The topic of climate change’s impact on ocean currents is becoming increasingly relevant not just in the academic sphere, but in everyday discourse, particularly with how it affects ecosystems and weather patterns. This makes it a common subject in the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE Speaking & Writing exam. In this section, candidates are required to condense a passage of up to 400 words into a coherent, single sentence.
Below, we’ve provided sample practice tasks on this topic, using standard PTE structures, along with answers targeted at different scoring bands, analysis of vocabulary, and guidance on how to approach the task effectively.
Sample Questions for Summarize Written Text
Question 1: Climate Change and Ocean Currents
The ocean’s currents, which have been stable for thousands of years, are undergoing notable changes directly linked to human-induced climate change. These currents are responsible for regulating temperature, distributing heat and nutrients across the globe, and maintaining biological balance in marine ecosystems. However, as increasing temperatures lead to the melting of polar ice caps, freshwater is being introduced into oceans, interfering with the natural density shift caused by saltwater. This, in turn, disrupts the normal flow of ocean currents, including the Gulf Stream, causing unusual weather patterns and threatening species dependent on stable ocean temperatures for survival.
Task: Summarize the text in one sentence.
Question 2: The Role of Ocean Currents on Global Climate
Ocean currents play a crucial role in determining the climate by transporting heat from tropical regions to colder areas, which helps balance the Earth’s temperature. Climate change, however, is weakening this process by altering wind patterns and reducing the salinity of water due to ice melts, resulting in weaker currents. A potential collapse of this system, like the critically important Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), could cause severe temperature drops in Europe, increase the frequency of storms, and have widespread effects on global agriculture.
Task: Summarize the text in one sentence.
Model Answers
Band 90+ Response
The ocean’s currents, vital for regulating global temperatures and supporting ecosystems, are being drastically disrupted by climate change as polar ice melts introduce freshwater, thereby weakening currents like the Gulf Stream and impacting weather patterns and species dependent on stable ocean temperatures.
Analysis:
- Content: The response accurately summarizes all key points, including the melting ice caps, freshwater interference, disruption to ocean currents, and the resulting environmental consequences.
- Form: Single sentence.
- Grammar: The grammar is complex with the appropriate use of clauses.
- Vocabulary: High-level vocabulary such as “drastically disrupted,” “polar ice melts,” and “ecosystems” is used appropriately.
- Spelling: Perfect spelling.
Band 79+ Response
Ocean currents that regulate global temperatures are disrupted by climate change due to melting ice adding freshwater, leading to unusual weather and affecting marine species.
Analysis:
- Content: This response catches the critical concepts but omits specific details such as the Gulf Stream or the broader ecological impact.
- Form: Conforms well to the required form.
- Grammar: Good sentence structure with clear meaning.
- Vocabulary: Effective use of terms like “regulate,” “disrupted,” and “marine species,” though less sophisticated than 90+.
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 65+ Response
Due to climate change, ocean currents are stopping, leading to changes in weather and problems for the environment.
Analysis:
- Content: Some key pieces of information are missing or oversimplified, such as the cause (melting ice) and specific details about marine life or current names.
- Form: A single clause, though shorter than ideal.
- Grammar: Grammatically correct but a basic structure.
- Vocabulary: Vocabulary is accurate but lacks academic sophistication such as “stopping” instead of “disruption.”
- Spelling: No mistakes.
Vocabulary and Grammar for Summarize Written Text
To excel in this task, mastering high-level vocabulary related to the subject is essential. Here is a list of 10 advanced vocabulary words from the sample texts, including their phonetic transcription and meaning:
-
Regulate /ˈrɛɡjʊleɪt/ (verb): to control or maintain the rate or speed of a process.
Example: The government regulates environmental policies to reduce emissions. -
Disrupt /dɪsˈrʌpt/ (verb): to interrupt an event, activity, or process.
Example: The protests disrupted traffic in the city center. -
Ecosystem /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/ (noun): a complex network or interconnected system of organisms and their environment.
Example: Coral reefs are delicate ecosystems. -
Salinity /səˈlɪnɪti/ (noun): the concentration of salt in water.
Example: The salinity of the ocean is crucial for marine life. -
Circulation /ˌsɜːkjʊˈleɪʃən/ (noun): movement around something, particularly the flow of water or air.
Example: Ocean circulation affects global climate. -
Meridional /mɛˈrɪdɪənəl/ (adjective): related to the Earth’s meridian or longitudinal lines.
Example: The Meridional Overturning Circulation influences climate change. -
Polar /ˈpəʊlər/ (adjective): relating to Earth’s poles.
Example: Polar bears are endangered mainly due to shrinking ice habitats. -
Frequent /ˈfriːkwənt/ (adjective): happening often.
Example: The region experiences frequent storms during the monsoon season. -
Collapse /kəˈlæps/ (verb): break down or fail suddenly.
Example: The bridge collapsed under the weight of the truck. -
Unusual /ʌnˈjuːʒʊəl/ (adjective): not common or expected.
Example: The city’s architecture is unusual compared to neighboring towns.
Conclusion
Summarizing passages in the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam requires a strong understanding of both content and structure. Climate change, especially its impact on ocean currents, is a recurring theme due to the increasing awareness of environmental concerns. Practice regularly, focus on capturing essential details succinctly, and use advanced vocabulary to improve your performance. Share your answers or experiences in the comment section to engage further with this practice!
