Summarize Written Text in PTE: Social Entrepreneurship in Developing Economies

The Summarize Written Text

What is Summarize Written Text?

In the PTE Summarize Written Text task, you are required to summarize a passage in one sentence. The key to success is to capture the essence of the passage while maintaining grammatical correctness, using appropriate vocabulary, and following the required structure.

One frequent subject in these tasks is “Social Entrepreneurship in Developing Economies,” which tends to appear due to its relevance in current global economic discourse. Social entrepreneurs are people who harness innovative solutions to solve social challenges, particularly in less developed regions.

Social entrepreneurs addressing challenges in developing economies

Sample Summarize Written Text Task: Social Entrepreneurship in Developing Economies

Let’s dive into a couple of sample questions that you can use to practice, complete with model responses for different band scores.

Task 1

Summarize the written text in one sentence within 5-75 words.

In many developing economies, social entrepreneurship has emerged as a powerful tool to combat various social issues including education, health, and rural development. Unlike traditional businesses, social enterprises prioritize the well-being of underserved communities by combining business approaches with a strong social mission. Governments in these countries have increasingly recognized the potential of social entrepreneurship to drive sustainable development and have begun facilitating these enterprises through policy measures. As a result, social entrepreneurs are becoming vital drivers of change, addressing systemic challenges where conventional approaches have failed.

Model Responses Based on Band Scores

Band 90 Response:

Social entrepreneurship in developing countries is becoming increasingly crucial as it integrates business innovation with social goals, driving sustainable change in sectors like education and health and gaining government support for its potential in tackling systemic issues.

• Content: Fully accurate, covering all key points including the role of social entrepreneurship in development, sectors impacted, and government involvement.
• Form: Correctly written in one sentence with less than 75 words.
• Grammar: No errors.
• Vocabulary: Uses high-level, appropriate vocabulary such as “integrates,” “innovation,” and “tackling systemic issues.”
• Spelling: No mistakes.

Band 70 Response:

Social entrepreneurs in developing economies are becoming important as they combine business ideas with social missions, helping in areas like health and education, supported by government policies.

• Content: Covers the main points but lacks depth in addressing the sustainable development aspect.
• Form: One sentence meets the word count requirement.
• Grammar: Mostly correct but slightly less complex sentence structure.
• Vocabulary: Adequate vocabulary but simpler terms like “helping” instead of “driving.”
• Spelling: No mistakes.

Band 60 Response:

In developing economies, social entrepreneurs are working in areas like health and education with help from the government.

• Content: Only partially explains the role, missing several key aspects such as the approach to systemic issues and the concept of sustainable development.
• Form: One sentence; however, it is overly simple.
• Grammar: Correct.
• Vocabulary: Limited; lacks sophistication and variety.
• Spelling: No mistakes.

Task 2

Summarize the written text in one sentence within 5-75 words.

Social entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between economic growth and social development in developing economies by addressing issues such as unemployment, lack of education, and poor healthcare. These enterprises differ from traditional charities and NGOs as they generate revenue to become self-sustaining while still focusing on social good. This hybrid business model maximizes social impact while ensuring long-term operational viability, making it a highly effective tool for fostering inclusive development.

Hybrid model of social entrepreneurship balancing revenue and social good

Model Responses Based on Band Scores

Band 90 Response:

Social entrepreneurship in developing economies bridges the gap between economic growth and social change by creating self-sustaining businesses that generate revenue and focus on issues like unemployment, education, and healthcare, making it a key driver for inclusive development.

• Content: Comprehensive and accurate, capturing all main ideas including the hybrid business model and its impact on social issues.
• Form: Perfectly adheres to the one-sentence format without being too verbose.
• Grammar: Perfect.
• Vocabulary: Uses high-level terms such as “self-sustaining,” “inclusive development,” and “social change.”
• Spelling: Flawless.

Band 70 Response:

Social entrepreneurship helps developing countries by targeting social issues like healthcare and unemployment through businesses that make money and focus on social development.

• Content: Good coverage but lacks the finer details, for instance, the long-term sustainability focus of social entrepreneurship.
• Form: Fulfilled.
• Grammar: Well-formed but less complex.
• Vocabulary: Simplified compared to a Band 90 response.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 60 Response:

Social entrepreneurs help developing countries tackle unemployment, health, and education problems while still making money.

• Content: Misses some important points such as the comparison to charities and the concept of sustainable businesses.
• Form: One sentence, meets word count requirements but overly simplistic.
• Grammar: Adequate but basic.
• Vocabulary: Limited word choice.
• Spelling: No mistakes.

Vocabulary & Grammar

Here are 10 advanced words from the sample tasks that will help you learn both vocabulary and correct use:

1. Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/ (adj)
   Definition: Able to be maintained or continued over time.
   Example: Social enterprises aim for sustainable growth by balancing profit with purpose.

2. Innovation /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃn/ (n)
   Definition: The introduction of new ideas, products, or methods.
   Example: Innovation is vital for addressing systemic social challenges in developing economies.

3. Revenue /ˈrɛvənjuː/ (n)
   Definition: Income generated from business activities.
   Example: Unlike traditional charities, social enterprises generate revenue to remain self-sustaining.

4. Inclusive /ɪnˈkluːsɪv/ (adj)
   Definition: Including all types of people, regardless of background.
   Example: Social entrepreneurs aim to foster inclusive development through employment generation.

5. Bridging /ˈbrɪdʒɪŋ/ (v)
   Definition: To make a connection or create a transition between two things.
   Example: Social enterprises bridge economic growth with social development in neglected regions.

6. Hybrid /ˈhaɪbrɪd/ (adj)
   Definition: Combining different elements.
   Example: The hybrid business model of social entrepreneurship maximizes both profit and societal impact.

7. Pivotal /ˈpɪvətl/ (adj)
   Definition: Of crucial importance in relation to something.
   Example: Social entrepreneurship plays a pivotal role in addressing pressing social issues.

8. Operational /ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənl/ (adj)
   Definition: Related to the way that an organization functions.
   Example: Maintaining operational viability is essential for growing social enterprises.

9. Underserved /ˌʌndəˈsɜːvd/ (adj)
   Definition: Not receiving adequate services or attention.
   Example: Social entrepreneurship focuses on underserved communities to create lasting change.

10. Systemic /sɪˈstɛmɪk/ (adj)
    Definition: Relating to or affecting the entire system, especially in a pervasive way.
    Example: Social entrepreneurs address systemic issues that traditional approaches often overlook.

Conclusion

Summarizing written texts in the PTE Speaking & Writing section demands careful attention to detail, grammar, and vocabulary. As we’ve seen in the practice examples, the topic of “Social Entrepreneurship in Developing Economies” offers a rich avenue for understanding both the task and the significant global role of social businesses. Through regular practice using sample topics like these, you’ll enhance your proficiency and be better prepared for the actual test.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or want to share your thoughts!