Summarizing written text is an essential part of the PTE Speaking and Writing sections. A recurring theme in recent PTE exams is related to cultural understanding and the challenges of mental health stigma. This article focuses on providing high-quality practice questions on the topic of Mental Health Stigma In Different Cultures, designed to help candidates enhance their skills and score higher.
Summarize Written Text: Sample Questions on Mental Health Stigma
Question Prompt 1: Mental Health Perception Across Cultures
Stigma surrounding mental health is a common issue that transcends borders; however, the way it manifests differs from one culture to another. In many Western societies, mental health awareness has gradually increased, leading to destigmatization efforts. However, cultures that highly emphasize community approval and honor, such as Asian and Middle Eastern societies, might stigmatize mental disorders to a greater degree. For instance, in Japan, cultural norms prioritize outward harmony, which leads to societal pressure on individuals to suppress mental illness. In contrast, Western cultures, such as those in the United States, commonly encourage seeking therapy or support. Regardless of geographical differences, the need to address and reduce mental health stigma is universal. Effective campaigns should consider cultural values to foster a deeper and lasting impact on the mental health movement.
Task: Write a one-sentence summary of the passage, including the main idea and significant supporting details.
High-scoring Response (Band 80+)
The passage contrasts how mental health stigma varies culturally, being less prevalent in the West where awareness is higher, against traditional environments in Eastern cultures where factors such as social harmony cause stronger stigmatization, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive destigmatization efforts.
- Content: Comprehensive understanding of the text.
- Form: 1 sentence, 54 words (within the word limit).
- Grammar: Complex sentence structure, no errors.
- Vocabulary: Advanced and precise word choice.
- Spelling: No errors.
Medium-scoring Response (Band 70)
Mental health stigma varies between cultures, with Eastern societies often being more affected due to their value on harmony, compared to the more open approach in Western societies, suggesting the importance of culturally aware campaigns.
- Content: Adequate capturing of key points.
- Form: 1 sentence, 36 words.
- Grammar: Correct but simpler structure.
- Vocabulary: Decent, but uses less precise terms.
- Spelling: No errors.
Low-scoring Response (Band 60)
Western and Eastern countries have different approaches to mental health stigma, with Western countries being more open, while cultures with strong community focus stigmatize it more.
- Content: Misses focus on cultural sensitivity.
- Form: 1 sentence, 28 words (too few words).
- Grammar: Limited sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Repetitive and basic words like “approaches” and “focus.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Question Prompt 2: Family and Community in Asian Cultures
Mental health stigma in Asian cultures is deeply rooted in the collectivist nature of these societies, where family reputation often takes precedence over individual well-being. In countries such as China and India, an individual’s mental health condition is frequently seen as reflecting poorly on their family, which can lead to secrecy and avoidance of professional help. Moreover, because mental illness is not openly discussed in many Asian societies, seeking mental health support may be associated with shame, resulting in people enduring their conditions in silence. The interconnectedness of family and community presents a significant barrier to openly addressing mental health but also provides an opportunity—if mental health awareness were effectively integrated into these cultural frameworks, it could lead to widespread acceptance and support.
Task: Write a one-sentence summary of the passage, including the main idea and significant supporting details.
High-scoring Response (Band 80+)
The passage explains how mental health stigma in Asian cultures is tied to the collective nature of society, where family reputation takes priority, but also underlines that integrating mental health awareness into cultural norms could enhance acceptance and reduce stigma.
- Content: Thorough comprehension of the text.
- Form: 1 sentence, 47 words (within word limit).
- Grammar: Correct and sophisticated sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Varied and precise.
- Spelling: No errors.
Medium-scoring Response (Band 70)
In Asian cultures, mental health stigma stems from concerns about family reputation, but addressing this stigma through culturally relevant methods could reduce the negative impact.
- Content: Captures key ideas, but lacks complete depth.
- Form: 1 sentence, 25 words (slightly shorter).
- Grammar: Correct, but simpler.
- Vocabulary: Sufficient but not content-rich.
- Spelling: Spelling is accurate.
Low-scoring Response (Band 60)
Mental health issues are stigmatized in Asian cultures due to concerns with family honor and shame.
- Content: Simplified and lacks discussion of potential solutions.
- Form: 1 sentence, 16 words (below minimal word count).
- Grammar: Basic structure.
- Vocabulary: Limited and lacks complexity.
- Spelling: No errors.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
In order to enhance your ability to summarize written text in the PTE exam, it is important to enrich your vocabulary and master complex grammatical structures. Below is a list of 10 challenging vocabulary words from the provided examples, along with their definitions and usage in context:
| Word | Pronunciation | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collectivist | /kəˈlɛktɪvɪst/ | Related to the practice of giving priority to the group over the individual | In collectivist societies, individuals often prioritize the well-being of their family over personal achievements. |
| Destigmatize | /dɪˈstɪɡmətaɪz/ | Remove the negative associations or shame with something | Campaigns to destigmatize mental illness have increased significantly in recent years, particularly in Western countries. |
| Suppress | /səˈprɛs/ | To restrain or hold back from expressing or revealing something | Many individuals in Eastern cultures may suppress their mental health issues due to fear of social judgment. |
| Framework | /ˈfreɪmwɜːrk/ | A structure or boundary designed to support or enclose | Creating a mental health awareness framework within the existing cultural traditions could help reduce stigma. |
| Reputation | /ˌrɛpjʊˈteɪʃən/ | Widely held beliefs or opinions about someone’s character or quality | Some families are more concerned about reputation than addressing an individual’s mental health challenges openly. |
| Endure | /ɪnˈdjʊər/ | To suffer something difficult for a long period | Many individuals with mental health problems endure significant hardship due to the stigma attached to seeking help. |
| Acceptance | /əkˈsɛptəns/ | The act of agreeing or consenting to something | Increasing societal acceptance of mental health issues is key in improving access to treatment. |
| Shame | /ʃeɪm/ | A painful feeling caused by the recognition of wrongdoing or dishonor | In many Asian cultures, shame plays a large role in discouraging individuals from seeking therapy for mental health concerns. |
| Honor | /ˈɒnər/ | High respect or esteem felt by society towards someone’s virtue or achievements | People in some cultures associate mental illness with a loss of honor, further stigmatizing those affected. |
| Interconnected | /ɪntərˌkɒnɪkˈtɛd/ | Mutually related or involved with multiple factors | In many collectivist cultures, the interconnected nature of family and community can exacerbate the stigma of mental health conditions. |
Conclusion
To succeed in the PTE Summarize Written Text task, it is crucial to practice creating concise summaries that encapsulate the key points of the passage. The provided samples on mental health stigma in different cultures reflect a real PTE exam challenge and offer valuable practice. Remember to focus on clarity, comprehension, and structure while developing a rich vocabulary. Feel free to leave comments or ask questions below—your practice and engagement are key to improvement.
