In the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE Academic, the Summarize Written Text task is essential for assessing your ability to condense information from a passage into a single sentence. Renewable energy technologies are becoming increasingly important, especially in developing rural areas where access to the national grid is often limited. In this article, we will explore sample summarize written text tasks based on the theme Renewable Energy Technologies in Rural Areas to help you practice and improve your skills for the PTE exam.
Summarize Written Text Task on Renewable Energy Technologies
Sample Question:
Read the following passage and summarize it in one sentence. You have 10 minutes to complete this task. Your response should be between 5-75 words.
Renewable energy technologies such as solar, wind, and small-scale hydropower are crucial solutions for providing electricity to rural areas across the globe, where connection to central power grids is either unavailable or unreliable. These technologies have the potential to significantly improve living standards by enabling constant access to clean energy, thus supporting economic development, enhancing education, and reducing healthcare challenges through reliable power for hospitals and clinics. In addition, renewable energy is eco-friendly and helps in reducing the carbon footprint, compared to traditional energy sources like coal or diesel. Although the initial investment cost can be high, the long-term financial and environmental benefits often make renewable energy a more sustainable solution for powering remote communities.
Directions: Summarize the paragraph into one sentence.
Response Samples:
Band 90 Response:
Renewable energy technologies like solar, wind, and hydropower are essential for improving the quality of life in rural areas by providing an eco-friendly, sustainable energy source, despite high initial costs, that supports economic development, healthcare, and education.
- Content: This answer covers all key points such as the specific renewable technologies, the benefits for rural areas, and the financial sustainability.
- Form: Correct length and a single sentence.
- Grammar: Flawless grammar with accurate subject-verb agreement.
- Vocabulary: Excellent range of vocabulary including “sustainable,” “eco-friendly,” “healthcare,” and “economic development.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Renewable energy technology benefits for rural areas
Band 75 Response:
Solar, wind, and hydropower provide sustainable energy in rural areas, improving life quality by supporting healthcare and education, though initial costs can be high.
- Content: Almost complete, but lacking detail on specific benefits like environmental impact and economic development.
- Form: Single sentence.
- Grammar: Correct use of grammar; however, a more balanced sentence with details would improve the structure.
- Vocabulary: Fairly varied, though “life quality” could be improved by “standards of living.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 65 Response:
Renewable energy helps rural areas by providing electricity and improving healthcare, although it has high investment costs.
- Content: This answer includes some correct information but lacks specifics about the types of renewable energy and the broader impacts on education and the environment.
- Form: Single sentence, though very brief.
- Grammar: Basic but correct grammar.
- Vocabulary: Limited, with simpler choices like “helps” and “providing electricity.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
Here, we break down 10 important vocabulary words from the passage along with their usage to help improve your language for the PTE:
| Vocabulary | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Renewable | /rɪˈnuːəbl/ | Capable of being replaced naturally | Solar and wind power are some of the most popular renewable sources of energy. |
| Hydropower | /ˈhaɪdrəʊpaʊər/ | Electricity generated by water power | Many rural areas have begun using hydropower to generate electricity. |
| Carbon footprint | /ˈkɑːrbən ˈfʊtˌprɪnt/ | The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted | Reducing our carbon footprint is crucial for mitigating climate change. |
| Eco-friendly | /ˈiːkəʊ ˈfrɛndli/ | Not harmful to the environment | Solar panels are considered an eco-friendly energy solution. |
| Unreliable | /ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbl/ | Not consistently good in quality or performance | Many rural areas face unreliable power grids. |
| Investment cost | /ɪnˈvɛstmənt kɒst/ | The amount of money invested to generate revenue | High investment cost is one of the barriers for renewable technology adoption in rural areas. |
| Clinic | /ˈklɪnɪk/ | A healthcare facility primarily used for outpatient services | Solar energy can power clinics in remote regions, ensuring reliable healthcare. |
| Grid | /ɡrɪd/ | A network for delivering electricity | Many rural communities are not connected to the national power grid. |
| Sustainability | /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/ | The ability to maintain or support over the long term | Renewable energy promotes sustainability in remote regions. |
| Traditional energy | /trəˈdɪʃənl ˈɛnərdʒi/ | Energy sources like coal and oil | Traditional energy sources contribute heavily to carbon emissions. |
Vocabulary table for renewable energy technologies
Conclusion
In this article, we have examined how renewable energy technologies, particularly in rural areas, form a common theme in the PTE Summarize Written Text task. The sample question offered a realistic example of the kind of passage and language candidates may face in the real exam. Practicing with this type of content can greatly improve your chances of excelling in this section. As renewable energy continues to intersect with issues such as Renewable energy and energy poverty and Renewable energy in rural development, it’s helpful for candidates to be familiar with the topic.
Feel free to practice summarizing different topics related to Renewable energy for off-grid communities and provide your versions in the comments!
