Summarize Written Text Practice in PTE Speaking & Writing: Alternative Medicine in Modern Healthcare

Summarize Written Text Example 1: The Role of Alternative Medicine in Modern Healthcare

Read the following passage and summarize it in one sentence in no more than 75 words.

Alternative medicine refers to healing practices that do not fall under the realm of conventional medical practices. These may include acupuncture, herbal remedies, and chiropractic treatments, which have gained increasing acceptance within modern healthcare systems. While conventional medicines are based on research, alternative medicine often stems from cultural or traditional practices. Despite a lack of standardization and possible lack of research support, many patients find relief through these modalities, particularly for chronic conditions.

Sample Answers based on Band Scores

Band 65
Many patients find alternative medicine, which includes treatments like herbal remedies and acupuncture, to be effective for chronic conditions despite a lack of standard research support.

• Content: Captures the contrast between alternative and conventional medicine.
• Form: Correct word count (27 words).
• Grammar: Simple, correct sentence structure.
• Vocabulary: Competent use of “relief,” “modalities,” and “chronic conditions.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 79+
Although largely unstandardized and sometimes lacking in rigorous research, alternative medicine—utilized for chronic ailments such as acupuncture and herbal remedies—continues to gain traction in modern healthcare systems.

• Content: Fully captures all elements, including the rise of alternative medicine and its varied components.
• Form: The sentence is concise (33 words) and well-constructed.
• Grammar: Complex grammar used correctly with conditional phrases.
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated terms like “unstandardized,” “rigorous research,” and “traction.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Summarize Written Text Example 2: Holistic Treatments Versus Conventional Medicine

Read the following passage and provide a summary in no more than one sentence. The summary should include all key points and be no more than 75 words.

Holistic medicine is a form of healing that focuses on treating the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—rather than just the symptoms of a disease. Proponents of holistic practices believe that physical ailments are interrelated with emotional, mental, and spiritual components. Unlike conventional medicine, which often focuses on treating specific symptoms through medication or surgery, holistic medicine emphasizes natural healing methods and lifestyle changes to promote overall well-being.

Sample Answers based on Band Scores

Band 65
Holistic medicine treats the whole person, not just the disease symptoms, through natural and lifestyle adjustments, differing from conventional medicine’s symptom-focused approach.

• Content: Covers both holistic and conventional medicine but misses emotional, mental, and spiritual components.
• Form: Correct word count (22 words).
• Grammar: Clear, but simple structure.
• Vocabulary: Precise vocabulary with “whole person,” “disease symptoms.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 79+
Holistic medicine, emphasizing a natural, lifestyle-based approach to treating the entire person’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health, contrasts with conventional methods that primarily target symptoms through medical interventions.

• Content: Captures all key points, including the aspects of treating mind, body, and spirit.
• Form: Well-constructed and concise (31 words).
• Grammar: Advanced sentence structure and appropriate use of contrasts.
• Vocabulary: Uses higher-level words like “interventions,” “entire person,” and “lifestyle-based.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Vocabulary for Practicing Summarize Written Text

To excel at these tasks, it’s essential to bolster your vocabulary. Here are 10 challenging words from our passages:

1. Modalities /məʊˈdælɪtiːz/ – specific methods used in treatment.
   Example: Alternative modalities like acupuncture help treat various conditions.

2. Conventional /kənˈvɛnʃənəl/ – commonly accepted practices or standards.
   Example: Conventional treatments focus largely on symptom relief.

3. Symptom-focused /ˈsɪmptəm ˈfəʊkəst/ – concentrating on managing individual symptoms.
   Example: Symptom-focused medicine might not address the root cause.

4. Holistic /həʊˈlɪstɪk/ – concerning whole systems, rather than just parts.
   Example: Holistic medicine goes beyond the physical symptoms to treat overall health.

5. Traction /ˈtrækʃn/ – gaining widespread acceptance or support.
   Example: Alternative medicine is gaining traction in healthcare systems globally.

6. Unstandardized /ʌnˈstændədʌɪzd/ – not following commonly accepted rules or standards.
   Example: Many alternative remedies remain unstandardized in clinical trials.

7. Rigorous /ˈrɪɡərəs/ – extremely thorough or accurate.
   Example: Conventional medicine is subject to rigorous scientific trials.

8. Chronic /ˈkrɒnɪk/ – persisting for a long time or constantly recurring.
   Example: Acupuncture is often used for managing chronic pain.

9. Proponent /prəˈpəʊnənt/ – someone who advocates a theory or policy.
   Example: Proponents of holistic medicine argue it addresses the root causes of illness.

10. Interrelated /ɪntərɪˈleɪtɪd/ – related or connected to one another.
    Example: Holistic approaches assume physical and emotional health are interrelated.

Conclusion

Summarize Written Text questions in the PTE speaking and writing sections often feature topics like “Alternative Medicine in Modern Healthcare.” These exercises help candidates practice their ability to condense information from complex passages into one coherent sentence. As demonstrated in the exercises above, improving content, form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling can drastically improve your score in the PTE exam. Keep practicing and feel free to leave any comments or questions below to leverage collective learning!