Space exploration is a highly anticipated topic in Summarize Written Text tasks in the PTE Writing section. This article covers the most critical elements surrounding its environmental effects and presents practice samples with detailed feedback for different proficiency levels.
Sample Task 1: Environmental Effects of Space Exploration
Prompt: Summarize the passage below in one sentence using no more than 75 words.
Space exploration has grown rapidly over the past decades, contributing significantly to scientific advancements, inspiring innovation in communications, and fostering intergovernmental cooperation. However, this expansion comes with an environmental toll. Launches of rockets release harmful substances into the atmosphere, exacerbating global warming. Additionally, the debris generated by space missions accumulates as space junk, posing risks to both astronauts and satellites. Such space activities also have the potential to irreversibly damage Earth’s upper atmosphere.
Model Responses
Band 90:
The rapid growth of space exploration has contributed to scientific advancement and international collaboration but also resulted in environmental consequences such as atmospheric pollution, global warming, and the accumulation of space debris.
- Content: Excellent—includes all key points (growth of exploration, benefits, environmental harm, debris).
- Form: Perfect.
- Grammar: Excellent.
- Vocabulary: Precise and diverse.
- Spelling: No issues noted.
Band 80:
Space exploration has enhanced science and communication, though it also leads to environmental problems like rocket emissions and space debris, threatening both satellites and Earth’s atmosphere.
- Content: Very good—mentions key ideas but lacks some slight details on “intergovernmental cooperation.”
- Form: Perfect.
- Grammar: Very good—some minor variation can be added.
- Vocabulary: Good, but lacks variety.
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 70:
Although space exploration has brought advancements in science, it causes environmental harm through harmful emissions and space debris.
- Content: Good—covered the basics but missing details about both communication and international cooperation.
- Form: Perfect.
- Grammar: Good.
- Vocabulary: Limited range with some repetitive words.
- Spelling: Correct.
Band 60:
Space exploration advances science but also harms the environment with emissions and junk.
- Content: Poor coverage of key points: missed the aspect of cooperation and the effect on the atmosphere.
- Form: Correct.
- Grammar: Simple but correct; lacks complexity.
- Vocabulary: Limited with very few topic-specific terms.
- Spelling: No errors found.
Sample Task 2: Environmental Concerns from Space Missions
Prompt: Summarize the passage below in one sentence using no more than 75 words.
With the rise of commercial space endeavors, concerns about space debris and environmental risks intensify. Thousands of satellites and other equipment orbiting the Earth could heighten the chance of collisions and create new hazards for operational spacecraft. Additionally, hazards stemming from rocket fuel emissions and the depletion of the ozone layer only worsen the harmful impact space missions have on Earth’s environment. Unless regulated, space activities may contribute to runaway climate change and irreversible damage to the planet.
Model Responses
Band 90:
The rapid increase in commercial space missions exacerbates the risk of space debris collisions while contributing to environmental damage on Earth due to rocket emissions and ozone depletion, potentially leading to long-term climate impact.
- Content: Excellent—covers all essential points.
- Form: Perfect.
- Grammar: Complex and appropriate.
- Vocabulary: Advanced and well-used vocabulary.
- Spelling: No mistakes noted.
Band 80:
The growth of commercial space missions raises concerns over space debris and environmental degradation from rocket emissions and ozone layer damage.
- Content: Good—some specific impact (e.g., climate change) is underdeveloped.
- Form: Correct.
- Grammar: Well constructed but slightly simpler.
- Vocabulary: Good variety.
- Spelling: Correct.
Band 70:
Commercial space activities increase the risk of space debris and environmental threats like ozone damage and emissions.
- Content: Acceptable—focused on the main point but missed details on long-term harm.
- Form: Accurate.
- Grammar: Simple but correct.
- Vocabulary: Limited range.
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 60:
As commercial space missions grow, emissions and space junk damage the Earth’s environment.
- Content: Key points missing—over-simplified, lacking references to details like ozone depletion and the larger scale impact.
- Form: Correct.
- Grammar: Basic sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Poor range.
- Spelling: No mistakes.
Vocabulary and Grammar Highlights
Here are 10 challenging words related to the topic Environmental Effects Of Space Exploration along with their meanings and usage.
| Word | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debris | /dəˈbriː/ | Fragments or remains of something that has been destroyed | Space debris can endanger operational satellites. |
| Exacerbate | /ɪɡˈzæsərˌbeɪt/ | To make a problem worse | Rocket emissions exacerbate the greenhouse effect. |
| Depletion | /dɪˈpliːʃən/ | Reduction in quantity, particularly of natural resources | Ozone depletion is a serious risk from rocket launches. |
| Hazard | /ˈhæzərd/ | A potential source of danger | Space junk presents a hazard to functioning space equipment. |
| Runaway | /ˈrʌnəˌweɪ/ | Out of control | Runaway climate change is exacerbated by emissions from launches. |
| Pollution | /pəˈluːʃən/ | Introduction of harmful materials into the environment | Rocket fuel pollution affects both the atmosphere and wildlife. |
| Ozone Layer | /ˈoʊzoʊn ˌleɪər/ | A part of Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs the majority of the sun’s ultraviolet rays | Widespread ozone layer damage could lead to more radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. |
| Commercialization | /kəˌmɜːrʃələˈzeɪʃən/ | Introduction of goods and services for profit in new areas | The commercialization of space has caused increased concern over environmental effects. |
| Regulation | /ˌrɛɡjəˈleɪʃn/ | Rules put in place to control an activity | Government regulations are necessary for sustainable space exploration. |
| Inevitably | /ɪnˈevɪtəblɪ/ | Certain to happen; unavoidable | Without regulation, space debris will inevitably continue to grow. |
Conclusion
By practicing Summarize Written Text tasks related to the environmental effects of space exploration, candidates can enhance their performance in the PTE exam’s Speaking and Writing section. This topic is particularly relevant to real-world discussions about space activities and their impact on the environment, making it both educational and examination-focused. For optimal results, continue refining responses and engaging with a variety of practice texts. Feel free to leave your comments or share insights below.
