Summarize Written Text in PTE: Local Food Systems and Urban Resilience

Introduction

In the PTE Academic exam, the Summarize Written Text task in the Speaking & Writing section requires candidates to read a passage and summarize it in a single sentence. This task tests your ability to comprehend, condense complex information, and use precise language—a skill essential for excelling in both academic and professional environments.

The topic of local food systems and urban resilience is becoming more common in such exams due to its relevance in today’s global context. Understanding how food production sustainably supports urban societies can help you grasp the core message quickly, an important skill for this task.

In this article, we provide sample Summarize Written Text exercises to help you practice effectively. We’ll also offer multiple responses spanning various band levels and analyze them thoroughly.

Sample Summarize Written Text Exercise: Local Food Systems and Urban Resilience

Task: Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence. Your response should be between 5 and 75 words.

Urban centers face increasing pressures from population growth and climate-related challenges, making urban resilience a critical focus for sustainable development. Central to this resilience is the development of local food systems, which connect consumers with locally-produced food sources that are less vulnerable to global supply chains disruptions. By shortening supply chains and promoting sustainable farming practices, local food systems reduce the carbon emissions associated with food transportation and increase food security. Many cities have now integrated local food policies into their urban planning strategies, emphasizing community-based agriculture, local markets, and small-scale food enterprises, contributing to a more resilient and sustainable urban future.

High Band Response (90-80)

Local food systems help enhance urban resilience by reducing reliance on global supply chains, minimizing carbon emissions from food transport, and improving food security through community-based and sustainable farming practices integrated into urban planning.

Analysis:

• Content: All key points, including food security, shortened supply chains, carbon reduction, and integration in urban planning, are summarized concisely.
• Form: The sentence is clear, coherent, and within the word limit.
• Grammar: Flawless use of complex sentences and proper grammar rules.
• Vocabulary: The language is advanced, using terms like “resilience,” “sustainable farming,” and “urban planning.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Local food systems contributing to urban resilience and sustainable future

Mid Band Response (70-60)

Urban resilience is promoted by using local food systems, which reduce dependency on global food chains, decrease emissions and increase food security by promoting local agriculture.

Analysis:

• Content: Covers most of the essential points but lacks some detail on urban planning.
• Form: The sentence is coherent and within the word limit.
• Grammar: Good and consistent grammar.
• Vocabulary: The language is appropriate but less varied compared to higher band responses.
• Spelling: No errors.

Lower Band Response (50-40)

Local food systems help in reducing the impact of climate change by supporting small farms and local food markets and making food supply more secure in cities.

Analysis:

• Content: The response captures part of the message but misses key concepts such as global supply chain disruptions and urban planning.
• Form: The sentence is a bit vague and lacks full clarity. However, it is within the required word limit.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure with no significant grammatical issues.
• Vocabulary: Limited use of advanced vocabulary, leaving the sentence less precise.
• Spelling: No errors.

Vocabulary and Grammar Lesson

Let’s explore some challenging vocabulary from the passage and provide their meanings, pronunciation, and usage examples:

1. Resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/ (noun): The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.

   • Example: The city showed remarkable resilience after the flood.

2. Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/ (adjective): Capable of being maintained over the long term without causing harm to the environment.

   • Example: Sustainable farming practices are key to reducing the impact of agriculture on climate change.

3. Supply chain /səˈplaɪ tʃeɪn/ (noun): The entire sequence of processes involved in the production and distribution of a commodity.

   • Example: Disruptions in the global supply chain have led to food shortages in several areas.

4. Carbon emissions /ˈkɑːrbən ɪˈmɪʃənz/ (noun): The release of carbon, usually as carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming.

   • Example: Reducing carbon emissions is critical for tackling climate change.

5. Food security /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərɪti/ (noun): The state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.

   • Example: Local food systems are essential to improving food security in urban areas.

Sustainable farming contributing to urban food security and emissions reductions

6. Urban planning /ˈɜːrbən ˈplænɪŋ/ (noun): The development and design of land use regulations within an urban area for sustainable growth.

   • Example: City officials incorporated urban planning techniques to create more green spaces.

7. Disruptions /dɪsˈrʌpʃənz/ (noun): Disturbances or problems that interrupt an event, activity, or process.

   • Example: There were significant disruptions to the food supply due to extreme weather.

8. Community-based /kəˈmjuːnɪti-beɪzd/ (adjective): Engaged or managed by people at the local community level.

   • Example: Community-based agriculture helps local populations rely less on imported goods.

9. Agriculture /ˈæɡrɪˌkʌltʃər/ (noun): The science or practice of farming, including cultivation of the soil and rearing of animals.

   • Example: Sustainable agriculture aims to minimize environmental impact while producing food.

10. Enterprises /ˈɛntərˌpraɪzɪz/ (noun): Projects or undertakings, especially of a commercial nature.

    • Example: Local enterprises are crucial in building food systems resilient to global crises.

Conclusion

Summarizing a written text in the PTE Speaking & Writing section requires you to quickly grasp the core message and present it succinctly. The example provided above on local food systems and urban resilience is typical of real-world PTE exam topics that test your ability to condense detailed discussions into a single sentence.

Through practice, you will become more adept at identifying key points, improving your content quality, and enhancing your grammar and vocabulary. Be sure to practice regularly to increase your confidence and performance in this part of the PTE exam!