In the PTE Speaking & Writing section, one of the most challenging tasks is Summarize Written Text. This task requires test-takers to condense a given passage into a single sentence, focusing on key information and ensuring proper sentence structure. Common topics in this task often include essential discussions on global concerns such as sustainable agriculture and food security—two frequently examined themes due to their importance in today’s world.
In this article, we will create and explore several Summarize Written Text practice sets related to Sustainable Agriculture And Food Security, allowing you to enhance your skills and get familiar with similar topics in the actual PTE exam. Throughout the article, you’ll also get access to key insights to improve your performance based on real PTE marking criteria, such as content, form, grammar, and vocabulary.
Don’t forget that food sovereignty and local agriculture plays a pivotal role in discussions surrounding food security, and it’s critical to understand global efforts for a secure food supply.
Common PTE Task: Summarize Written Text
The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE test evaluates several skills, including reading comprehension, grammar, and writing proficiency. You must summarize the passage into a singular sentence with a word count limit of 5 to 75 words. Primarily, you must focus on including the key ideas while maintaining correct grammar and sentence structure. Let’s dive into sustainable agriculture and food security-related topics!
Task 1: Summarize Written Text Example
Agriculture has always been a critical part of human civilization, but the growing global population and climate crises have necessitated shifts towards environmentally friendly practices to ensure long-term productivity. Sustainable agriculture focuses on balancing productivity with ecological conservation to avoid depleting natural resources. Techniques such as crop rotation, organic farming, and agroforestry play pivotal roles in reducing soil degradation, conserving water, and fostering biodiversity. Additionally, promoting local food systems and investing in urban farming initiatives can enhance global food security while minimizing the carbon footprint of food production and distribution processes.
Write a summary of the passage in one sentence.
Answers and Analysis
Band 79+ Response:
The passage argues that sustainable agriculture practices such as crop rotation, organic farming, and urban farming contribute to ecological conservation and global food security by reducing resource depletion and minimizing the environmental impact of food production.
Analysis:
- Content: This answer incorporates most major points from the text, including methods (crop rotation, organic farming), ecological benefits, and the contribution to food security.
- Form: The sentence is well-structured and within the word count limit.
- Grammar: The sentence is grammatically correct with proper sentence linkage.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate and varied terminology is used—conservation, minimizing impact, food security.
Band 65-78 Response:
Sustainable agriculture methods help conserve resources and improve food security by using crop rotation, organic farming, and supporting local systems.
Analysis:
- Content: Covers the key points but omits the specific benefits of urban farming and the environmental impact of distribution processes.
- Form: The word count is valid, but the structure could be more sophisticated.
- Grammar: Mostly accurate with slight simplifications in sentence construction.
- Vocabulary: Substantial usage of terms relevant to the subject, though without the complexity found in higher band responses.
Band 50-65 Response:
Sustainable agriculture is about ecological conservation, including crop rotation and organic farming, to maintain food security.
Analysis:
- Content: Misses crucial details such as the mention of urban farming and carbon footprint.
- Form: The summary is concise, but it oversimplifies the original text.
- Grammar: Adequate but lacks complexity.
- Vocabulary: Basic and repetitive vocabulary.
Task 2: Summarize Written Text Example
Food security, the capacity to ensure that people have consistent access to safe and nutritious food, is a growing global challenge as climate change exacerbates water scarcity. Agriculture, which already consumes 70% of the world’s freshwater resources, faces increasing pressure to adopt water-efficient techniques. Promoting drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and crop varieties resistant to drought are among the key solutions proposed. Implementing these practices, particularly in regions prone to water scarcity, remains a vital step in securing the global food supply.
Write a summary of the passage in one sentence.
Answers and Analysis
Band 79+ Response:
The passage outlines that facing the challenges of growing food insecurity due to climate change and water scarcity, agriculture must adopt water-efficient practices, namely drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and drought-resistant crops, to sustain global food stability.
Analysis:
- Content: All important ideas are present: climate impact, water scarcity, and sustainable agriculture practices.
- Form: The sentence is grammatically well-formed and falls within the word limit.
- Grammar: Accurate and smooth usage of linking phrases.
- Vocabulary: Advanced use of relevant terms—water-efficient practices, drip irrigation, food stability.
Band 65-78 Response:
Water-efficient farming methods such as drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants are essential for ensuring food security in the face of growing water scarcity due to climate change.
Analysis:
- Content: Lacks coverage of some details, such as specific regions and rainwater harvesting.
- Form: Well-structured sentence despite slightly missing important details.
- Grammar: Correct grammar with punctual sentence construction.
- Vocabulary: Effective but lacks the depth of higher bands.
Band 50-65 Response:
Climate change increases water scarcity, and solutions like drip irrigation and drought-resistant plants are needed for food security.
Analysis:
- Content: Too general and short, missing many details from the original passage.
- Form: Brief and straightforward but too simple for higher scores.
- Grammar: Basic grammar used correctly.
- Vocabulary: Limited vocabulary with no variation or depth.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
Here are some important vocabularies from the examples above, which will not only help in tackling the Summarize Written Text task but also boost your overall PTE performance:
| Word/Phrase | Phonetics | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainability | /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ | The ability to maintain balance in a system or resource use | Sustainable agriculture ensures the long-term productivity. |
| Agroforestry | /ˌæɡrəʊˈfɒrɪstri/ | The practice of growing crops and trees together | Agroforestry benefits the ecosystem by increasing biodiversity. |
| Food security | /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərəti/ | Ensuring access to enough safe and nutritious food | Food security is essential for reducing poverty globally. |
| Drip irrigation | /drɪp ˌɪrɪˈɡeɪʃən/ | A method of watering plants with minimal waste | Drip irrigation conserves water in arid regions. |
| Carbon footprint | /ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ | The environmental impact of an individual’s or entity’s actions | Reducing carbon footprints is vital for climate action. |
| Drought-resistant | /draʊt rɪˈzɪstənt/ | Plants that need little water to grow | Drought-resistant crops are essential for dry climates. |
| Biodiversity | /ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsɪti/ | The variety of life in a particular ecosystem | Agroforestry promotes biodiversity conservation. |
| Water scarcity | /ˈwɔːtə ˈskeəsɪti/ | A significant lack of fresh water resources | Water scarcity impacts agricultural production globally. |
| Organic farming | /ɔːˈgænɪk ˈfɑːmɪŋ/ | Farming without the use of synthetic chemicals | Organic farming reduces pollution from pesticides. |
| Rainwater harvesting | /ˈreɪnwɔːtə ˈhɑːvɪstɪŋ/ | Collecting and storing rain to use in agriculture | Rainwater harvesting is effective in regions with low rainfall. |
Conclusion
Summarizing is a skill that demands careful reading, comprehension, and advanced writing abilities. The examples and vocabulary provided above are perfect for practicing the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam, especially with topics like sustainable agriculture and food security, which are increasingly common in this exam section.
For more comprehensive preparation, consider exploring other allied topics, such as urban farming and food sustainability or discovering solutions to water scarcity in global agriculture.
