The Summarize Written Text section of the PTE (Pearson Test of English) Speaking & Writing exam challenges candidates by making them condense complex information into a single sentence. This assessment requires strong comprehension and summarization skills, as well as attention to grammar, vocabulary, and coherence. One topic that has garnered increasing attention is the gig economy’s future, which reflects both current debates and shifting trends in the global job market.
In this article, we’ll present practice questions for the Summarize Written Text section, focused on the ongoing transformations in the gig economy. You’ll also find sample answers to assist in benchmarking your performance across different scoring bands. All examples are derived to resemble real-world questions from the PTE exam.
What is Summarize Written Text in PTE?
The Summarize Written Text task requires test-takers to read a passage (usually ranging from 150 to 400 words) and write a one-sentence summary that encompasses the main ideas of the text. The challenge is to convey these ideas concisely and accurately while adhering to correct grammatical structures. You will need to focus on content, form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling as these are crucial components in scoring.
Common topics in Summarize Written Text
With automation, freelancing, and the shift from traditional jobs, the future of the Gig Economy is one of the trending topics in PTE exams. This is increasingly relevant as the global workforce adapts to rapid technological and economic changes.
Practice Question 1: The Future of the Gig Economy
Instructions:
Read the passage carefully. Write a summary in one sentence. Your response should be between 5 and 75 words.
The gig economy is increasingly becoming a significant portion of the global workforce as workers, particularly millennials, opt for short-term projects and flexibility over traditional full-time employment. Many prefer freelance work due to the control it offers over working hours, location, and the variety of tasks. However, critics argue that despite its flexibility, the gig economy lacks job security, benefits, and career progression opportunities. Additionally, there is growing concern that the legal framework surrounding gig workers remains outdated, failing to protect their rights or ensure fair wages in many regions. Researchers suggest that while technology will likely fuel the growth of gig work, governments must act swiftly to update labor laws or risk exacerbating income inequality.
Band 90 Answer:
The gig economy offers flexible working arrangements but presents significant disadvantages related to job security, benefits, and income inequality, and if governments fail to address outdated labor laws, these issues will worsen as gig work expands with the help of technology.
- Content: Fully covers all the critical points, such as flexibility, job insecurity, technology’s role in growth, and the need for updated labor laws.
- Form: One sentence between 5-75 words.
- Grammar: Correct structure with complex clauses.
- Vocabulary: Use of diverse and relevant terms like “flexible,” “disadvantages,” “income inequality,” and “labor laws.”
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band 70 Answer:
The gig economy is growing due to its flexibility, but without updated laws, issues like job insecurity and income inequality will worsen.
- Content: Covers the main ideas but lacks a complete discussion of technology and the variety of work tasks.
- Form: One sentence within the word limit.
- Grammar: Grammatically correct sentence, but simpler structure.
- Vocabulary: Good use of keywords, though less diverse.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band 50 Answer:
The gig economy is good for flexibility but has problems with security and laws.
- Content: Too vague, important details such as benefits, income inequality, and technology are absent.
- Form: One sentence, but on the shorter side.
- Grammar: The structure is simplistic and lacks nuance.
- Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary lacking in variety.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Future gig economy trends global workforce
Practice Question 2: Digital Platforms and the Gig Economy
Instructions:
Read this passage and write a summary in one sentence. Your response should be between 5 and 75 words.
The rise of online platforms like Uber, Fiverr, and Upwork has revolutionized the job market by enabling individuals from around the world to offer their services without being tethered to a specific company. These digital platforms provide flexibility and opportunities for workers, but they also raise questions about the treatment and classification of gig labor. Many argue that these workers should be entitled to certain protections—such as benefits and minimum wage—similar to traditional employees, while others believe that the transient nature of freelance work and autonomy it provides do not align with traditional labor frameworks. Governments and policymakers are now grappling with how to regulate these platforms in a way that balances freedom with fairness.
Band 90 Answer:
Digital platforms like Uber and Upwork provide flexible working opportunities through gig labor, but governments must address concerns about protections and fair treatment, as current labor regulations may not be adaptable to the transient nature of freelance work.
- Content: Thoroughly represents all aspects of the platforms’ role, the flexibility afforded, worker rights, and the challenge of adapting laws.
- Form: One cohesive sentence encapsulating the key challenges and benefits.
- Grammar: Well-structured, using compound clauses.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate use of terms such as “flexible,” “protections,” “fair treatment,” and “transient.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 70 Answer:
Online platforms offer flexibility, but governments struggle to protect gig workers under current laws.
- Content: Covers the basic concepts but skips the discussion on autonomy vs. traditional labor frameworks.
- Form: Sentence is concise and falls within the word limit.
- Grammar: Grammatically accurate, though simpler in structure.
- Vocabulary: Adequate but less varied.
- Spelling: No mistakes.
Band 50 Answer:
Platforms like Uber give freedom, but laws don’t protect workers properly.
- Content: Misses key elements including policy struggles and fairness.
- Form: Short sentence with limited depth.
- Grammar: Basic sentence construction.
- Vocabulary: Very simple vocabulary without depth.
- Spelling: No problems detected.
Growing role of digital platforms in the gig economy
Key Vocabulary and Usage
Here are 10 challenging words from the provided texts with their pronunciations and meanings, followed by example sentences:
-
Freelance /ˈfriːˌlæns/: Working independently rather than being employed by a particular company.
Example: Many people choose to freelance in the gig economy for the flexibility it offers. -
Autonomy /ɔːˈtɒnəmi/: The right or condition of self-government, especially in decision-making.
Example: Gig workers often appreciate the autonomy they have over their work hours. -
Transient /ˈtrænziənt/: Lasting only for a short time; temporary.
Example: Many gig jobs are transient and don’t offer long-term job security. -
Protections /prəˈtɛkʃənz/: Laws or measures designed to keep someone or something safe.
Example: Workers demand more protections in the fast-growing freelance industry. -
Freelancer /ˈfriːˌlænsər/: A person who works freelance.
Example: Becoming a freelancer was the best decision she made for career flexibility. -
Inequality /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti/: The state of not being equal, especially in status and opportunities.
Example: Income inequality is a major concern within the gig economy. -
Regulation /ˌrɛgjʊˈleɪʃən/: A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.
Example: Many governments are considering new regulations to protect gig workers. -
Economic /ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/: Relating to economics or the economy.
Example: The transition to a gig economy has significant economic implications. -
Globalization /ˌgləʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃn/: The process by which businesses or other organizations develop international influence.
Example: Globalization has fueled the rise of the gig economy by connecting freelancers across borders. -
Framework /ˈfreɪmwɜːrk/: A basic structure underlying a system, concept, or text.
Example: A revised legal framework is necessary to address the evolving gig economy landscape.
Conclusion
Mastering the Summarize Written Text task in the PTE exam requires practice, especially with trending topics like the gig economy’s future, which are highly relevant due to dynamic changes in employment structures. This article has presented real-world practice questions and detailed responses that not only help you with comprehension but also guide your writing improvement. By frequently practicing with accurate industry-related topics, you can significantly enhance your summarization abilities.
Feel free to share your answers or any inquiries in the comments. Happy practicing!
