Introduction
In the PTE exam, one of the challenging tasks in the Speaking & Writing section is “Summarize Written Text.” This task is critical for testing your ability to identify the main idea and summarize it into one sentence. One topical theme that frequently appears in various standardized tests, including PTE, involves analyzing the effects of modern phenomena like social media. This article provides practice sample summaries based on the topic “Social media’s effect on democracy,” optimized to help candidates better prepare for the real exam.
Sample Summarize Written Text Prompt
Task prompt:
Read the text below and summarize it in one sentence. Your response must be between 5 and 75 words and cover the essential points presented in the text.
Text:
In the past two decades, social media has emerged as a powerful tool affecting democratic processes globally. It has enabled more people to engage in political discussions, share ideas, and organize social movements. However, the unregulated nature of social media platforms has also led to the spread of misinformation, echo chambers, and manipulation by external actors, posing a threat to democratic integrity. While social media has democratized information-sharing, it has also acted as a double-edged sword in shaping political landscapes.
Sample Answers Based on Band Score
Band 90 Response
Social media, while democratizing access to information and encouraging public engagement in political discussions, simultaneously fosters misinformation and potential external interference, posing significant risks to the integrity of democratic processes.
- Content: This response effectively summarizes every crucial point in the original text—mentioning both the positive and negative aspects of social media’s impact on democracy.
- Form: Word count is well within the 5-75 words range.
- Grammar: Grammar is sophisticated, featuring complex structures like conjunctive adverbs and participial phrases.
- Vocabulary: Advanced vocabulary is used appropriately (“democratizing access,” “fosters misinformation,” “external interference”).
- Spelling: No spelling mistakes.
Band 80 Response
Although social media allows people to participate more in democratic processes and share ideas, it also helps spread misinformation and weakens the integrity of democracy through external manipulation.
- Content: This answer captures the essence of both the positive and negative roles of social media in democracy but lacks the nuance of the “double-edged sword” metaphor.
- Form: Word count is in the correct range.
- Grammar: The grammatical structures are solid but simpler than a Band 90 response.
- Vocabulary: Vocabulary is appropriate but less advanced (“weaken the integrity” vs. “pose significant risks”).
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band 70 Response
Social media gives people the chance to join political discussions but also spreads false information that can harm democracy.
- Content: This sentence captures the key points, though it simplifies the original message and omits details about external interference.
- Form: The summary is within the word limit.
- Grammar: Correct grammar but uses basic structures.
- Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary is used (“gives people the chance,” “false information”) with less variation or complexity.
- Spelling: No mistakes.
social media impact on democracy and its dual nature
Band 60 Response
While social media helps people express opinions, it also spreads wrong information that can affect democracy.
- Content: This response oversimplifies both the risks and benefits mentioned in the text, missing nuanced ideas like political discussions and organized social movements.
- Form: Word count is still acceptable.
- Grammar: Simple sentence structures with no grammatical errors but lacks precision in meaning.
- Vocabulary: Very basic vocabulary (“wrong information,” “affect democracy”).
- Spelling: No issues present.
Band 50 Response
Social media is good for talking about politics but can also cause problems when people share incorrect ideas or information.
- Content: This response waters down the complexity of the original text and fails to fully capture the balance between opportunities and risks.
- Form: Satisfies the word count, though the sentence is quite broad.
- Grammar: Basic, correct grammar but lacks any advanced structures.
- Vocabulary: Uses rudimentary language (“good for talking about politics,” “incorrect ideas”).
- Spelling: No spelling errors detected.
Vocabulary and Grammar Insights
Below is a list of 10 key vocabulary terms from the provided text, along with their phonetic transcription, meaning, and example sentence for each:
-
Democratize /diˈmɒkrətaɪz/ (v.) – to make something accessible to everyone.
Example: Social media has democratized information sharing among different populations. -
Integrity /ɪnˈtɛɡrəti/ (n.) – the state of being whole, undivided, and honest.
Example: The interference with social media platforms threatens the integrity of elections. -
Misinformation /ˌmɪsɪnfəˈmeɪʃən/ (n.) – false or inaccurate information, especially that which is spread deliberately.
Example: The spread of misinformation on social media can have disastrous effects on public opinion. -
Echo chamber /ˈɛkəʊ ˈʧeɪmbər/ (n.) – a situation in which information, ideas, or beliefs are amplified or reinforced by communication and repetition inside a defined system.
Example: Many users of social media only engage in echo chambers that reinforce their own beliefs. -
Manipulation /məˌnɪpjʊˈleɪʃən/ (n.) – controlling or influencing something or someone, often in a dishonest or harmful way.
Example: The manipulation of news articles on social media has skewed public perception. -
External actors /ɪkˈstɜːn(ə)l ˈæktərz/ (n.) – individuals, entities, or states not directly involved in an event but who may influence it.
Example: External actors have been known to interfere in democratic elections via social media. -
Unregulated /ˌʌnˈrɛɡjʊleɪtɪd/ (adj.) – lacking rules or controls.
Example: The unregulated nature of social media platforms has allowed harmful content to proliferate. -
Engagement /ɪnˈɡeɪdʒmənt/ (n.) – the act of being involved or participating in something.
Example: Social media increases public engagement in important political discussions. -
Proliferation /prəʊˌlɪfəˈreɪʃən/ (n.) – a rapid increase in numbers or spread.
Example: The proliferation of fake news through social media is alarming. -
Double-edged sword /ˈdʌbəl ɛʤd sɔːd/ (n.) – a situation or occurrence that has both advantageous and adverse consequences.
Example: Social media’s influence on democracy is a double-edged sword—it empowers citizens but also spreads harmful falsehoods.
key vocabulary terms relevant to social media and democracy
Conclusion
In this practice task, we’ve explored the significant impact of social media on democracy—a highly relevant issue in today’s world. By practicing summarizing in various band levels, you can aim for accuracy, conciseness, and clarity in your Summarize Written Text tasks on the PTE exam. Social media’s double-edged nature will likely remain a popular topic in real-life test scenarios, so keep practicing and refining your skills!
