Summarize Written Text in PTE: Global Trade and Economic Inequality

In this article, we will provide sample passages based on Global Trade and Economic Inequality, helping you practice and perfect your summarization skills for the PTE exam. We’ll also analyze and explore best-practice answers to give you insights into improving your score.

Sample Summarize Written Text Questions Related to Global Trade

Question 1:

Global trade has played a critical role in shaping the modern world, bringing nations together and facilitating economic growth. However, despite the many benefits, such as access to broader markets and international cooperation, global trade can also deepen economic inequality, particularly between developed and developing nations. Developed countries, with their advanced technologies and well-organized industries, often dominate the global trade scene, while developing countries struggle to compete on equal terms. This disparity exacerbates income inequality, with a large portion of the global wealth concentrated in a handful of developed regions, leaving the poorer nations lagging significantly behind.

Summarize the paragraph in one sentence:

Sample Answers:

Score: 90-100 (High Band)
While global trade promotes economic growth and cooperation, it also widens the economic gap between developed and developing countries by favoring wealth concentration in richer nations.

Content: Excellent, captures all key points and balances both pros and cons of global trade.
Form: Length is within the word limit.
Grammar: Flawless structure and grammar.
Vocabulary: Precise and impactful.
Spelling: No errors.

Score: 75 (Mid-High Band)
Though global trade helps countries grow, it contributes to economic inequality between wealthy and poorer nations.

Content: Covers key points but simplifies some nuances, such as the role of advanced technologies.
Form: Appropriate length and adherence to the task.
Grammar: Solid grammar, but lacks complexity.
Vocabulary: Adequate but not as rich as higher band answers.
Spelling: No errors.

Score: 55 (Mid Band)
Global trade benefits developed nations more, increasing wealth gaps between countries.

Content: Lacks comprehensive coverage.
Form: Short and too concise—limited explanation of key ideas.
Grammar: Fault-free but overly simplistic.
Vocabulary: Basic and does not emphasize important concepts.
Spelling: No errors.

Related topic: Economic inequality between developed and developing nations

Question 2:

With globalization expanding, there has been significant growth in international trade agreements that aim to remove trade barriers and foster open markets. However, such agreements often benefit multinational corporations and wealthier nations. Developing countries, lacking bargaining power and technological resources, find themselves in a weaker position. This imbalance not only affects the national economies of poorer countries but also has far-reaching effects on social structures, employment, and the livelihood of millions.

Summarize the paragraph in one sentence:

Sample Answers:

Score: 90-100 (High Band)
Globalization and trade agreements primarily benefit wealthier nations and businesses, intensifying the struggles of developing countries and negatively impacting their societies and economies.

Content: Comprehensive and offers a balanced view of the issue.
Form: Well within word limit.
Grammar: Perfect grammar, featuring complex sentence structures.
Vocabulary: Strong, accurately conveys meaning without repetition.
Spelling: No errors.

Score: 75 (Mid-High Band)
While international trade agreements seek to lower trade barriers, they mainly benefit wealthier nations, worsening economic inequality.

Content: Coverage is sufficient but does not mention the broader societal impact.
Form: Appropriate length for the task.
Grammar: Well-constructed, though it lacks depth.
Vocabulary: Suitable, though slightly repetitive.
Spelling: No errors.

Score: 55 (Mid Band)
Globalization helps rich nations more than poor ones, leading to inequality.

Content: Lacks detail and depth.
Form: Too short, misses key ideas.
Grammar: Simplistic.
Vocabulary: Basic, lacks range.
Spelling: No errors.

Related topic: Global trade and sustainable development

Vocabulary and Grammar Focus

Here are 10 useful vocabulary words from the passages, along with their phonetic transcription and example sentences:

1. Globalization /ˌɡloʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ — The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.
   Example: Globalization has led to increased connectivity between markets.

2. Inequality /ˌɪnɪˈkwɑːlɪti/ — A difference in size, degree, circumstances, or social status.
   Example: Economic inequality is one of the most pressing issues in modern times.

3. Bargaining /ˈbɑːrɡɪnɪŋ/ — Negotiation between two or more parties about the terms of a transaction.
   Example: Developing nations often lack bargaining power in trade deals.

4. Technological /ˌtɛknəˈlɑːʤɪkəl/ — Relating to or involving technology.
   Example: Technological advances benefit developed economies the most.

5. Multinational /ˌmʌltinaʃənəl/ — Existing in or involving multiple countries.
   Example: Multinational corporations dominate the global trade market.

6. Cooperation /koʊˌɑpəˈreɪʃən/ — The action or process of working together for a common purpose.
   Example: International cooperation is vital for sustainable growth in global trade.

7. Livelihood /ˈlaɪvlihʊd/ — Means of securing the necessities of life.
   Example: Trade barriers threaten the livelihood of workers in developing countries.

8. Disparity /dɪˈspærɪti/ — A great difference.
   Example: The disparity between rich and poor nations is increasing due to global trade imbalances.

9. Wealth concentration /wɛlθ kɒnsɛnˈtreɪʃən/ — The process by which wealth is gathered into a few select locations or groups.
   Example: Wealth concentration in developed nations continues to grow, exacerbating inequality.

10. Barriers /ˈbæriərz/ — Obstacles that prevent movement or access.
    Example: Removing trade barriers has been a priority in many international agreements.

Conclusion

Practicing the Summarize Written Text task with topics such as “Global Trade and Economic Inequality” will help you better understand this key subject, which regularly appears in the PTE exam. By practicing regularly and refining your responses based on the detailed feedback provided above, you can improve your exam performance. Be sure to engage with related topics to expand your comprehension, like Globalization’s impact on traditional economies, for a broader learning experience. Feel free to leave a comment below with your summaries and get feedback from fellow learners!