Summarize Written Text: Economic Growth versus Environmental Protection in PTE

The topic of “Economic Growth Versus Environmental Protection” is commonly seen in the Summarize Written Text section of the Speaking & Writing module in the PTE Academic Test. This particular subject presents challenges to test-takers as it involves topics that may seem contradictory. However, it provides a great opportunity to explore complex issues using concise language and a clear, effective summary.

In this article, we will give several examples of high-quality Summarize Written Text prompts related to this theme, along with band-score-specific responses. By practicing with these examples, you will improve your comprehension, summarization skills, and prepare yourself for the actual PTE exam.

Sample Summarize Written Text Prompts on Economic Growth and Environmental Protection

Below are model questions that closely resemble the real tasks seen in the PTE Summarize Written Text section. You will be asked to summarize the following paragraphs in one single sentence, ranging from 5 to 75 words.

Prompt 1: Environmental Policy and Economic Development

The ever-increasing demand for economic expansion has forced many governments around the world to overlook environmental protection in favor of industrial progress. Nevertheless, ignoring these environmental concerns can lead to disastrous long-term consequences, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and human health problems. However, it is argued that incorporating sustainable practices and cleaner technologies into economic policies could allow for both economic growth and environmental preservation. Policymakers are increasingly recognizing the necessity of balancing both priorities to achieve overall societal well-being.

Instruction: Summarize the paragraph in one sentence.

Band 90 Response

While economic growth has led to neglect of environmental concerns, policymakers are increasingly realizing the importance of merging sustainable practices with economic goals to prevent long-term environmental consequences.

Analysis:

• Content: The summary captures the essential ideas, namely the trade-off between economic growth and environmental protection, while addressing proposed solutions.
• Form: It is written within the given word limit.
• Grammar: Correct sentence structure with no punctuation or syntax errors.
• Vocabulary: Usage of words like “neglect,” “merging,” “sustainable practices,” and “long-term consequences” indicates appropriate academic vocabulary.
• Spelling: No spelling mistakes.

Economic growth tied to industrial pollution and environmental harm.

Band 65 Response

Economic growth contributes to the degradation of the environment, but policies that combine sustainability with progress can prevent negative effects.

Analysis:

• Content: Most key points are covered, with a partial mention of solutions to the issue.
• Form: Sentence fits the required word count.
• Grammar: Grammar is correct, though some refinement in structure would make it stronger.
• Vocabulary: Good use of relevant vocabulary; however, the phrasing is somewhat more generic.
• Spelling: No spelling issues.

Band 50 Response

Economic growth can harm the environment, but including green policies will help reduce the damage.

Analysis:

• Content: Oversimplifies the ideas presented in the text, missing the specific emphasis on sustainable practices and technological advancements.
• Form: Sentence is concise but lacks depth.
• Grammar: Grammatically correct, but basic.
• Vocabulary: Could use more advanced vocabulary to describe the issues more accurately.
• Spelling: No issues with spelling.

Prompt 2: Balancing GDP Growth and Climate Regulations

Economic progress, typically measured by Gross Domestic Product (GDP), often clashes with environmental sustainability goals. Striving for a higher GDP may require increased industrial activity and resource consumption, which leads to higher carbon emissions and environmental degradation. However, some countries have successfully integrated strong climate regulations without hindering economic performance. The challenge lies in designing policies that encourage economic growth but mitigate environmental impacts, such as renewable energy investments and emission controls.

Instruction: Summarize the paragraph in one sentence.

Band 90 Response

Although economic growth and environmental sustainability often conflict, certain nations have demonstrated that proactive climate regulations and strategic policies can drive growth while minimizing damage through renewable energy and emissions control.

Analysis:

• Content: The answer includes all the main points regarding GDP growth, regulation, and environmental mitigation strategies.
• Form: Sentence meets the length requirements and maintains clarity.
• Grammar: Complex but grammatically sound, with excellent structure.
• Vocabulary: Rich language with sophisticated academic terms like “proactive,” “mitigating,” and “emissions control.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Renewable energy to balance GDP growth while fighting climate change.

Band 65 Response

While GDP growth often harms the environment, some countries have implemented regulations that balance economic goals with climate protection.

Analysis:

• Content: Captures the essence of the original text but is less detailed about how countries achieve this balance.
• Form: Within the word count.
• Grammar: Sentence is grammatically correct but could benefit from more complex structures.
• Vocabulary: Appropriate, though slightly basic.
• Spelling: No spelling mistakes.

Band 50 Response

Growing GDP can hurt the environment, but some countries have found ways to protect it without stopping growth.

Analysis:

• Content: The key idea is addressed but lacks specificity and depth.
• Form: Within the required range.
• Grammar: Basic sentence structure.
• Vocabulary: Uses simple and general vocabulary; misses opportunities to include academic words.
• Spelling: No issues with spelling.

Prompt 3: The Dilemma of Development and Nature

As global economies grow, the need for mass production and resource extraction has led to significant environmental disruption, including deforestation, water scarcity, and pollution. Economic stakeholders argue that such developments are necessary to meet the demands of a growing population, but environmentalists counter that unchecked growth will ultimately result in severe consequences for the planet. This ongoing tension between development and environmental preservation is one of the central issues in modern policymaking.

Instruction: Summarize the paragraph in one sentence.

Band 90 Response

The tension between economic development and environmental protection remains a key challenge, as economic stakeholders advocate for mass production to meet population demands while environmentalists warn of the long-term dangers of unchecked growth.

Analysis:

• Content: Thoroughly covers the main points, making it clear that the tension exists between economic growth and environmental impact.
• Form: The sentence fits within the word limit while maintaining coherence.
• Grammar: The sentence structure is complex and grammatically correct.
• Vocabulary: Effective use of high-level vocabulary such as “unchecked growth” and “tension.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Environmental disruption from economic growth caused by deforestation and industrial activity.

Band 65 Response

While global economies grow to meet population demand, environmentalists argue that the damage to nature from this growth is unsustainable.

Analysis:

• Content: Covers the majority of key points though without full detail on the stakeholders’ perspectives.
• Form: Meets the word count.
• Grammar: Good sentence structure but could benefit from more complexity.
• Vocabulary: General but relevant vocabulary.
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 50 Response

Economic growth helps meet population demand, but it causes environmental damage.

Analysis:

• Content: Significant oversimplification with a lack of balance between the parties involved in the discussion.
• Form: Very concise but misses depth.
• Grammar: Basic sentence structure.
• Vocabulary: Simple and unsophisticated vocabulary.
• Spelling: No issues with spelling.

Vocabulary and Grammar Breakdown

Here are some essential words related to Economic Growth versus Environmental Protection which may help improve vocabulary for the PTE exam:

1. Sustainability /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/ – The ability to maintain ecological and economic balance.

   • Example: Sustainability policies are imperative to future generations.

2. Biodiversity /ˌbaɪoʊdaɪˈvɜrsɪti/ – Variety of life in the world or in a particular ecosystem.

   • Example: Cutting down forests reduces biodiversity considerably.

3. Mitigate /ˈmɪtəˌgeɪt/ – To make less severe, serious, or painful.

   • Example: Regulations can mitigate environmental harm.

4. Emissions /ɪˈmɪʃənz/ – Pollutants released into the air.

   • Example: Reducing carbon emissions is critical for protecting the environment.

5. Deforestation /diˌfɔrəˈsteɪʃən/ – The clearing of trees, transforming forested areas into non-forest land.

   • Example: Deforestation contributes to the greenhouse effect.

6. Renewable /rɪˈnuəbəl/ – Resources that can be replenished naturally.

   • Example: Renewable energy sources include wind and solar power.

7. Ecosystem /ˈiːkəʊsɪstəm/ – A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.

   • Example: Pollution disrupts natural ecosystems.

8. Stakeholders /ˈsteɪkˌhəʊldərz/ – Individuals or groups that are affected by or can affect the outcome of a project.

   • Example: Stakeholders must be involved in environmental policy decisions.

9. Industrialization /ɪnˌdʌstriəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ – The process of developing industries in a country.

   • Example: Industrialization sparked environmental changes worldwide.

10. Ecological /ˌekəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/ – Relating to or concerned with the relation of living organisms to one another and their physical surroundings.

    • Example: The ecological impact of pollution can be devastating.

Conclusion

The topic of economic growth versus environmental protection is highly relevant in the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam. Through this article, you have been given multiple examples of task prompts and responses from different band levels. By practicing these, you will refine your summarization skills and be better prepared for your PTE exam. Keep challenging yourself, and feel free to share your thoughts or practice texts in the comment section.