In the PTE exam, the Summarize Written Text is a crucial section in the Speaking & Writing part. You will be tested on your ability to read a passage and create a single sentence summary reflecting the main idea. One common topic often seen in this section is related to Financial Literacy’s Role in Economic Growth, which focuses on how financial literacy influences both individuals and nations on the path of economic development.
Below, we provide a sample exam text, followed by model answers graded at different PTE band scores. These examples will help you understand what is required to excel in this section of the PTE exam.
Sample Summarize Written Text Task
Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence. The summary should include the key points of the text.
Task:
Write one sentence only that is between 5 and 75 words.
Financial literacy, defined as the ability to understand and efficiently use financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing, is critical to an individual’s and a nation’s economic health. A population’s overall financial knowledge enables individuals to make informed financial decisions, leading to better wealth accumulation, less financial fragility, and improved welfare. Additionally, at the macroeconomic level, widespread financial literacy helps ensure more efficient markets, increased savings rates, and reduced economic inequality. Economically literate citizens are better prepared to navigate crises, support governmental fiscal policies, and contribute to long-term economic growth. Globally, countries with higher degrees of financial literacy have demonstrated resilience during economic downturns, which is why governments and financial institutions are investing in education initiatives to improve understanding in these areas.
Model Answers with Band Score Breakdown
Band Score 90 Answer:
The passage highlights the role of financial literacy in both personal and macroeconomic dimensions, explaining that understanding financial principles leads to better wealth management, reduced financial inequality, and resilience during economic crises, all of which contribute to long-term economic growth.
Content: Full coverage of all key points, including how financial literacy impacts individuals, markets, and economic resilience.
Form: One sentence, within the word limit (41 words), and concise.
Grammar: Excellent and complex sentence structure, free from errors.
Vocabulary: Advanced use of varied vocabulary such as “wealth management,” “inequality,” and “resilience.”
Spelling: No errors.
Financial literacy benefits economic growth at micro and macro levels
Band Score 80 Answer:
The text emphasizes the importance of financial literacy in helping individuals manage personal finances while also contributing to national economic growth by fostering savings rates and ensuring resilience in difficult times.
Content: Covers key points, missing some minor information about how financial literacy affects markets and inequality.
Form: One sentence, within the word limit (34 words).
Grammar: Well-constructed with minor complexity, free of significant errors.
Vocabulary: Clear but less varied; lacks some complex expressions.
Spelling: No errors.
Band Score 70 Answer:
Financial literacy is important for personal finance and helps improve the national economy by increasing savings and making the economy more resilient during crises.
Content: Covers most parts but lacks details about improving welfare, inequality, and government initiatives.
Form: One sentence, but at the lower end of the word limit (28 words).
Grammar: Correct but simple sentence construction, few complex structures.
Vocabulary: Adequate but somewhat repetitive and lacks sophistication.
Spelling: No errors.
Financial literacy's impact on personal finance and the economy
Band Score 60 Answer:
Financial literacy helps people manage money better and helps the economy to grow stronger.
Content: Lacks significant detail and omits macroeconomic effects.
Form: Short (14 words) but clear, although overly simplistic.
Grammar: Basic sentence structure, no errors but lacks complexity.
Vocabulary: Very basic and repetitive.
Spelling: No errors.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
Below is a list of 10 advanced vocabulary words extracted from the passage, along with their pronunciation, meanings, and example sentences. These words will help broaden your vocabulary, which can improve your writing score.
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Literacy /ˈlɪtərəsi/ (noun): The ability to read and write or possess knowledge in a specific area.
- Example: Financial literacy is crucial for making informed investment decisions.
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Wealth accumulation /wɛlθ əˌkjuːmjʊˈleɪʃən/ (noun): The process of increasing the amount of one’s financial assets over time.
- Example: Proper financial management leads to steady wealth accumulation.
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Fragility /frəˈdʒɪləti/ (noun): The quality of being easily broken or vulnerable.
- Example: Financial literacy reduces the fragility of an individual’s economic situation.
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Macro /ˈmækroʊ/ (adjective): Large-scale, relating to the whole economy.
- Example: At the macro level, financial education strengthens national economies.
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Inequality /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti/ (noun): Lack of equality, often referring to disparities in income or opportunity.
- Example: Financial literacy helps to lower economic inequality.
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Navigate /ˈnævɪɡeɪt/ (verb): Find the way through a difficult situation.
- Example: Financial literacy helps individuals navigate financial crises.
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Resilience /rɪˈzɪljəns/ (noun): The ability to recover quickly from difficulties.
- Example: Economically resilient countries often have higher financial literacy rates.
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Downturn /ˈdaʊnˌtɜrn/ (noun): A decrease or worsening in economic conditions.
- Example: Higher financial literacy helps a country withstand an economic downturn.
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Initiative /ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/ (noun): A new plan or process to achieve something.
- Example: Many countries have launched initiatives to improve financial education.
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Crisis /ˈkraɪsɪs/ (noun): A time of intense difficulty or danger.
- Example: Financially literate individuals are better equipped to manage during a crisis.
Key vocabulary related to financial literacy for economic growth
Conclusion
In this article, we explored how financial literacy contributes to economic growth, both on a personal and national level, through a sample Summarize Written Text task for the PTE exam. Summarizing effectively in the PTE test requires an understanding of content, tight sentence construction, and sophisticated grammar and vocabulary usage.
This is a prevalent topic in PTE tasks, and you’ll want to practice regularly. Feel free to try the sample task above and share your responses in the comments to get feedback from others!
