In the PTE exam, the Summarize Written Text task in the Speaking & Writing section is crucial. In this task, candidates read a 150-400 word passage and summarize the main points in one sentence using proper grammar, vocabulary, and structure. One common topic that appears in this section is the Impacts Of Climate Refugees, a globally pressing issue. Understanding key details regarding the displacement of individuals due to climate change provides not only strong content for PTE but also enhances your awareness of global concerns.
In this post, we will provide several Summarize Written Text sample tasks based on the topic Impacts of Climate Refugees. These will help you practice effectively for the exam. Accompanying each task is a breakdown of answers showcasing different levels (from low to high) to help you understand the assessment criteria.
Sample Task: Impacts of Climate Refugees
Task 1:
Reading Time: 10 minutes
Time to write your response: 10 minutes
Reading Passage
“Climate change is causing severe disruptions across the globe, leading to the emergence of climate refugees. These individuals are forced to leave their homes due to rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation. In particular, coastal communities are vulnerable, as many are located in low-lying areas where flooding poses a continual threat. Besides environmental risks, displaced populations often face significant economic and social challenges, such as job loss, housing shortages, and limited access to essential services. The influx of climate refugees into safer regions may foster political tensions, as governments struggle to accommodate the growing number of displaced people. The problem is exacerbated in developing countries, where there are fewer resources to cope with large-scale environmental crises. Despite efforts to mitigate the causes of climate-related displacement, such as international climate agreements, many argue that these initiatives are insufficient to address the root of the problem.”
Summarize the text in one sentence.
Model Answers
Band 50-60:
“Climate refugees have to leave their homes because of floods and other environmental problems caused by climate change.”
- Content: Captures the broad idea but lacks elaboration about impacts, economic challenges, or mitigation efforts.
- Form: Sentence structure is simple and lacks complexity.
- Grammar: Basic grammar is correct, but limited variety.
- Vocabulary: Very basic lexical range.
- Spelling: Correct, no errors present.
Band 65-75:
“Climate change has led to environmental degradations such as rising sea levels and extreme weather, forcing many to become climate refugees, which results in challenges like job loss and the burden on governments to offer support.”
- Content: Covers the broader picture with specific details (like sea levels and weather events) and mentions the economic impact and burden on governments.
- Form: Sentence is longer and more complex.
- Grammar: Good use of subordinate clauses, though could still be more refined.
- Vocabulary: Adequate range (e.g., “environmental degradations,” “burden”), though still could be improved.
- Spelling: No errors noted, good spelling practices.
Band 80-90:
“Climate change is triggering a mass displacement of people, particularly from coastal regions, due to rising sea levels and extreme weather events, which not only exacerbates socioeconomic challenges like job loss and housing shortages but also strains governments’ resources, especially in developing countries, while international efforts remain insufficient.”
- Content: Comprehensive, covers all key points – environmental factors, economic issues, political strain, and international efforts.
- Form: Well-structured with appropriate transitions between ideas.
- Grammar: Uses advanced grammatical structures, such as relative clauses and conditionals.
- Vocabulary: Excellent range of vocabulary, (“displacement,” “socioeconomic,” “insufficient”) with varied expression.
- Spelling: Impeccable, no mistakes.
Vocabulary & Grammar Breakdown
Here are 10 useful words and phrases from the task, along with their pronunciations and definitions to enhance your practice:
| Word/Phrase | Pronunciation | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate refugee | /ˈklaɪmət ˈrɛfjudʒiː/ | A person forced to leave their home due to the impact of climate change | The increasing number of climate refugees is alarming. |
| Displacement | /dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ | The forced movement of people from their locality | War and conflict led to the displacement of millions. |
| Socioeconomic | /ˌsoʊsiˌoʊɛkəˈnɑmɪk/ | Related to both social and economic factors | Socioeconomic disparities are more evident after natural disasters. |
| Degradation | /ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən/ | The process of damaging something or its condition deteriorating | Environmental degradation is one outcome of unsustainable farming. |
| Rising sea levels | /ˈraɪzɪŋ si ˈlɛvəlz/ | Increase in the average level of the ocean’s surface water | Coastal cities are at greater risk due to rising sea levels. |
| Extreme weather | /ɪkˈstriːm ˈwɛðər/ | Severe or unexpected weather conditions | Extreme weather events like hurricanes have devastated many areas. |
| Exacerbate | /ɪɡˈzæsərˌbeɪt/ | To make something worse | The crisis was exacerbated by a lack of proper management. |
| Mitigation | /ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/ | The action of reducing the severity of something | Mitigation measures must be taken to combat air pollution. |
| Essential services | /ɪˈsɛnʃəl ˈsɜrvəsəz/ | Basic services such as water supply, healthcare, and electricity | A natural disaster can disrupt people’s access to essential services. |
| Insufficient | /ˌɪnsəˈfɪʃənt/ | Not enough, inadequate | The funds allocated to disaster relief were insufficient to cover all damages. |
Conclusion
The impacts of climate refugees are a highly relevant topic in the Summarize Written Text portion of the PTE exam, reflecting not just linguistic ability, but also awareness of significant global issues. Aspiring PTE test-takers should practice summarizing key concepts from diverse reading materials, and focus on producing cohesive, sophisticated sentences. By honing these skills, you will be better prepared for the real exam, whether the topic is climate refugees or another subject.
If you have any further questions or would like to share your practice samples, feel free to comment below for feedback!
