Summarize Written Text in PTE: Sustainable Aquaculture and Food Security

Sustainable aquaculture is increasingly recognized as a solution to food security challenges. In the PTE Speaking & Writing section, the Summarize Written Text task often includes topics of global significance like this, making it essential for test-takers to understand and practice summarizing key points clearly and concisely.

Sample Summarize Written Text Practice Task 1: Sustainable Aquaculture

Instructions: You will have a passage. Summarize the passage in one sentence that conveys the main points as accurately as possible. Write one single sentence between 5 and 75 words.

Passage 1:

Aquaculture, or the farming of fish and other aquatic species, has grown rapidly in recent years. As global demand for food rises, experts suggest that aquaculture could contribute significantly to protein intake and food security. However, concerns about environmental impacts, such as habitat destruction and water pollution, emphasize the need for sustainable practices. Sustainable aquaculture aims to meet these challenges by focusing on environmental management, including optimally managing feed inputs, reducing waste production, and conserving aquatic habitats. Thus, it plays an essential role in mitigating food insecurity while maintaining ecological balance.

Model Answers:

High band score (79-90):

Aquaculture has the potential to address global food security through increasing sustainable fish production, yet environmental concerns necessitate practices that carefully manage resources to balance both food needs and ecosystem preservation.

• Content: Comprehensive coverage of both food security and environmental concerns.
• Form: 30 words, appropriate length.
• Grammar: Clear and accurate use of complex sentence structures.
• Vocabulary: Rich and precise word choices like “food security,” “sustainable fish production,” and “ecosystem preservation.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Mid band score (65-78):

Sustainable aquaculture could help meet the global need for food by increasing fish production, although it must address environmental risks like habitat destruction and pollution.

• Content: Covers key points but less detail on how sustainability can address challenges.
• Form: 25 words, appropriate length.
• Grammar: Accurate but simpler in tone.
• Vocabulary: Good but less complex than the high score; still includes terms like “sustainable” and “environmental risks.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Low band score (50-64):

Aquaculture can boost the food supply, but it has environmental problems.

• Content: Lacks depth; too simplistic.
• Form: 10 words, too short.
• Grammar: Grammatically sound but lacks complexity.
• Vocabulary: Very basic, does not demonstrate strong vocabulary skills.
• Spelling: No errors.

Sample Summarize Written Text Practice Task 2: Sustainable Aquaculture for the Future

Passage 2:

As the world strives to feed a growing population, sustainable aquaculture is viewed as a key solution to addressing food security issues. Traditional fishing methods are increasingly unable to meet demand due to overfishing and declining fish stocks. Sustainable aquaculture, unlike commercial fishing, allows for controlled environments that optimize fish health while reducing the reliance on wild populations. Furthermore, with advancements in aquafeed technology, the need for fishmeal made from wild-caught fish is minimized, thereby making sustainable aquaculture not only a viable solution but also an environmentally friendly one.

Model Answers:

High band score (79-90):

Sustainable aquaculture addresses both the growing demand for food and environmental concerns by providing controlled aquatic farming that reduces overfishing and reliance on wild populations, thanks to modern feeding technologies.

• Content: Balances environmental and food security aspects effectively.
• Form: 30 words, well within the word limit.
• Grammar: Complex structure with clear subject-verb agreement.
• Vocabulary: Advanced and appropriate use of words like “controlled aquatic farming,” “overfishing,” and “modern feeding technologies.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Mid band score (65-78):

Sustainable aquaculture can help meet global food needs while minimizing the impact on wild fish populations through better farming and feeding practices.

• Content: Clear, but less detailed on the environmental impact.
• Form: 20 words.
• Grammar: Well-structured but simpler than high-scoring answers.
• Vocabulary: Decent but not as varied, e.g., “better farming” instead of “controlled aquatic farming.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Low band score (50-64):

Sustainable aquaculture improves food security but has environmental challenges.

• Content: Incomplete; does not mention key concepts like technology and controlled farming.
• Form: 10 words.
• Grammar: Simple but lacks complexity.
• Vocabulary: Too basic.
• Spelling: No errors.

Vocabulary and Grammar Breakdown

The following are key vocabulary items that may appear valuable for similar topics in Summarize Written Text tasks:

1. Aquaculture /ˈæk.wəˌkʌl.tʃər/ (n.) The farming of aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and aquatic plants.
   Example: Sustainable aquaculture can alleviate pressure on natural marine resources.

2. Sustainability /səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ (n.) The ability to maintain or improve resources over time.
   Example: Sustainability in aquaculture involves reducing harmful environmental impacts.

3. Overfishing /ˌəʊ.vəˈfɪʃ.ɪŋ/ (n.) The depletion of fish stocks due to fishing at a rate faster than the fish can replenish.
   Example: Overfishing is a significant threat to marine biodiversity.

4. Ecosystem /ˈiː.kəʊˌsɪs.təm/ (n.) A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
   Example: The health of the aquatic ecosystem depends heavily on sustainable practices.

5. Aquafeed /ˈæk.wəˌfiːd/ (n.) Special feed intended for aquatic species in aquaculture.
   Example: Innovations in aquafeed have helped reduce the environmental impact of fish farming.

6. Biodiversity /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.daɪˈvɜː.sɪ.ti/ (n.) The variety and variability of life forms in a particular habitat or ecosystem.
   Example: Aquaculture must prioritize biodiversity by maintaining balance within the ecosystem.

7. Protein intake /ˈproʊ.tiːn ˈɪn.teɪk/ (n.) The amount of protein consumed within a diet.
   Example: Sustainable fish farming can support global protein intake.

8. Habitat destruction /ˈhæb.ɪ.tæt dɪsˈtrʌk.ʃən/ (n.) Harm caused to an organism’s natural home.
   Example: Overfishing and pollution contribute to the habitat destruction of marine life.

9. Mitigate /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ (v.) To make something less severe or intense.
   Example: Sustainable farming practices aim to mitigate environmental impact.

10. Environmental management /ɪnˌvaɪ.rənˈmen.təl ˈmæn.ɪdʒ.mənt/ (n.) The control and monitoring of human impact on the environment.
    Example: Effective environmental management in aquaculture ensures minimal ecological disruption.

Conclusion

The topic of sustainable aquaculture is crucial in many PTE Summarize Written Text tasks, addressing both food security and environmental concerns. Ensuring that you master summarizing such topics concisely will enhance your performance in the exam. Practice is key — try writing more summaries and refining your skills with feedback for improved results. We encourage you to leave any questions or sample summaries in the comments for further discussion!