The topic of climate change and its impact on migration is becoming increasingly prevalent in PTE Academic as one of the Summarize Written Text tasks. Understanding the relationship between these two critical issues is essential not only for preparing for the exam but also for staying informed about one of the most pressing global problems of our time.
In the PTE Summarize Written Text task, you will be asked to condense larger pieces of information into one concise sentence containing the main idea. Here we will present a sample Summarize Written Text question along with scoring bands examples and answers.
Sample Task: Summarize Written Text on Climate Change and Migration
“In recent years, climate change has increasingly contributed to migration, both within and across national borders. Extreme weather conditions—such as droughts, floods, and storms—have displaced thousands of people, especially in low-lying coastal areas and regions highly dependent on agriculture. For instance, prolonged droughts in Africa have drastically reduced crop yields, prompting rural populations to move to urban centers. Similarly, Pacific Island nations face existential threats as rising sea levels engulf their homes, forcing entire communities to relocate to neighboring countries. The situation is further exacerbated by political instability and economic hardship in regions already vulnerable to climate impacts. Consequently, migration due to environmental reasons is becoming a significant policy concern on the international stage, requiring urgent coordinated efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change and assist those displaced.”
Instruction: Summarize the paragraph in one sentence.
High-scoring Sample Answer (Band 79+)
Climate change is increasingly displacing populations globally, with extreme weather, rising sea levels, and droughts forcing people to migrate, especially in vulnerable regions, thus demanding urgent international cooperation.
Analysis:
- Content: The key ideas surrounding the causes (extreme weather, sea levels, droughts) and effects (forced migration and international concern) of climate change on migration are all captured.
- Form: One sentence that respects the word limit.
- Grammar: Correct and appropriately complex sentence construction.
- Vocabulary: Use of precise terms such as “displacing populations,” “vulnerable regions,” and “urgent international cooperation.”
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Mid-scoring Sample Answer (Band 65-78)
Climate change is causing people to migrate because of extreme weather, rising sea levels, and poor agricultural outcomes, particularly in vulnerable areas.
Analysis:
- Content: The primary causes of migration due to climate change are identified, but the response is slightly less holistic than the 79+ answer, as it omits mentioning specific regions and international concern.
- Form: Still one sentence, acceptable within the word count.
- Grammar: Basic but correct usage.
- Vocabulary: Covers basic terms, lacking more advanced word choices such as “displacing populations.”
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Low-scoring Sample Answer (Band Below 65)
Climate change is making people move to other places due to weather problems and making it hard for people to survive.
Analysis:
- Content: The response is somewhat relevant but lacks detailed connections between climate change and specific causes of migration like droughts or sea-level rise.
- Form: The sentence is incomplete and could be longer to meet requirements.
- Grammar: Basic and somewhat awkward phrasing.
- Vocabulary: Very limited vocabulary without any precise terminology such as “extreme weather” or “vulnerable regions.”
- Spelling: No spelling issues but clarity and precision are lacking.
Vocabulary and Grammar Review
To effectively answer Summarize Written Text questions, especially on complex topics like climate change and migration, it is essential to master specific vocabulary. Below are ten advanced words from the sample task, along with their phonetics, meanings, and example uses:
-
Displace /dɪsˈpleɪs/:
Meaning: To force someone to leave their home due to natural or man-made causes.
Example: Rising sea levels are displacing thousands of coastal residents. -
Prolonged /prəˈlɒŋd/:
Meaning: Continuing for an extended period or lasting longer than expected.
Example: Prolonged droughts have severely impacted agricultural production. -
Disaster-prone /dɪˈzɑːstə-prəʊn/:
Meaning: More likely to experience natural disasters.
Example: Disaster-prone regions face higher risks due to climate change. -
Crop yield /krɒp jɪːld/:
Meaning: The amount of crops produced per unit area of land.
Example: Drought has led to a sharp decline in crop yields across the region. -
Existential /ˌɛgzɪˈstɛnʃ(ə)l/:
Meaning: Relating to existence, often used to describe threats that endanger the survival of a community or species.
Example: For many Pacific Island nations, sea-level rise poses an existential threat. -
Mitigate /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/:
Meaning: To lessen the severity or impact of something.
Example: International efforts are needed to mitigate the effects of climate change. -
Relocate /ˌriːlə(ʊ)ˈkeɪt/:
Meaning: To move to a different place.
Example: Many families had to relocate after their village was flooded. -
Rural /ˈrʊər(ə)l/:
Meaning: Relating to the countryside rather than the city.
Example: Rural areas are often the most affected by climate-induced crop failures. -
Political instability /pəˈlɪtɪkl ˌɪnstəˈbɪləti/:
Meaning: The likelihood of government collapse or significant change due to political issues.
Example: Migration is exacerbated by political instability in regions vulnerable to climate change. -
Policy /ˈpɒlɪsi/:
Meaning: A plan of action adopted by an individual or a government.
Example: Governments need new policies to address climate-induced displacement.
Global migration issues due to climate change
Conclusion
Climate change and migration is a highly relevant topic in the PTE Summarize Written Text section, reflecting real-world concerns that are increasingly making their way into global discussions. Practice summarizing such challenging topics to improve your ability to condense complex ideas into clear, concise sentences. For further practice, check out related topics such as Climate change’s effect on agriculture and Climate change and migration patterns.
