Overview of Biotechnology in Food Production
Biotechnology has become one of the most substantial tools in modern food production. In the Pearson Test of English (PTE), topics related to technological advancements, especially in sectors such as agriculture and food production, are frequently tested. One of the recurring components in the Writing & Speaking sections is the Summarize Written Text task, where candidates are required to condense a passage while capturing its core meaning. In this article, we’ll provide sample Summarize Written Text prompts specifically discussing Biotechnology in Food Production to help you prepare for the PTE writing exam.
Sample Summarize Written Text Prompts on Biotechnology
Task 1: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence. Your response must be between 5 and 75 words.
In recent decades, advances in biotechnology have allowed for the creation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the agricultural sector. These modifications include making crops more resistant to diseases, pests, and environmental conditions such as droughts. Proponents argue that GMOs contribute to larger yields and more sustainable farming, while critics point to potential health risks and environmental concerns. Despite the controversies, GMOs continue to shape modern food production in both developed and developing countries, improving food security across the globe.
Sample Answers:
Band Score: 79+
GMOs, enabled by biotechnology, enhance crop resilience and yield for sustainable farming, though discussions on their health and environmental impacts persist globally.
Evaluation:
- Content: Fully captures the main ideas of GMOs in biotechnology, sustainability, and controversies.
- Form: Sentence is concise and ranges within the word limit.
- Grammar: Complex sentence with correct punctuation and grammar.
- Vocabulary: Advanced word choices like “resilience,” “sustainability,” and “controversies.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Band Score: 65-78
Biotechnology creates genetically modified crops that improve production and farming sustainability, though some people are concerned about risks to health and the environment.
Evaluation:
- Content: Covers most key points but misses the geopolitical impact of GMOs.
- Form: Well-structured and concise.
- Grammar: Correct sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate use of terms, though simpler than a higher band score.
- Spelling: No errors.
Band Score: Below 65
Biotechnology has created genetically modified crops, which some people think are dangerous to health or have environmental risks.
Evaluation:
- Content: Focuses narrowly on risk factors and misses broader points about benefits and global food security.
- Form: Sentence structure is basic, within word limit.
- Grammar: Simpler sentence construction.
- Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary, limited variety.
- Spelling: No errors.
Task 2: Biotechnology and Sustainable Agriculture
Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence between 5 and 75 words.
Biotechnology plays a pivotal role in promoting sustainable agriculture by creating crops that are resistant to pests, extreme weather, and herbicides. This advancement not only reduces the need for harmful chemical pesticides but also minimizes the ecological footprint of farming practices. Furthermore, biotechnological innovations in farming extend to improving the nutritional content of food products, which directly combats malnutrition in many parts of the world.
Sample Answers:
Band Score: 79+
Biotechnology’s role in sustainable agriculture includes enhancing crop resistance and nutrition while reducing pesticide reliance and environmental impact, thus supporting global food security.
Evaluation:
- Content: Strongly addresses all key points related to sustainability, ecological impact, and global food security.
- Form: Compact and within the word limit.
- Grammar: Properly uses complex sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Sophisticated use of words like “resistance,” “ecological impact,” and “food security.”
- Spelling: No mistakes.
Band Score: 65-78
Biotechnology makes farming more sustainable by creating crops that resist pests and weather, reducing pesticide use and malnutrition.
Evaluation:
- Content: Covers most major points but neglects environmental footprint and nutrition precision.
- Form: Clean structure, well within word limit.
- Grammar: Correct grammar, though sentence structure is simpler.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate but not as varied or advanced.
- Spelling: No issues.
Band Score: Below 65
Biotechnology reduces pesticide use and helps farming by improving crops.
Evaluation:
- Content: Lacks depth, and important details like nutrition and weather resistance are omitted.
- Form: Basic and short.
- Grammar: Simple sentence construction, overly straightforward.
- Vocabulary: Limited range of vocabulary.
- Spelling: No errors.
Vocabulary and Grammar Insights
Let’s explore some essential vocabulary related to biotechnology in food production:
-
Resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/ (n.) – the ability to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Example: The crops developed through biotechnology demonstrated remarkable resilience to pests. -
Sustainability /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ (n.) – the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
Example: Sustainable farming techniques reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. -
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) /dʒəˈnetɪkli ˈmɒdɪfaɪd/ (n.) – organisms whose genetic material has been altered using genetic engineering techniques.
Example: GMOs have significantly increased crop yields in many regions. -
Malnutrition /ˌmælnjuːˈtrɪʃən/ (n.) – lack of proper nutrition caused by not having enough food, or not eating enough healthy foods.
Example: Nutrient-enriched crops aim to combat malnutrition in developing countries. -
Herbicide /ˈhɜːrbɪsaɪd/ (n.) – a substance that is toxic to plants, used to destroy unwanted vegetation.
Example: Herbicide-resistant crops require fewer harmful chemicals. -
Ecological Footprint /ˌiːkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈfʊtprɪnt/ (n.) – the impact of a person or community on the environment.
Example: Biotechnology helps reduce the ecological footprint of agricultural practices. -
Nutritional Content /njuˈtrɪʃənl ˈkɒntent/ (n.) – the amount of essential nutrients, such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals present in food.
Example: Enhancing the nutritional content of crops can help fight vitamin deficiencies. -
Food Security /ˈfuːd sɪˌkjʊərɪti/ (n.) – the state of having reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food.
Example: Biotechnology plays a crucial part in ensuring food security for growing populations. -
Pesticide /ˈpɛstɪsaɪd/ (n.) – chemical substances used to kill pests.
Example: Reducing pesticide use lessens environmental damage. -
Genetic Engineering /dʒəˈnetɪk ˌɛnʤɪˈnɪərɪŋ/ (n.) – the manipulation of an organism’s genes using biotechnology.
Example: Genetic engineering has made it possible to create plants resistant to diseases.
Conclusion
In the PTE Summarize Written Text section, you can expect topics of global relevance, such as biotechnology in food production. By practicing with these sample tasks, you not only improve your summarization skills but also stay informed about current issues. Make sure to focus on capturing the core idea concisely and accurately while maintaining proper grammar and spelling.
Feel free to leave any comments or questions below and share your experiences as you prepare for the PTE exam!
