Summarize Written Text for PTE: Remote Learning and Educational Equity

What is Summarize Written Text?

In the PTE Summarize Written Text task, you’ll encounter a passage of approximately 150-300 words. Your goal is to create a one-sentence summary between 5-75 words that captures the key ideas. You have 10 minutes to produce your response. The sentence must be grammatically correct and represent the passage’s main points clearly and concisely.

Let’s dive into the key aspects of practice questions related to “Remote Learning and Educational Equity.”

Summarize Written Text Practice Tasks

1. Model Practice Task 1

Prompt: Remote Learning and Digital Divide

The shift to remote learning, while necessary due to the global pandemic, has exacerbated existing educational inequities. Many students across disadvantaged backgrounds lack access to necessary technology, including high-speed internet and functional devices, which widens the gap in learning outcomes. In developed nations, this has led to calls for significant investment in digital infrastructures and devices to ensure that all students can participate effectively in online education. However, such resources remain a distant dream for students in underserved areas of developing countries, where governmental support is often insufficient and family income levels are too low to afford such technologies. This situation highlights the urgent need to address the “digital divide” as a critical factor in maintaining educational equity.

Your task: Summarize the text in one sentence.

Sample Answers

Band 79+ Response:
Remote learning has exacerbated educational inequalities, especially for disadvantaged students in both developed and developing countries, due to their lack of access to the necessary technology and digital infrastructure.

• Content: Excellent understanding of the main point (technological disparities affecting remote learning for disadvantaged students).
• Form: The sentence is well-structured and within the word limit (34 words).
• Grammar: Correct use of complex structures.
• Vocabulary: Appropriate and precise use of terms like “exacerbated,” “disadvantaged,” and “digital infrastructure.”
• Spelling: Error-free spelling.

Band 65 Response:
The move to remote learning has increased inequity for students without technology like internet access and devices, particularly in poorer areas.

• Content: Covers most of the main ideas but does not fully explore the global dimension or the long-term implications.
• Form: Correct, with 24 words.
• Grammar: Basic structure, no significant errors.
• Vocabulary: Simple vocabulary that gets the point across (“increased inequity” is somewhat generic).
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 50 Response:
Remote learning makes it harder for poor students without computers or the internet.

• Content: The main point about technological barriers is touched upon but lacks depth (misses references to developed/developing countries or the widening gap).
• Form: Too short, underdeveloped (13 words).
• Grammar: Correct, though very simple.
• Vocabulary: Very basic.
• Spelling: No issues here.

2. Model Practice Task 2

Prompt: Educational Equity and Remote Teaching Methods

Although remote learning offers opportunities for flexible education, it also raises concerns about equal access and educational outcomes. Higher education institutions have responded with hybrid learning models, attempting to combine the best elements of online and in-person teaching. However, these solutions remain inaccessible to students who cannot afford the required tools or have unreliable internet access. Bridging this gap involves not only distributing devices but also building the necessary network infrastructure and training educators to deliver effective online content, ensuring that all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background, receive a fair chance to succeed in their educational journey.

Your task: Summarize the text in one sentence.

Sample Answers

Band 79+ Response:
While hybrid learning offers flexibility, inequality persists as many students lack the technology, internet access, and educator support needed to benefit from remote education, highlighting the importance of improving both infrastructure and teacher training.

• Content: Comprehensive summarization of the passage.
• Form: Correct length (37 words).
• Grammar: Advanced sentence structure with no errors.
• Vocabulary: Precise use of “hybrid learning,” “inequality persists,” and “infrastructure.”
• Spelling: Perfect spelling.

Band 65 Response:
Even though remote education can be flexible, students who lack access to technology and internet are left behind.

• Content: Captures most of the key points but omits the involvement of educators and infrastructure improvements.
• Form: Adequate length (21 words).
• Grammar: Accurate, yet simple.
• Vocabulary: Limited; “left behind” is vague.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 50 Response:
Remote learning is unfair to students without devices or internet connection.

• Content: Too simplistic and fails to mention important elements such as hybrid models and educator support.
• Form: Short and overly basic (12 words).
• Grammar: Grammatically correct but unsophisticated.
• Vocabulary: Very basic.
• Spelling: No spelling mistakes.

Remote learning and the educational divide caused by lack of technology

Key Vocabulary for Remote Learning and Educational Equity

1. Exacerbate (/ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/): To make a problem worse.

   • Example: The pandemic exacerbated the already existing educational disparities.

2. Digital Divide (/ˈdɪʤɪtl dɪˈvaɪd/): The gap between those who have access to digital technologies and those who do not.

   • Example: The digital divide is most apparent in rural areas with poor internet infrastructure.

3. Equity (/ˈɛkwɪti/): Fairness or justice in the way people are treated.

   • Example: Educational equity ensures that every child gets the support they need.

4. Infrastructure (/ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧər/): The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society.

   • Example: The government is investing in infrastructure to support remote learning.

5. Hybrid Learning (/ˈhaɪbrɪd/): A mix of traditional in-person and online education.

   • Example: Many universities have adopted hybrid learning models.

6. Socioeconomic (/ˌsoʊsiˌoʊˌɛkəˈnɑmɪk/): Relating to or concerned with the interaction of social and economic factors.

   • Example: The socioeconomic status of students often determines their access to learning resources.

7. Underserved (/ˌʌndərˈsɜrvd/): Insufficiently served or provided for, especially in terms of education or healthcare.

   • Example: Underserved communities often struggle with poor internet connections.

8. Afford (/əˈfɔrd/): To be able to pay for something.

   • Example: Many families cannot afford the technologies required for remote learning.

9. Inclusive (/ɪnˈkluːsɪv/): Open to everyone and not limited to certain people.

   • Example: Policies need to be more inclusive to cater to disadvantaged groups.

10. Accessibility (/ɪkˌsɛsɪˈbɪlɪti/): The quality of being easy to access or use.

    • Example: Enhancing internet accessibility can reduce educational inequities.

Conclusion

The Summarize Written Text tasks in the PTE exam often tackle relevant social issues like “Remote Learning and Educational Equity.” As represented in the examples above, being able to identify, condense, and articulate the core message of a passage can significantly boost your score. This topic is timely and might appear on your exam due to its global importance. Keep practicing, leave a comment below if you have any questions, and continue honing your summarization skills!