In the PTE exam, one critical task in the Speaking & Writing section is the Summarize Written Text. Many test-takers find this task challenging, especially when dealing with complex topics like Education Equality In Developing Countries. To help you better prepare, we have designed multiple practice tasks based on real-world issues related to this theme.
Addressing the problem of education inequality is crucial, especially in the rapidly changing landscape of the 21st century. This topic frequently appears in many variations on the PTE exam, and understanding it can help you score higher. In this article, we will dive into several practice questions and provide detailed responses based on different scoring bands to guide your progress. You may also want to explore related themes such as Education’s role in sustainable development and The digital divide in education.
Practice Task: Summarize Written Text based on Education Equality
Task 1:
“Education inequality remains a significant challenge in many developing countries where social and economic disparities hinder access to quality education. In these regions, factors such as gender inequality, poverty, and lack of infrastructure result in unequal opportunities for girls and marginalized communities. While some efforts have been made to promote educational access, significant gaps remain, particularly in rural areas where educational resources are scarce. Furthermore, educational attainment is influenced by economic conditions, where children from wealthier families often have access to better schools and learning materials. Strengthening educational systems by investing in infrastructure, teacher training, and inclusive policies is vital for bridging the education gap.”
Write one sentence summarizing the paragraph above.
Answer by Band Points:
-
High Band (80 – 90)
Educational inequality in developing countries remains a challenge due to factors such as gender inequality, economic disparities, and lack of infrastructure, with efforts needed to strengthen education systems and ensure equal access for all students.
Content: Excellent representation of the text’s main idea.
Form: Correct word count and structure.
Grammar: Accurate grammar and complex sentence structure.
Vocabulary: Excellent range with relevant vocabulary, such as “economic disparities” and “inclusive policies.”
Spelling: No spelling errors. -
Mid Band (65 – 79)
Educational inequality in developing countries is mainly caused by economic factors, gender inequality, and lack of good infrastructure.
Content: Adequate inclusion of essential points but lacks details.
Form: Encompasses the general idea within the word limit requirements.
Grammar: Simple sentence structure with minor flaws.
Vocabulary: Basic but relevant vocabulary.
Spelling: No spelling errors. -
Low Band (50 – 64)
In developing countries, education inequality is a problem due to poverty and differences in the education system.
Content: Misses out on key elements such as gender issues and infrastructure challenges.
Form: Meets basic requirements.
Grammar: Fairly simple grammatical structure.
Vocabulary: Limited range and repetitions.
Spelling: No spelling errors. -
Very Low Band (Below 50)
There is no equal education in poor countries because of money problems.
Content: Misses most of the key points from the text.
Form: Too simplistic and lacks proper detail.
Grammar: Many errors, overly basic sentence structure.
Vocabulary: Very limited use of advanced words.
Spelling: No spelling errors.
Task 2:
“Despite some progress in closing the gender gap in education, many girls in developing countries still face significant barriers to attending school. Cultural, economic, and social norms often prioritize boys’ education over girls’. Furthermore, early marriage, child labor, and lack of access to sanitary products contribute to the dropout rate among girls, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas. In contrast, boys typically have uninterrupted access to education, leading to a substantial disparity in educational outcomes between genders. International organizations and local governments have attempted to address these barriers, yet much work remains to be done to achieve true gender equality in education.”
Write one sentence summarizing the paragraph above.
Answer by Band Points:
-
High Band (80 – 90)
Girls in developing countries still face educational barriers first driven by gender norms, early marriage, child labor, and poor sanitary conditions, with both international and local efforts required to bridge the gender education gap.
Content: Excellent overview capturing the complexity of the situation.
Form: Correct sentence structure and word count.
Grammar: Accurate use of advanced grammar forms.
Vocabulary: Appropriate and varied.
Spelling: No errors. -
Mid Band (65 – 79)
In developing countries, girls face many challenges such as cultural expectations, lack of resources, and child labor, which prevent them from getting as much education as boys do.
Content: Covers the primary issues but lacks specifics like early marriage.
Form: Acceptable sentence within limits.
Grammar: Adequate grammar, though somewhat basic.
Vocabulary: Limited variety.
Spelling: Correct. -
Low Band (50 – 64)
Many girls in poor countries drop out of school because of marriage, labor, and other problems.
Content: Omits key points and provides a vague overview.
Form: Short but meets the summation requirement.
Grammar: Basic sentence structure with minor mistakes.
Vocabulary: Simple and lacking variation.
Spelling: No errors.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
Here are 10 critical vocabulary words and expressions from the passages:
-
Infrastructure /ˈɪn.frəˌstrʌk.tʃər/ (n): Basic physical and organizational structures needed for operation.
Example: The lack of educational infrastructure in rural areas limits students’ opportunities. -
Disparities /dɪˈspær.ɪ.tiz/ (n): Inequalities or differences between groups.
Example: Disparities in educational access create unfair opportunities for children. -
Inclusive /ɪnˈkluː.sɪv/ (adj): Open to everyone, including all groups.
Example: A more inclusive educational system supports marginalized communities. -
Marginalized /ˈmɑːrdʒɪnəˌlaɪzd/ (adj): Treated as insignificant or peripheral.
Example: Marginalized communities often lack access to basic education. -
Attainment /əˈteɪn.mənt/ (n): The action or fact of achieving a goal.
Example: Educational attainment is higher in wealthier families. -
Barriers /ˈbær.i.ərz/ (n): Obstacles or difficulties that prevent progress.
Example: Many barriers prevent girls from continuing their education. -
Norm /nɔːrm/ (n): Accepted standards or expectations in a society.
Example: Social norms in some areas often discourage girls from attending school. -
Dropout /ˈdrɒp.aʊt/ (n): A person who stops going to school before completing their education.
Example: The dropout rate among girls is high in rural areas. -
Sanitary /ˈsænɪtəri/ (adj): Relating to health or cleanliness.
Example: Lack of sanitary products in schools hinders girls’ attendance. -
Bridging /ˈbrɪʤɪŋ/ (v): To connect or bring together to make something smaller, especially a gap.
Example: Bridging the educational gap requires substantial policy changes.
Conclusion
In summary, mastering the Summarize Written Text task within the PTE can feel overwhelming, especially when facing topics like education equality in developing countries. However, with practice and diligent work on both vocabulary and summarization techniques, you can excel in this section. The exercises provided here reflect common themes in real PTE exams – keep practicing to increase your confidence. For further exploration, visit Gender equality in global education or delve into Economic inequality between developed and developing nations to enhance your knowledge.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or need more practice!
