In the PTE Academic exam, Summarize Written Text in the Speaking & Writing section is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to comprehend, analyze, and convey the key points of a given passage in a clear and concise sentence. One of the common themes that appear in PTE exams is “Renewable Energy Policies Worldwide,” as energy and its sustainable future have become important global topics. In this article, we’ll dive into practice tasks related to this theme.
Sample Summarize Written Text Prompt: Renewable Energy Policies Worldwide
Below is a practice question reflecting the structure you might encounter in the PTE Summarize Written Text on the topic of renewable energy policies worldwide. Your task is to read the passage carefully and summarize it in one sentence, expressing the main idea in no more than 75 words.
- Prompt:
The global shift towards renewable energy has spurred many countries to implement policies aimed at accelerating the transition to cleaner sources like wind, solar, and geothermal energy. These policies often include incentives such as tax breaks, subsidies for renewable energy companies, and commitments to reduce coal and oil dependency through stricter regulations. Countries like Germany and Denmark have pioneered this trend, while nations in Asia and South America are progressively catching up, recognizing the economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy adoption.
Sample Responses and Band Score Analysis
Here are three sample responses to the above prompt—graded by different scoring bands—to give you a sense of how your answer may be evaluated in a real PTE exam.
Band Score: 90
Sample Answer:
Countries around the world are adopting renewable energy policies, offering incentives and regulatory measures to promote wind, solar, and geothermal energy, with nations like Germany pioneering the movement while others follow suit for economic and environmental reasons.
Content: The main ideas are clearly expressed, covering both international collaboration on renewable energy policies and the reasons for adoption.
Form: The response stays well within the 75-word limit and maintains a coherent single-sentence structure.
Grammar: Grammatical structures are sophisticated and consistent.
Vocabulary: The vocabulary is precise and varied, accurately representing the original text.
Spelling: There are no spelling errors.
Band Score: 70
Sample Answer:
Many countries worldwide are encouraging renewable energy through incentives and regulations to adopt cleaner energy sources, with Germany and Denmark leading the trend, while other nations like Asia and South America are starting to follow.
Content: Most key points are mentioned, but some nuances, such as the economic benefits, are slightly underexplored.
Form: Well-formed and concise, though the sentence slightly reuses phrases. It remains within the word count.
Grammar: Some minor shifts in pronoun usage and preposition placement weaken the clarity slightly.
Vocabulary: Acceptable, though lacking diversity in word choice (e.g., “trend” is not an ideal term here).
Spelling: No errors.
Band Score: 50
Sample Answer:
Countries are working with renewable energy policies and Germany and Denmark lead, others are catching up, especially in Asia.
Content: Several important details are missed, such as specific incentives and the reasons for renewable energy adoption.
Form: Although short, this sentence lacks fluidity and cohesion.
Grammar: Issues with parallel structure and missing articles contribute to lower readability.
Vocabulary: Basic, with minimal variation in word choice.
Spelling: No noticeable spelling problems, but grammar significantly impacts clarity.
Key Vocabulary and Grammar Notes
Along with content and form, vocabulary plays a crucial role in scoring high on the PTE Summarize Written Text section. Below is a list of 10 key vocabulary words from the passage:
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Accelerate /əkˈseləreɪt/ (verb): to cause something to move faster or happen sooner.
- Example: Many governments have enacted policies to accelerate the shift to clean energy.
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Incentive /ɪnˈsentɪv/ (noun): a thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something.
- Example: Tax reductions act as incentives for companies to adopt renewable technologies.
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Dependency /dɪˈpendənsi/ (noun): reliance on something; inability to function without it.
- Example: Reducing oil dependency is vital for achieving energy security.
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Subsidy /ˈsʌbsɪdi/ (noun): financial assistance given by a government to support a particular sector.
- Example: Renewable energy companies may receive government subsidies to promote their projects.
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Pioneer /ˌpaɪəˈnɪr/ (verb/noun): to be the first to develop or apply something.
- Example: Germany is considered a pioneer in renewable energy policy.
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Geothermal /ˌdʒiːəʊˈθɜːməl/ (adjective): pertaining to energy derived from the heat within the earth.
- Example: Iceland has utilized geothermal energy as a key resource for its power supply.
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Progressively /prəˈɡresɪvli/ (adverb): moving towards a better state in a gradual way.
- Example: Countries in Asia are progressively adopting clean energy practices.
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Coal /kəʊl/ (noun): a black or brownish-black rock used as a fuel source.
- Example: Governments are seeking alternatives to coal to reduce carbon emissions.
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Adopt /əˈdɒpt/ (verb): to begin to use or take up something as a habit, method, or way of doing something.
- Example: Many regions are adopting renewable energy as part of their national agenda.
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Commitment /kəˈmɪtmənt/ (noun): a promise or firm decision to do something.
- Example: Denmark has made a strong commitment to becoming carbon-neutral by 2050.
Conclusion
Mastering the Summarize Written Text portion of the PTE requires not only summarizing skills but also the ability to use elaborate and precise language within the given context. The topic of Renewable Energy Policies Worldwide is a frequent and important one, given the global focus on sustainability. We encourage you to practice regularly, review your answers critically, and make sure to check your grammar, vocabulary, and form to continually improve.
If you’re interested in brushing up on related topics, feel free to explore our articles on Impacts of renewable energy subsidies or Renewable energy adoption in public infrastructure for further insights.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Ready for another round of practice?
