Summarize Written Text in PTE: Urbanization’s Challenges and Solutions

Urbanization is a common topic that appears in the PTE Summarize Written Text section, which is a crucial part of the Speaking & Writing segment. In this task, test takers are required to read a passage and condense it into one sentence, expressing the key ideas in a concise manner. This exercise tests comprehension, summarization skills, and ability to convey meaning efficiently. Below, we offer a sample Summarize Written Text question on the topic of “Urbanization’s Challenges and Solutions,” along with model answers for different band scores.

Urbanization and Its Challenges in the PTE Summarize Written Text Task

Urbanization is one of the prevalent topics in the Summarize Written Text task, as it covers global trends affecting various aspects of economics, society, and the environment. Urban growth brings several major challenges, including infrastructure strain, environmental degradation, and social inequality. However, solutions are actively being proposed by governments and urban planners worldwide. Practice is essential for mastering this task in PTE.

Below, we provide a sample question related to urbanization along with detailed answers corresponding to different proficiency levels.

Sample Summarize Written Text Question

Read the passage below and summarize it into one sentence, writing 5 to 75 words. Make sure your summary captures the main point of the passage and is grammatically correct.

Urbanization is rapidly expanding across the globe, leading to various economic and social changes. While it has resulted in economic growth and employment opportunities, particularly in developing nations, it has also led to several pressing challenges. Overcrowding in cities has strained infrastructure, causing traffic congestion, inadequate housing, and an increase in pollution levels. In addition, social inequalities have become more pronounced as wealth has primarily accrued to those in urban hubs, leaving those in rural areas behind. To combat these issues, governments and urban planners are focusing on sustainable development, affordable housing projects, and public transportation improvements to create more equitable and livable cities.

Now summarize the passage above in one sentence.

Model Answers for Different Band Scores

High Band (79+ Score)

Urbanization has stimulated economic growth and job creation but has also led to overcrowding, infrastructure stress, environmental pollution, and social inequality, which are being addressed through sustainable development, housing projects, and improved public transportation.

• Content: Comprehensive coverage of the key ideas. Both the benefits and negative consequences of urbanization are appropriately mentioned, along with proposed solutions.
• Form: Fulfills the word count requirement (41 words).
• Grammar: Excellent use of complex sentence structures with proper punctuation.
• Vocabulary: Words like “stimulated,” “overcrowding,” “housing projects,” and “sustainable development” reflect a sophisticated understanding of vocabulary.
• Spelling: No errors.

Mid Band (65-78 Score)

Urbanization has created economic growth and jobs but has also caused problems like overcrowding, pollution, and higher inequality, which are being tackled by sustainable development, better housing, and improved public transport.

• Content: Solid understanding of the passage, though slightly simplified compared to the high band answer. All key points are present.
• Form: 36 words, meeting the word limit requirements.
• Grammar: Correct sentence structure, though slightly less complex than the high band answer.
• Vocabulary: Adequate vocabulary with words like “tackled” and “public transport,” but less complexity.
• Spelling: No errors.

Low Band (50-64 Score)

Urbanization has led to economic growth but also caused issues such as pollution, overcrowded cities, and inequality, and governments are trying to solve this with better houses, sustainability, and public transportation.

• Content: Covers most of the key ideas, but solutions are less clearly stated.
• Form: 36 words, meets the word count requirement.
• Grammar: Basic sentence structure with simple linking words like “and” instead of more advanced transitions.
• Vocabulary: Simplified vocabulary with words like “better houses” instead of “affordable housing.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Low Band (Below 50 Score)

Urbanization has caused growth and jobs but also pollution and bad living conditions, and planners are trying to fix this with better transport and housing.

• Content: Main points are evident, but there are missing details, e.g., no mention of social inequality.
• Form: 27 words, at the low end of the word count requirement.
• Grammar: Several omissions in sentence structure, leading to an overly simplistic summary.
• Vocabulary: Repetition of basic words like “better” and omission of more specific terms like “sustainable.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Vocabulary and Grammar Breakdown

Here’s a list of 10 advanced vocabulary words from the passage or task with phonetic transcription, definition, and usage.

1. Urbanization /ˌɜːrbəˌnɪˈzeɪʃən/ – The growth of cities and the movement of people into urban areas.
   Example: Urbanization frequently leads to increased demand for housing.

2. Overcrowding /ˌoʊvərˈkraʊdɪŋ/ – The situation where too many people live or work in too small a space.
   Example: Overcrowding is a major issue in many developing cities across the world.

3. Infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌkʧər/ – The fundamental shared facilities, systems, or services in an area, such as roads or energy.
   Example: Urban infrastructure can struggle to meet the needs of a rapidly growing population.

4. Pollution /pəˈluːʃən/ – The introduction of harmful substances into the environment.
   Example: Air pollution often increases with the growth of urban industries.

5. Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/ – Capable of being maintained or continued without causing harm to the environment.
   Example: Many cities aim to adopt sustainable development practices to reduce their carbon footprint.

6. Inequality /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti/ – The condition where people do not have equal opportunities or resources.
   Example: Economic inequality has widened in many countries due to rapid urbanization.

7. Equitable /ˈɛkwɪtəbl/ – Fair and impartial.
   Example: Planners aim to ensure that urban growth is equitable and benefits all residents.

8. Livable /ˈlɪvəbəl/ – Suitable for people to live in.
   Example: The ultimate goal of urban planning is to create livable cities that cater to all residents.

9. Affordable /əˈfɔːdəbəl/ – Inexpensive; within reach of a specific income range.
   Example: Affordable housing is a key solution to the rising cost of living in cities.

10. Development /dɪˈvɛləpmənt/ – The process of growing, improving, or creating new opportunities.
    Example: Urban development must consider environmental and social impacts to be sustainable.

Conclusion

In this practice task for Summarize Written Text in PTE, we explored the challenges and solutions brought by urbanization. This topic is common in the PTE exam, and working through such passages can significantly improve your summarization skills. Understanding content, grammar, style, and form is critical to scoring well on this task. For those preparing for the PTE exam, regular practice and reflection on model answers can provide insight into improving clarity, structure, and fluency in writing. Feel free to share your answers or ask questions in the comments for additional feedback!