The Summarize Written Text (SWT) section is part of the Speaking & Writing segment in the Pearson Test of English (PTE) exam, where candidates are tasked with reading a passage and creating a concise single-sentence summary. The goal is to measure your ability to identify and summarize main ideas. In this article, we present a sample question related to Genetic Engineering’s Role in Medicine, a common subject in texts about modern science and healthcare advancements. By practicing this, you’ll sharpen your summarization skills and prepare yourself for the exam.
Sample Summarize Written Text: Genetic Engineering’s Role in Medicine
Prompt
Genetic engineering has revolutionized the medical field by allowing scientists to manipulate an organism’s genetic material for the treatment of various diseases. Specifically, gene therapy, a product of genetic engineering, has become a powerful tool in combating inherited disorders by directly altering defective genes at their source. In addition, genetic engineering plays a crucial role in the development of personalized medicine, where treatments are tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup, leading to more effective and targeted therapies. Furthermore, advances in genetic engineering have enabled the creation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), including plants and animals, to produce essential substances such as insulin and other biopharmaceuticals more efficiently. However, as with any groundbreaking technology, there are ethical concerns surrounding the potential misuse of genetic engineering, particularly in areas related to human enhancement and cloning. These concerns must be addressed to ensure that the positive contributions of genetic engineering to medicine are maximized while minimizing harm.
Write a summary in one sentence.
Sample Answers for PTE Band Scores
Band 90 (High Score)
Genetic engineering has had a transformative impact on medicine, notably through gene therapy and personalized treatments, while also creating ethical concerns regarding its potential misuse in areas like human enhancement.
Analysis:
- Content: The summary covers all the major points, including gene therapy, personalized medicine, and ethical dilemmas.
- Form: The text is a single, grammatically correct sentence within the word count range (5-75 words).
- Grammar: The sentence is complex with correct punctuation.
- Vocabulary: Advanced vocabulary such as “transformative”, “personalized treatments”, and “ethical concerns” is used.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band 80
Genetic engineering has advanced medicine by enabling gene therapy and personalized medicine, but there are concerns about its ethical implications in human enhancement.
Analysis:
- Content: The summary mentions key aspects like gene therapy, personalized medicine, and ethical concerns, but with less depth than the highest band.
- Form: The structure is correct and concise.
- Grammar: The sentence is grammatically sound.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate and clear use of vocabulary related to the passage.
- Spelling: There are no spelling mistakes.
Band 70
Genetic engineering has improved medicine with gene therapy and personalized treatments, though there are debates over its ethical use.
Analysis:
- Content: The key points are covered (gene therapy, personalized treatments, ethical debate) but some phrases lack specificity.
- Form: The summary follows form requirements.
- Grammar: Grammar structure is correct.
- Vocabulary: Simpler vocabulary compared to higher band responses.
- Spelling: No spelling issues.
Band 60
Genetic engineering helps with gene therapy and personalized medicine, and there are ethical questions.
Analysis:
- Content: The essential points are mentioned briefly but lack detail.
- Form: The structure is acceptable, but the sentence is overly simplified.
- Grammar: The basic grammar structure is correct.
- Vocabulary: The language used is too simple for a higher score.
- Spelling: No errors in spelling.
Vocabulary and Grammar from the Passage
Below are ten challenging words from the sample passage, along with their definitions, phonetic transcriptions, and example sentences to help strengthen your vocabulary.
-
Revolutionize /ˌrɛv.əˈluː.ʃə.naɪz/
- Definition: To completely change something, usually for the better.
- Example: The internet has revolutionized how people communicate globally.
-
Gene Therapy /ʤiːn ˈθɛr.ə.pi/
- Definition: A medical treatment where defective genes are corrected.
- Example: Gene therapy is being researched to treat patients with rare genetic disorders.
-
Personalized /ˈpɜː.sə.naɪzd/
- Definition: Tailored to meet an individual’s specific characteristics.
- Example: Personalized medicine allows for treatments to be customized based on a person’s genetic information.
-
Inherited /ɪnˈher.ɪt.ɪd/
- Definition: Passed down from one generation to another through genetic information.
- Example: Inherited diseases often require genetic analysis for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
-
Biopharmaceutical /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.fɑːrməˈsuː.tɪ.kəl/
- Definition: A pharmaceutical produced using biotechnology.
- Example: The production of insulin as a biopharmaceutical has helped millions of diabetics around the world.
-
Ethical /ˈɛθ.ɪ.kəl/
- Definition: Relating to moral principles and rules of conduct.
- Example: The ethical concerns surrounding cloning continue to spark debate among scholars.
-
Misuse /ˌmɪsˈjuːz/
- Definition: The incorrect or inappropriate use of something.
- Example: The misuse of genetic data can lead to privacy violations.
-
Enhancement /ɪnˈhɑːns.mənt/
- Definition: Improvement or augmentation of a condition or ability.
- Example: Some worry about the social implications of genetic enhancement for superhuman abilities.
-
Combating /kəmˈbæt.ɪŋ/
- Definition: Taking action to prevent or reduce the impact of something negative.
- Example: New vaccines are crucial in combating the spread of infectious diseases.
-
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) /ʤəˈnɛtɪkli ˈmɑdɪfaɪd ˈɔːɡənɪzəmz/
- Definition: Organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering.
- Example: GMOs are widely used in agriculture to create disease-resistant crops.
Conclusion
The sample passage about Genetic Engineering’s Role in Medicine presented a typical Summarize Written Text task in the PTE exam, where you need to condense complex information into a concise summary. With this frequent topic being highly relevant and technical, mastering such texts helps in preparing better for the real exam. Try testing yourself with this prompt and leave your attempts in the comments below for further practice! Practicing regularly will bolster your PTE scores significantly.
