Summarize Written Text Practice for PTE Exam – Nuclear Energy Versus Renewable Sources

The PTE exam encompasses several challenging tasks in the Speaking & Writing section, one of which is Summarize Written Text. This task requires candidates to read a passage and summarize it in just one sentence, showcasing their skills in reading comprehension, writing coherency, and grammar accuracy.

One of the frequent themes in the Summarize Written Text section is the debate on “Nuclear Energy Versus Renewable Sources”. In today’s article, we will provide sample tasks related to this controversial topic to help you practice Summarize Written Text for the PTE exam.

Summarize Written Text Sample Task

Below is a sample Summarize Written Text task and a few responses evaluated according to PTE exam rubrics.

Task Instruction (Sample 1)

Summarize the following text in one sentence. Your response must be between 5 to 75 words.

“The debate over nuclear energy versus renewable energy sources has become a pressing issue in global environmental policies. Nuclear energy provides a steady and reliable output of electricity while producing relatively low carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels. However, renewable sources, including wind, solar, and hydropower, offer cleaner energy but come with limitations such as intermittency and lower efficiency rates. Both energy types have distinct advantages and disadvantages, prompting governments to evaluate the best balance between nuclear energy and renewable sources to achieve sustainable development goals.”

Sample Responses:

Band 90:

“While nuclear energy is reliable and produces low carbon emissions, renewable sources like wind and solar are cleaner but less reliable, prompting a need for governments to carefully balance both in their pursuit of sustainable development.”

• Content: Excellent summarization of the main ideas, including the comparison of nuclear and renewable energy and the need for balance.
• Form: Follows the one-sentence structure under 75 words.
• Grammar: Flawless in grammar usage.
• Vocabulary: Varied and appropriate use of terms like “reliable,” “carbon emissions,” “sustainable development.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 75:

“Although nuclear energy provides reliability and low emissions, governments must consider the cleaner yet less reliable options of renewable energy for sustainable development.”

• Content: Clearly addresses the main points but misses the comparison between nuclear energy and renewables.
• Form: Appropriate sentence length with clear structure.
• Grammar: Mostly accurate, though slightly less sophisticated than Band 90.
• Vocabulary: Adequate, but could include a wider range.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 65:

“Renewable energy is cleaner but less efficient than nuclear energy which is more reliable, and both are important for development.”

• Content: Summarizes the key points; however, lacks clarity and richness of the original passage.
• Form: Correct length but not as cohesive.
• Grammar: Some grammatical simplifications.
• Vocabulary: Limited and repetitive.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 50:

“Both nuclear and renewable energies are important but have pros and cons.”

• Content: Too general and lacks detailed comparison mentioned in the text.
• Form: Well within the word count, but lacks depth.
• Grammar: Simplistic; minimal grammatical structures.
• Vocabulary: Basic, not demonstrating strong control.
• Spelling: Correct.

Summarize Written Text Sample Task 2

Task Instruction (Sample 2)

Summarize the following text in one sentence. Your response must be between 5 to 75 words.

“As the global demand for electricity continues to rise, the choice between nuclear energy and renewable energy sources is increasingly critical. Nuclear power plants are efficient and can run continuously, but the disposal of radioactive waste poses significant environmental and safety risks. On the other hand, renewable energy sources like wind and solar are clean and sustainable in the long term, but their output is inconsistent and reliant on weather conditions, making them less suitable for meeting baseload electricity needs.”

Sample Responses:

Band 90:

“While nuclear energy is reliable but poses waste management challenges, renewable energy, despite being cleaner and sustainable, struggles with inconsistent output, necessitating a balanced approach to meeting electricity demand.”

• Content: Comprehensive, explaining both the advantages and disadvantages of both energy types with precision.
• Form: Smooth and fluent one-sentence structure.
• Grammar: Flawlessly structured.
• Vocabulary: Advanced, utilizing terms like “baseload electricity,” “reliable,” “inconsistent output.”
• Spelling: Perfect.

Band 75:

“Nuclear energy is more consistent but poses safety risks, while renewable energy is cleaner but unreliable, so both need to be considered to meet demand.”

• Content: Summarizes all points but less comprehensively.
• Form: One sentence, correct word count.
• Grammar: Clear, though not as complex.
• Vocabulary: Basic and clear.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 65:

“Nuclear energy is efficient for baseload electricity, but renewables are more sustainable though inconsistent.”

• Content: Covers the major ideas but lacks elaboration.
• Form: Fits within word limit but less fluid.
• Grammar: Simplified language, less complex constructions.
• Vocabulary: Moderate use of correct terminology.
• Spelling: Accurate.

Vocabulary and Grammar

To perform well in the Summarize Written Text task, knowing advanced vocabulary related to the topic is vital. Here are 10 challenging keywords from the samples:

1. Intermittency /ˌɪn.təˈmɪt.ən.si/ (n) – The quality of being irregular or not continuous.
   Example: “The intermittency of wind power makes it difficult to rely on as the sole energy source.”

2. Baseload /ˈbeɪs.loʊd/ (n) – The minimum level of consistent power required by a community.
   Example: “Nuclear power is crucial for meeting baseload electricity demands.”

3. Sustainable /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/ (adj) – Capable of being maintained over the long term.
   Example: “Solar energy is a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.”

4. Carbon emissions /ˈkɑː.bən ɪˈmɪʃ.ənz/ (n) – The release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
   Example: “Nuclear power produces fewer carbon emissions than coal.”

5. Efficiency /ɪˈfɪʃ.ən.si/ (n) – The ability to achieve maximum productivity with minimal wasted effort.
   Example: “Nuclear power plants are known for their high efficiency.”

6. Waste management /weɪst ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/ (n) – The process of controlling the safe disposal of waste material.
   Example: “The main concern with nuclear energy is radioactive waste management.”

7. Reliable /rɪˈlaɪ.ə.bəl/ (adj) – Consistently good in quality or performance.
   Example: “Nuclear energy is reliable in providing continuous electricity.”

8. Hydropower /ˈhaɪ.drəʊ.paʊər/ (n) – Power derived from the energy of moving water.
   Example: “Hydropower is one of the most established renewable energy sources.”

9. Sustainable development /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl dɪˈvel.əp.mənt/ (n) – Development that meets present needs without compromising future generations.
   Example: “Sustainable development often emphasizes renewable energy sources.”

10. Disposal /dɪˈspoʊ.zəl/ (n) – The action or process of getting rid of something.
    Example: “Disposal of radioactive waste is a significant drawback of nuclear energy.”

Conclusion

In this article, we explored Summarize Written Text tasks focusing on “Nuclear energy versus renewable sources,” a common topic in PTE exams. Practicing regularly with these sample tasks will prepare you to tackle real exam questions effectively, while paying attention to content, grammar, and vocabulary is key to achieving a high score. Feel free to share your responses or ask questions in the comment section to get personalized feedback.