Summarize Written Text: Climate Change and Migration Patterns in PTE Examination

Summarize Written Text is one of the most critical tasks in the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE exam, where candidates are required to summarize one or more paragraphs into a single sentence within 75 words. This task tests your reading, comprehension, and writing skills. A recurring topic in the Summarize Written Text section is “Climate Change And Migration Patterns” due to its global relevance. In this article, we’ll explore sample questions, provide model answers, and discuss some frequently tested components in this topic to help you prepare effectively.

Sample Question on Climate Change and Migration Patterns

Below is a model Summarize Written Text question simulating the real PTE exam for you to practice.

Question 1:

Climate change, primarily driven by human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, has been altering global weather patterns. These changes lead to various impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, forcing certain species to migrate to new habitats to survive. For example, many animals are moving towards cooler regions as their existing habitats become uninhabitable due to rising temperatures. Similarly, human populations in coastal areas are increasingly affected by sea-level rise and extreme weather events, often resulting in large-scale displacement and migration to safer inland areas.

Instruction: Summarize the paragraph in one sentence. Your summary should be between 5 and 75 words.

Model Answers and Analysis

To guide your preparation, we provide several sample responses, each rated at different levels based on key scoring criteria in PTE: Content, Form, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Spelling.

Model Answer for a High Band (79+):

As climate change disrupts ecosystems and causes migration in both wildlife and humans, rising temperatures and sea-levels lead species to seek cooler habitats and displace people in coastal areas.

Analysis:

• Content: The central points about species and human migration due to climate change are covered comprehensively.
• Form: The answer is within the correct word count (29 words).
• Grammar: The sentence is complex and grammatically sound.
• Vocabulary: Strong vocabulary usage with terms like “disrupts ecosystems,” “displace,” and “seek cooler habitats.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Model Answer for a Mid Band (65-78):

Because of climate change, human populations and animals are forced to migrate as ecosystems are damaged and coastal areas become dangerously affected by rising sea levels.

Analysis:

• Content: This response captures the main ideas, though it is slightly less detailed.
• Form: The sentence stays within the 20-75 word limit, making it eligible for full marks on form.
• Grammar: The grammar is good, though a bit less complex than the high-level answer.
• Vocabulary: Suitable choices such as “dangerously affected” and “forced to migrate.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Model Answer for a Low Band (<65):

Climate change is making people and animals move from their homes because temperatures are getting too hot, and sea levels are rising in coastal areas.

Analysis:

• Content: The main idea is included but lacks depth compared to higher-scoring responses.
• Form: At 28 words, it is within the required word range.
• Grammar: Basic sentence structure, though grammatically correct, lacks complexity.
• Vocabulary: Vocabulary is simple with words like “too hot” could be rephrased.
• Spelling: No spelling errors, but word choice could be improved.

By ensuring your summaries are concise, grammatically correct, and incorporate relevant key terms, you can effectively tackle this task. Remember, the quality of your response will determine your score.

Key Vocabulary for Climate Change and Migration Patterns

Here’s a list of 10 important words and phrases relevant to the topic of climate change and migration patterns that you can learn to improve your response quality:

1. Ecosystem /ˈiː.koʊˌsɪstəm/ (n): a biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
   Example: “Climate change has put many ecosystems at risk.”

2. Biodiversity /ˌbaɪoʊ.daɪˈvər.sə.ti/ (n): the variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.
   Example: “The Amazon rainforest is home to exceptional biodiversity.”

3. Migration /maɪˈɡreɪ.ʃən/ (n): the movement of large groups of people, animals, etc., from one place to another.
   Example: “Migration patterns of animals are changing due to global warming.”

4. Displacement /dɪsˈpleɪs.mənt/ (n): the forced movement of people or wildlife from their original habitat.
   Example: “Rising sea levels could lead to the displacement of millions of people.”

5. Sea-level rise (phrase): the increase in the level of the ocean’s surface due to climate change.
   Example: “Sea-level rise is a major threat to coastal cities.”

6. Habitat /ˈhæbɪˌtæt/ (n): a natural home or environment where a species lives.
   Example: “Changes in climate are affecting polar bear habitats.”

7. Uninhabitable /ʌnɪnˈhæb.ɪ.tə.bl/ (adj): unable to support human, animal, or plant life.
   Example: “Rising temperatures are making some regions uninhabitable.”

8. Extreme weather events (phrase): severe weather conditions such as hurricanes, floods, or heatwaves.
   Example: “Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent due to climate change.”

9. Carbon emissions (phrase): the release of carbon, especially carbon dioxide, into the atmosphere.
   Example: “Reducing carbon emissions is key to combating global warming.”

10. Adaptation /əˌdæpˈteɪ.ʃən/ (n): the process by which species evolve to cope with environmental challenges.
    Example: “Many species are undergoing rapid adaptation due to climate change.”

Conclusion

Summarize Written Text tasks like the one provided in this article frequently focus on topics like climate change and migration patterns, reflecting their significance in real-world issues. Summarizing these topics requires a solid understanding of the key concepts such as how climate change affects both ecosystems and human populations. With consistent practice, mastering this task and improving your overall PTE score is entirely achievable. Don’t hesitate to practice with questions like these regularly, and feel free to leave your comments for further engagement.

Moreover, for a broader understanding of how climate change impacts ecosystems, you might explore this climate change and its impact on ecosystems.