In the PTE (Pearson Test of English), Summarize Written Text is a critical section where candidates are assessed based on their ability to summarize academic texts in a single sentence. For those aiming to achieve high scores, it is crucial to practice effectively, especially with topics relevant to present-day discourse, such as renewable energy and its adoption in various sectors. This article presents a sample practice based on Renewable Energy Adoption In Small Businesses, providing valuable content and insights for your preparation.
Importance of Renewable Energy Adoption in Small Businesses
As businesses worldwide seek sustainable solutions to reduce their carbon footprint, adopting renewable energy plays a pivotal role, especially for small enterprises. Small businesses, unlike large corporations, face unique challenges regarding energy costs, infrastructure, and sustainability obligations. Understanding this shift toward renewable sources, and the benefits it brings, makes this a relevant topic for today’s PTE exams. Candidates are likely to encounter such real-world issues in their test, which require them to grasp both the environmental and economic impacts.
Sample Summarize Written Text Question on Renewable Energy in Small Businesses
Sample Question 1
In recent years, small businesses have increasingly turned to renewable energy as a means to decrease both operational costs and environmental impact. While large corporations have historically driven the adoption of green energy on a large scale, small enterprises are realizing the economic benefits of integrating renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower into their operations. Switching to sustainable energy allows them to lower electricity bills while building a reputation for corporate responsibility. Despite initial investment costs and infrastructural hurdles, renewable energy adoption offers long-term financial advantages, as well as the ability to hedge against fluctuating energy prices. Additionally, businesses that prioritize sustainability are better positioned to comply with ever-evolving regulatory frameworks and attract environmentally conscious consumers.
Summarize the paragraph in one sentence.
Response Samples:
Band 90 Response:
Small businesses are increasingly adopting renewable energy to reduce costs, enhance sustainability, and attract eco-conscious consumers, despite facing initial investment barriers.
Analysis:
- Content: Fully summarizes the key points of renewable energy adoption in small businesses, including economic and environmental benefits, while briefly mentioning obstacles.
- Form: The response is a single sentence, under 75 words.
- Grammar: Correct use of present tense and complex structure.
- Vocabulary: Appropriately uses advanced vocabulary such as “adopting,” “sustainability,” and “eco-conscious.”
- Spelling: No spelling errors observed.
Band 80 Response:
Renewable energy helps small businesses save on costs and improve their environmental reputation, although initial adaptation may be difficult.
Analysis:
- Content: Summarizes cost-saving benefits and sustainability aspects but provides less detail on infrastructural hurdles and consumer attraction.
- Form: Clearly structured within the required word limit.
- Grammar: Tenses and sentence structure are correct.
- Vocabulary: Adequate use of intermediate vocabulary like “adaptation” and “environmental.”
- Spelling: No mistakes in spelling.
Band 70 Response:
Small businesses adopt renewable energy to lower costs and help the environment, but the initial costs are high.
Analysis:
- Content: Covers the basics but omits some key details such as consumer benefits and regulatory aspects.
- Form: Meets the requirement to be a single sentence, well below 75 words.
- Grammar: Simple sentence structure but grammatically correct.
- Vocabulary: Very basic use of words such as “help” and “high” could be improved.
- Spelling: No errors noted.
Sample Question 2
Small businesses are becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental impact and how renewable energy adoption can serve as an effective strategy to mitigate carbon emissions while reducing operational expenses. The decreasing cost of renewable technology, such as solar panels and wind turbines, has made it simpler for these businesses to make the switch, thus lessening their dependency on conventional energy sources like coal and natural gas, which are subject to price volatility. By adopting renewable energy, small enterprises can also enhance their public image, appealing to a growing number of environmentally aware customers and investors who prefer companies that are committed to sustainability.
Summarize the paragraph in one sentence.
Response Samples:
Band 90 Response:
Adopting renewable energy allows small businesses to decrease costs, reduce reliance on traditional energy, improve their environmental image, and attract eco-conscious consumers and investors.
Analysis:
- Content: Accurately captures all key ideas, including cost reduction, environmental benefits, and business reputation enhancements.
- Form: Well within the word limit and grammatically accurate.
- Grammar: Proper use of present tense and complex sentence structure, incorporating multiple clauses.
- Vocabulary: Excellent usage of relevant terms such as “reliance,” “image,” and “eco-conscious.”
- Spelling: No mistakes detected.
Band 80 Response:
Small businesses adopt renewable energy to reduce expenses and improve their environmental footprint, attracting more environmentally-friendly customers.
Analysis:
- Content: Covers core ideas but lacks mention of investor attraction and price volatility associated with traditional energy sources.
- Form: Follows the PTE’s one-sentence requirement.
- Grammar: Correct use of comparative structure.
- Vocabulary: A fair range of intermediate vocabulary like “footprint” and “attracting.”
- Spelling: No errors present.
Band 70 Response:
Renewable energy helps small businesses save money, reduce environmental impact, and make customers happy.
Analysis:
- Content: Covers basic ideas but lacks more complex details like the preference of investors or traditional energy price volatility.
- Form: Single sentence, meeting the length requirement.
- Grammar: Simple structure with clear meaning, though too basic for a higher score.
- Vocabulary: Simple vocabulary such as “make customers happy” could be upgraded.
- Spelling: No issues seen.
Vocabulary and Grammar: Essential Terms
-
Adoption /əˈdɒpʃ(ə)n/ — The action of taking up or using something new.
Example: The adoption of renewable energy can lower operational costs. -
Renewable /rɪˈnjuːəbl/ — Energy sources that can be replenished naturally.
Example: Solar power is one of the most widely used renewable energy sources. -
Infrastructural /ˌɪnfrəˈstrʌktʃərəl/ — Relating to the basic physical systems of a business.
Example: There are infrastructural challenges associated with renewable energy adoption. -
Sustainability /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/ — The ability to be maintained or continued.
Example: Sustainability practices improve a company’s public perception. -
Mitigate /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ — To make less severe or serious.
Example: Small businesses adopt renewable energy to mitigate carbon emissions. -
Volatility /ˌvɒləˈtɪlɪti/ — The tendency of something to change rapidly and unpredictably.
Example: Small businesses adopt renewables to avoid the volatility of traditional energy prices. -
Eco-conscious /ˈiːkəʊ ˈkɒnʃəs/ — Being aware of environmental protection in daily practices.
Example: Eco-conscious consumers often support businesses using renewable energy. -
Corporate responsibility /ˈkɔːpərət rɪˌspɒnsɪˈbɪlɪti/ — Companies’ commitment to acting ethically.
Example: Adopting renewable energy enhances a firm’s corporate responsibility. -
Emissions /ɪˈmɪʃənz/ — The act of releasing something, especially gases or pollutants.
Example: Reducing emissions is a key goal for businesses adopting solar and wind power. -
Hedge /hɛdʒ/ — To limit exposure to risk.
Example: Switching to renewable energy helps businesses hedge against rising utility costs.
Conclusion
Incorporating renewable energy adoption in small businesses into the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE presents a topic common to contemporary real-world discussions. The sample questions provided simulate actual test scenarios, offering candidates a chance to practice formulating strong sentences that summarize critical points accurately. To prepare effectively, it’s essential to focus on grammar, vocabulary, and content relevance, ensuring your answer is concise yet informative. Feel free to leave a comment below if you have further queries or need additional clarification on this exercise.
