerted (/kənˈsɜːtɪd/): Jointly arranged and carried out.
- Achieving gender equality requires a concerted effort from all sectors.
Conclusion
In summary, mastering the Summarize Written Text task in PTE, with regard to pervasive themes such as gender equality in leadership roles, is vital to success in this section of the exam. By practicing with everyday topics like gender roles in modern societies, candidates can better prepare themselves for the types of questions they will encounter. Always remember to craft a concise yet comprehensive sentence, applying the appropriate grammatical and vocabulary knowledge, to ensure the best possible score.
