Summarize Written Text is a critical part of the Speaking & Writing section in the PTE exam, where candidates are required to summarize a piece of text in one sentence. This task tests not only your comprehension but also your ability to condense the main points into a cohesive and meaningful summary. One commonly discussed topic is ecology, specifically the importance of pollinators like bees in agriculture—a theme that often appears in the PTE.
In this article, we will explore the topic The Role of Bees in Agriculture and provide you with a practice test for the Summarize Written Text portion. Through this, you’ll get a clearer idea of the task format, as well as gain valuable insights for achieving a high score.
Summarize Written Text Practice: The Role of Bees in Agriculture
Test Prompt:
Bees play an integral role in global agriculture because they are the primary pollinators for many crops. Pollination is not just essential for the reproductive process of plants; it also influences the yield and quality of crops. Without sufficient bee populations, many types of fruits, nuts, and vegetables would see a dramatic decrease in production, affecting both food supply and biodiversity. Furthermore, the absence of bees could impose additional costs on farmers, as artificial pollination methods are expensive and less efficient. Recent studies have highlighted alarming declines in bee populations due to factors such as pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change. This alarming trend raises concerns, as the continuation of agricultural productivity and ecosystem balance is directly tied to the survival of bees.
Task: Summarize the written text in one sentence.
Answer Samples and Band Score Breakdown:
Band Score: 90
Bees are essential to agriculture because they are the primary pollinators for many crops, and their population decline due to factors like pesticides, habitat loss, and climate change poses a significant threat to food production and biodiversity.
Analysis:
- Content: This summary captures all major details, including The Role Of Bees In Agriculture, the impact on food production, and the risks caused by the decline in bee populations.
- Form: The sentence is clear and grammatically correct, with no more than one full stop, fulfilling the word limit requirement (5-75 words).
- Grammar: The sentence is grammatically flawless, using appropriate tenses and structures.
- Vocabulary: High-level vocabulary such as pollinators, biodiversity, and artificial pollination is used effectively and contextually.
- Spelling: No spelling issues.
Band Score: 70
Bees are critical for plant pollination, and their decline due to human activities like pesticide usage threatens agriculture’s sustainability.
Analysis:
- Content: The gist of the paragraph is summarized, but some details (e.g., biodiversity, artificial pollination methods) are omitted.
- Form: The sentence structure is simple but effective, within the word limit.
- Grammar: It uses correct grammar and acceptable vocabularies.
- Vocabulary: Though not as advanced as the previous response, the vocabulary is appropriate for the task.
- Spelling: No errors in spelling.
Band Score: 50
Bees are important for crops, but their numbers are decreasing because of pesticides and other issues, affecting agriculture.
Analysis:
- Content: The sentence touches on the core concept, but some essential details (like artificial pollination and climate change) are missing.
- Form: Sentence fits the word limit but lacks complexity and cohesion.
- Grammar: The grammar is acceptable but very basic. Could benefit from using linking words like as a result.
- Vocabulary: Simple vocabulary with no use of academic terms.
- Spelling: Spelling is accurate, though some awkward phrasing appears.
Band Score: 30
Bees help plants and food, but they are dying due to chemicals.
Analysis:
- Content: This response lacks sufficient detail and does not fully convey the relationship between bees and agriculture.
- Form: The sentence is incomplete, with vague references and inadequate complexity. While it fits the word limit, it lacks depth.
- Grammar: The grammar is overly simplistic and limits communication.
- Vocabulary: Very basic vocabulary is used with no linking words or advanced terms.
- Spelling: Spelling is correct, but the overall expression is weak.
Bees pollinating crops in agriculture, showing their essential role in food production
Important Vocabulary and Grammar for the PTE Summarize Written Text
Understanding key vocabulary helps increase precision in your summaries. Here’s a list of some challenging words from the prompt, along with their definitions and usage examples:
-
Pollinator /ˈpɒlɪneɪtə(r)/
- Meaning: An animal or insect that moves pollen from one flower to another.
- Example: Bees are primary pollinators for many crops.
-
Biodiversity /ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɜrsɪti/
- Meaning: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.
- Example: The decline of pollinators negatively affects biodiversity.
-
Yield /jiːld/
- Meaning: The amount of a crop produced.
- Example: Higher pollination by bees results in a better yield of fruits and nuts.
-
Habitat Loss /ˈhæbɪtæt lɒs/
- Meaning: The process in which a natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species.
- Example: Habitat loss is one of the main reasons for the decrease in bee populations.
-
Artificial Pollination /ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl pɒlɪˈneɪʃən/
- Meaning: A human-assisted process of pollinating plants without insects.
- Example: Farmers may resort to artificial pollination if bees disappear.
-
Pesticides /ˈpestɪsaɪdz/
- Meaning: Chemicals used to eliminate pests that harm plants.
- Example: The excessive use of pesticides has contributed to the reduction in bee numbers.
Reasons behind the decline in bee populations, including pesticides and habitat loss
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Ecosystem /ˈiːkoʊsɪstəm/
- Meaning: A biological community of interacting organisms and their environment.
- Example: The ecosystem is disrupted when pollinators like bees are endangered.
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Reproductive Process /ˌriːprəˈdʌktɪv ˈprəʊsɛs/
- Meaning: The biological process by which new individual plants or animals are produced.
- Example: Bees contribute to the reproductive process of various plant species.
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Sustainability /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/
- Meaning: The ability to maintain or preserve resources for the future.
- Example: Sustainable farming practices depend on the health of pollinator populations.
-
Climate Change /ˈklaɪmət tʃeɪndʒ/
- Meaning: Significant long-term changes in the earth’s climate and weather patterns.
- Example: Climate change is impacting bee habitats globally.
Conclusion
The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE exam often covers important global issues such as The Role of Bees in Agriculture. This particular theme highlights the critical role bees play in pollinating crops and sustaining agricultural productivity. By practicing with real-life examples, candidates can sharpen their summarization skills while focusing on content, form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. We encourage you to practice more Summarize Written Text tasks and leave a comment if you need further guidance or clarity.
