Summarize Written Text Practice for PTE Exam: Ocean Biodiversity and Conservation Efforts

In the PTE Speaking & Writing section, the Summarize Written Text task is one that often challenges test-takers. It requires students to understand a given passage and summarize the main ideas into a single sentence while maintaining form, grammar, and word count requirements. One key area where Summarize Written Text questions often arise is around ocean biodiversity and conservation efforts. This is a relevant and important topic in today’s world, so let’s explore some practice tasks related to this.

Practicing Summarize Written Text questions on such globally significant issues can help students perform well in the PTE exam while also increasing their awareness of current environmental topics such as water pollution or sustainable fishing efforts. Below are several sample tasks followed by example answers and explanations.

Summarize Written Text – Ocean Biodiversity & Conservation Efforts

Task 1 – Sample Question:

Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence. Your response must be between 5 and 75 words.

Ocean biodiversity involves the variety of species and ecosystems found in marine environments, playing a crucial role in the stability of life on Earth. Human activities, such as overfishing, habitat destruction, and pollution, have caused a rapid decline in biodiversity, prompting international conservation efforts. Conservation strategies include establishing marine protected areas, enforcing sustainable fishing practices, and reducing pollutants. Though challenges remain, global cooperation and stricter regulations provide hope for restoring and preserving biodiversity in oceans.

Sample Answer:

Band Score 80+ (High Scoring Example):
Ocean biodiversity is vital for ecological balance, yet human activities have severely threatened it, necessitating international conservation measures like marine protected areas, sustainable fishing, and pollution control to restore and protect marine ecosystems.

• Content (5/5): This summary captures key information about biodiversity threats, human activities, and conservation efforts.
• Form (1/1): The length and structure adhere to the 5-75 words requirement.
• Grammar (2/2): The sentence is grammatically accurate.
• Vocabulary (2/2): Words like “ecological balance” and “marine ecosystems” are appropriately used.
• Spelling (2/2): No spelling errors.

Band Score 65-79 (Mid Scoring Example):
Ocean biodiversity is at risk due to human activities, but it can be conserved through international cooperation and practices like marine protection and sustainable fishing.

• Content (4/5): It covers the base idea but omits mention of pollution control.
• Form (1/1): The response is an acceptable length.
• Grammar (2/2): No grammatical issues identified.
• Vocabulary (2/2): Adequate range of vocabulary.
• Spelling (2/2): No spelling mistakes.

Band Score 50-64 (Low Scoring Example):
Human activities are damaging ocean biodiversity, but efforts are being made to protect it.

• Content (2/5): The summary lacks depth regarding conservation strategies and human-caused damage.
• Form (1/1): The sentence meets the word count limit.
• Grammar (2/2): Error-free grammar but simple.
• Vocabulary (1/2): Simplified vocabulary (“protect” instead of “conserve”).
• Spelling (2/2): No spelling issues.

Task 2 – Sample Question:

Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence. Your response must be between 5 and 75 words.

Efforts to protect our oceans have gained momentum in recent years due to growing concerns over the unsustainable use of marine resources. Ocean conservation efforts include initiatives aimed at rehabilitating coral reefs, reducing plastic waste, and rebuilding overfished populations. Crucial to these efforts is the promotion of sustainable fishing practices and the establishment of protected marine areas to safeguard vulnerable species and ecosystems. While progress is being made, achieving long-term sustainability will require further global collaboration and stricter enforcement of regulations.

Sample Answer:

Band Score 80+ (High Scoring Example):
Ocean conservation is progressing through initiatives like coral reef rehabilitation, plastic reduction, and sustainable fishing, but global cooperation and stricter regulations are needed for long-term success.

• Content (5/5): The most relevant details, including sustainability challenges and progress, are summarized.
• Form (1/1): Suitable word count and structure.
• Grammar (2/2): No grammatical errors are present.
• Vocabulary (2/2): Usage of precise vocabulary like “global cooperation” and “rehabilitation.”
• Spelling (2/2): Correct spelling across the summary.

Band Score 65-79 (Mid Scoring Example):
Efforts to conserve the ocean involve rehabilitating coral reefs and promoting sustainable fishing, but long-term success needs more global collaboration and regulations.

• Content (4/5): The information is mostly covered, although “plastic reduction” is omitted.
• Form (1/1): Adheres to word count.
• Grammar (2/2): Correct grammar.
• Vocabulary (1/2): Adequate but less varied than higher responses.
• Spelling (2/2): No issues with spelling.

Band Score 50-64 (Low Scoring Example):
Conserving oceans requires global collaboration and sustainable practices to protect coral reefs and overfished areas.

• Content (3/5): Partial description of effective initiatives, skipping plastic reduction entirely.
• Form (1/1): Correct sentence structure and length.
• Grammar (2/2): No errors in grammar.
• Vocabulary (1/2): Limited vocabulary; could be more specific.
• Spelling (2/2): No spelling errors.

Efforts reduce plastic pollution reef-building critically endangered marine species

Vocabulary and Grammar Highlights:

Here are 10 key vocabulary words used in the text with their meanings and examples:

1. Biodiversity (/ˌbaɪ.oʊ.dɪˈvɜːr.sə.ti/) – The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat.

   • Example: The project aims to protect marine biodiversity in the coastal areas.

2. Conservation (/ˌkɑːn.sɚˈveɪ.ʃən/) – The protection and preservation of the natural environment.

   • Example: Conservation of ocean resources is critical for future generations.

3. Sustainable (/səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/) – Using resources in a way that maintains their availability over the long term.

   • Example: Sustainable fishing practices help to preserve fish stocks.

4. Ecosystem (/ˈiː.koʊˌsɪs.təm/) – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

   • Example: Pollution severely affects the balance of marine ecosystems.

5. Rehabilitation (/ˌriː.həˌbɪl.ɪˈteɪ.ʃən/) – The process of restoring something to its original or improved state.

   • Example: Rehabilitation of coral reefs is vital for supporting ocean biodiversity.

6. Overfishing (/ˌoʊ.vərˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ/) – Depleting fish stocks by excessive fishing.

   • Example: Overfishing threatens many marine species with extinction.

7. Pollutant (/pəˈluː.t̬ənt/) – A harmful substance introduced into the environment.

   • Example: Plastic is one of the most common pollutants found in oceans.

8. Regulation (/ˌreɡ.jəˈleɪ.ʃən/) – A rule or directive made and maintained by an authority.

   • Example: New regulations aim to reduce the impact of human activities on marine wildlife.

9. Collaboration (/kəˌlæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/) – The action of working with someone to achieve a common goal.

   • Example: International collaboration is necessary to tackle issues like ocean pollution.

10. Marine Protected Area (MPA) – A region of the ocean designated for conservation and environmental protection.

    • Example: The establishment of Marine Protected Areas can help curb biodiversity loss.

Conclusion

Summarize Written Text questions in PTE frequently include relevant topics like Ocean Biodiversity And Conservation Efforts. Understanding these topics can enhance both your PTE performance and general awareness. Practice regularly with sample questions to improve sentence structure, clarity, and content compression skills. Real-world environmental issues, such as conservation, appear often in the exam, so familiarizing yourself with these topics is highly advantageous.