Summarize Written Text in PTE: Ocean Exploration and its Scientific Value

The Summarize Written Text section of the PTE Academic Speaking and Writing test challenges candidates to read a passage and summarize it in one sentence. The summarized sentence must capture the main idea and critical details of the text without going over 75 words. One of the common themes in recent PTE exams is ocean exploration and its scientific value—a topical and highly relevant subject given the current focus on environmental conservation and scientific advancements.

In this guide, we will provide a model Summarize Written Text exercise based on the theme of Ocean Exploration and its Scientific Value, followed by sample answers for each band score, and a comprehensive analysis of these responses. This will help you develop a clear idea of what is expected in this task. Let’s get started.

Understanding Ocean Exploration and its Scientific Significance (Background)

Ocean exploration is vital due to the Earth’s oceans covering 71% of the planet’s surface. Despite this fact, only a small fraction of the ocean has been explored and mapped. Investigating these vast bodies of water holds the key to understanding the earth’s climate, discovering new species, and unlocking potentials for medical breakthroughs. The scientific value of ocean exploration lies not only in discovering biodiversity but also in gaining critical data to combat climate change and enhance sustainability efforts.

The importance of ocean exploration to Earth's climate, biodiversity, and sustainability efforts

Summarize Written Text: Ocean Exploration Passage (Sample Test Prompt)

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

Ocean exploration is essential in understanding various aspects of the Earth. With over 80% of the ocean remaining unexplored, we continue to discover new species, minerals, and resources that could serve vital roles for humankind. For example, deep-sea creatures have led to breakthroughs in medical research, while hydrothermal vent systems can provide clues about how Earth’s earliest life forms evolved. Fragmented and incomplete research on climate change can also be enhanced through ocean exploration, as the ocean acts as the planet’s largest carbon sink, absorbing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and regulating temperatures. Overall, exploring the ocean not only deepens our understanding of Earth’s systems but also holds potential for new discoveries that extend far beyond the sea.

Summarize the passage in one sentence.

Sample Responses

Band 90 Response (High-Scoring Example)

Ocean exploration is integral to discovering new marine species used in medical research, understanding Earth’s climate regulation via carbon sinks, and learning about the evolution of early life through the study of hydrothermal vents, contributing significantly to scientific knowledge for future human benefit.

Analysis:

• Content: The response captures all critical points related to species discovery, medical research, climate regulation, and early life evolution. Nothing substantial has been left out.
• Form: The response follows the word count restriction, being concise but informative.
• Grammar: There are no grammatical errors, and sentence structure is complex and effective.
• Vocabulary: Good range of academic vocabulary such as “integral,” “regulation,” and “hydrothermal vents.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 79 Response

Exploring the oceans is vital for discovering resources useful in medical research, learning about early lifeforms, and gaining insights into how the ocean regulates the Earth’s climate.

Analysis:

• Content: While the main points are covered—such as medical research, early life forms, and climate regulation—there is less detail than in the higher band response, particularly about carbon sinks and the scientific potential.
• Form: The response falls within word limits.
• Grammar: The grammar is clear and correct, though simpler in structure compared to a 90 Band.
• Vocabulary: The vocabulary is slightly less complex, but still appropriate (“vital,” “resources”).
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 65 Response

Ocean exploration helps us discover new species useful in medical research and understand the Earth’s climate better.

Analysis:

• Content: The response is brief and only touches on two primary points of ocean exploration—medical research and climate understanding—leaving out significant information like early life evolution and the specific details of how the ocean regulates climate.
• Form: Although under the word limit, the response is lacking in depth.
• Grammar: The grammar is fine but less complex; simple sentences are used.
• Vocabulary: Simple vocabulary with terms such as “helps,” and “better” rather than more advanced or specific language.
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 50 Response

Ocean exploration is important to find more about the climate and new animals.

Analysis:

• Content: This response is vague and fails to cover most of the important details, including medical research and early lifeforms.
• Form: It is underdeveloped and lacks clarity, without offering much detail.
• Grammar: Grammar is too simple, and there are no connecting words indicating extended understanding.
• Vocabulary: The vocabulary is very basic (e.g., “animals,” “important”).
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Vocabulary and Grammar List

Here are 10 key vocabulary words from the passage and their meanings, along with examples:

1. Hydrothermal vents (/ˌhaɪdroʊˈθɜːrməl vɛnts/): Openings in the sea floor that emit hot, mineral-rich water.
   Example: Hydrothermal vents provide an environment for unique and adapted marine organisms.

2. Carbon sink (/ˈkɑːrbən sɪŋk/): A natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
   Example: Oceans play a role as the planet’s largest carbon sink, reducing greenhouse gases.

3. Biodiversity (/ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɜːrsəti/): The variety of life in an ecosystem.
   Example: Ocean exploration helps us better understand marine biodiversity and ecosystems.

4. Regulation (/ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən/): Control or maintenance of something within a system.
   Example: The ocean plays a crucial role in climate regulation by absorbing excess heat and carbon dioxide.

5. Species (/ˈspiːʃiːz/): Groups of living organisms capable of interbreeding.
   Example: New species of fish were discovered near the ocean’s deep trenches.

6. Breakthrough (/ˈbreɪkθruː/): An important or significant discovery or development.
   Example: Medical breakthroughs have been achieved through studying substances found in marine animals.

7. Ecosystem (/ˈiːkoʊsɪstəm/): A biological community of interacting organisms and their environment.
   Example: Disruption to the marine ecosystem can have global environmental consequences.

8. Fragmented (/ˈfræɡmɛntɪd/): Incomplete or broken into divisions.
   Example: Fragmented research on the ocean has left gaps in our understanding of marine ecosystems.

9. Sustainability (/səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/): The capacity to endure in a relatively prolonged way.
   Example: Ocean exploration is crucial for understanding sustainability in Earth’s natural systems.

10. Carbon dioxide (/ˌkɑːrbən daɪˈɒksaɪd/): A gas absorbed by oceans and used by plants for photosynthesis.
    Example: The ocean’s absorption of carbon dioxide helps mitigate the effects of global warming.

Conclusion

In summary, ocean exploration plays a pivotal role in enhancing our understanding of Earth’s systems and holds immense scientific value, particularly concerning climate change, biodiversity, and evolutionary research. By practicing Summarize Written Text passages with themes such as Ocean exploration and its scientific value, you can improve both your reading comprehension and summarization skills for the PTE exam.

Feel free to leave your comments or any questions below if you’d like further clarification on this topic.