In the PTE exam, the Summarize Written Text task not only demands excellent comprehension skills but also the ability to distill key information accurately into a concise summary. One prominent topic seen frequently in the exam, and highly relevant to global discussions, is Renewable Energy Storage Solutions Development. In this article, we provide a detailed Summarize Written Text practice task, focusing on this essential topic.
Let’s dive into a sample question and analyze the model answers based on PTE’s scoring criteria such as Content, Form, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Spelling.
Sample Summarize Written Text Question: Renewable Energy Storage Solutions Development
“As renewable energy becomes a cornerstone in the global push for sustainable development, the need for effective storage solutions has grown exponentially. Unlike conventional energy sources like coal or natural gas, which can deliver consistent power on demand, renewable sources – especially wind and solar – face challenges due to their intermittent nature. On days when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow, these sources fail to generate energy, leading to potential gaps in the supply grid. To address this gap, advanced energy storage technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro storage, are crucial. Not only do they store energy generated during peak production times, but they can also release the stored energy when demand peaks or generation falters. Moreover, the development of scalable and cost-efficient storage systems is fundamental for achieving complete energy independence and advancing the renewable sector. By improving storage infrastructure, nations can reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, strengthen grid resilience, and move closer to carbon neutrality.”
Summarize the paragraph using no more than one sentence.
Model Answers:
Band Score 90 Response (Highly proficient response)
Advanced renewable energy storage solutions, such as lithium-ion batteries and pumped hydro, are essential in addressing the intermittent nature of renewable resources like wind and solar, enabling energy independence, strengthening grid resilience, and moving towards carbon neutrality.
Analysis:
- Content: The answer comprehensively captures all the key points, addressing the main idea of the text – the challenges of renewable energy intermittency and the role of advanced storage systems.
- Form: The response is within the word limit.
- Grammar: The sentence structure is complex but accurate, with no grammatical errors.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate use of advanced terms like intermittent, grid resilience, and carbon neutrality.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band Score 80 Response (Proficient response)
Energy storage solutions like lithium-ion batteries are important to solve the intermittency problem of renewable energy resources, making energy more reliable and helping with grid and environmental goals.
Analysis:
- Content: While still strong, this response omits details about specific benefits like energy independence and carbon neutrality.
- Form: The form is correct, and the sentence is concise.
- Grammar: Sentences maintain good grammar with minor simplifications.
- Vocabulary: Vocabulary choice is simpler but contextually correct.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band Score 70 Response (Competent response)
Renewable energy cannot consistently produce power, so storage technologies like batteries are needed to keep power available when needed.
Analysis:
- Content: This response presents the central issue but lacks depth, omitting key concepts like grid resilience and carbon neutrality.
- Form: Adheres to the word limit.
- Grammar: Basic grammar is correct, but lacks complexity.
- Vocabulary: The vocabulary is too simple and misses important terminologies required for a higher score.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band Score 60 Response (Basic response)
Solar and wind energy are not reliable, so storage technology is needed.
Analysis:
- Content: The response is very minimal and doesn’t cover key details like specific storage technologies or the broader advantages of these solutions.
- Form: Within the required format but overly simplistic.
- Grammar: Basic grammar with no errors, yet somewhat limited in complexity.
- Vocabulary: Very basic vocabulary, no complex terms used.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Key Vocabulary from This Section
Below are 10 relevant vocabulary words or phrases from the task, each accompanied by its meaning, pronunciation, and example sentence.
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Intermittent /ˌɪn.təˈmɪt.ənt/: (adj.) Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.
Example: The intermittent supply from solar panels complicates energy generation. -
Resilience /rɪˈzɪl.i.əns/: (n.) The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness, especially of power systems in maintaining reliability.
Example: Grid resilience helps ensure constant power supply during energy failures. -
Scalable /ˈskeɪ.lə.bəl/: (adj.) Capable of being easily increased in size or scale to meet demand.
Example: Scalable energy storage systems can significantly enhance power grids. -
Fossil Fuels /ˈfɒs.əl fjuːəlz/: (n.) Natural fuels such as coal or gas formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.
Example: Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels is key to achieving carbon neutrality. -
Lithium-ion Battery /ˈlɪθiəm aɪən ˈbæt.ər.i/: (n.) A type of rechargeable battery widely used for portable electronics and electric vehicles.
Example: Lithium-ion batteries have become essential for energy storage. -
Carbon Neutrality /ˈkɑː.bən njuːˈtræl.ɪ.ti/: (n.) The state of balancing carbon emissions and removal to achieve net-zero carbon output.
Example: Achieving carbon neutrality is a major goal for many countries. -
Peak Production /piːk prəˈdʌk.ʃən/: (n.) The highest point of energy production, often during times of ample resources.
Example: Energy storage systems store excess power generated during peak production. -
Independence /ˌɪn.dɪˈpen.dəns/: (n.) Freedom from reliance on external forces; in energy systems, refers to energy self-sufficiency.
Example: Storing renewable energy is key to establishing energy independence. -
Grid /ɡrɪd/: (n.) A network for delivering electricity from producers to consumers.
Example: Upgrading our energy storage solutions is critical to a stable power grid. -
Hydro Storage /ˈhaɪ.drəʊ stɔːr.ɪdʒ/: (n.) The use of water in elevated locations to store potential energy, later converted into electrical energy.
Example: Pumped-hydro storage is one of the most reliable large-scale storage solutions.
Conclusion
The sample Summarize Written Text question discussed in this article offers a realistic practice scenario that is closely aligned with actual PTE test content. Topical areas like renewable energy storage solutions development are not only critical for global sustainability efforts but likely to appear in test questions due to their relevance.
To further strengthen your skills in this task, make sure to explore other key topics related to renewable energy, such as Renewable energy integration into power grids and Renewable energy and energy independence. Practice consistently, review your errors, and maintain an analytical approach to sentence structure to gradually improve your band scores.
Feel free to leave a comment below about your PTE preparation and any questions you may have.
