Summarize Written Text in PTE: Microplastics in the Food Chain

Microplastics have increasingly become a critical point of discussion in recent years, especially when we talk about their effects on the environment and human health. In today’s PTE preparation, we’ll focus on how the topic of Microplastics In The Food Chain can appear in the Summarize Written Text section of the exam. This section requires test takers to provide a concise summary of a given passage in one sentence. Microplastics in the food chain is not only a significant topic in environmental discussions but also appears in real-world testing scenarios, so let’s explore relevant sample questions and answers to improve your test performance.

Sample Summarize Written Text – Microplastics in the Food Chain

✔️ Sample Summarize Written Text Question 1

Microplastics, tiny pieces of plastic less than 5 millimeters in length, are widespread in oceans, rivers, lakes, and even soil. These particles enter the natural environment through various channels, including plastic waste, cosmetics, and clothing fibers. Unfortunately, microplastics do not decompose easily, and instead, they accumulate in the environment, becoming part of the food chain through small marine organisms like plankton, which are consumed by larger predators, including fish, shellfish, and eventually humans. This bioaccumulation of microplastics raises concerns about potential health impacts on the human body, as consumption of contaminated seafood might lead to long-term consequences.

Task: Summarize the passage in one sentence.

🔎 Answers Based on Band Scores

Band Score 90 (High Band)

Microplastics enter the food chain via small marine organisms consumed by animals and humans, posing potential health risks due to bioaccumulation.

• Content: The full scope of the passage is covered, including the entry of microplastics into the food chain and the potential health risks.
• Form: One single sentence with the required word count (5-75 words).
• Grammar: Grammatically correct sentence; no errors.
• Vocabulary: Appropriate use of precise terms like “bioaccumulation” and “potential health risks.”
• Spelling: No spelling mistakes.

Band Score 75 (Mid-High Band)

Microplastics are present in the environment and move through the food chain into humans, posing health risks.

• Content: The main ideas are covered, but details like “bioaccumulation through small marine organisms” are missing.
• Form: Correct format with a single sentence.
• Grammar: No grammatical errors.
• Vocabulary: Good use of terms, but less specific than the high band response.
• Spelling: No spelling mistakes.

Band Score 60 (Mid-Low Band)

Microplastics end up in the food chain, and humans eat them from seafood.

• Content: The general idea is conveyed but lacks specific information about the source, such as marine organisms and the health risks involved.
• Form: Less detailed, but still a valid single sentence.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure without errors.
• Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary that doesn’t fully capture the complexity of the passage.
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band Score 50 (Low Band)

Microplastics are dangerous because they end up in our food through the sea.

• Content: The idea of microplastics reaching human food is mentioned, but other important information is excluded.
• Form: The statement is vague and lacks details.
• Grammar: Minor grammatical issues.
• Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary with ambiguity.
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Sample Summarize Written Text Question 2

Microplastics have been detected in nearly every part of the environment, including aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. When plastic debris breaks down, these tiny fragments are ingested by fish, birds, and other wildlife, eventually making their way into the global food supply. For example, studies have shown traces of microplastics in seafood like shrimp, mussels, and even sea salt. While the exact health impacts on humans are still being researched, the broad exposure to microplastics has raised alarm among scientific and health communities worldwide, highlighting the need for further investigation and regulatory action.

Task: Summarize the passage in one sentence.

🔎 Answers Based on Band Scores

Band Score 90 (High Band)

Microplastics are pervasive in the environment, entering the global food supply through wildlife and seafood, and raising concerns about potential health risks to humans.

• Content: The response captures the full scope of the passage, including the widespread presence of microplastics and their impact on the food supply.
• Form: The sentence adheres to the one-sentence requirement.
• Grammar: Perfect grammar.
• Vocabulary: Complex and precise vocabulary usage such as “pervasive” and “potential health risks.”
• Spelling: No errors were found.

Band Score 75 (Mid-High Band)

Microplastics enter the food chain via wildlife and seafood, and their health impact on humans is yet to be fully understood.

• Content: Main ideas are presented, but the detail about “global food supply” is missing.
• Form: Correct single sentence structure.
• Grammar: Grammatically perfect sentence.
• Vocabulary: Good but less specific than the high-band response.
• Spelling: No mistakes.

Band Score 60 (Mid-Low Band)

Microplastics are found in seafood and affect humans, but their effects are unknown.

• Content: The basic idea is captured, but the response lacks detail on how microplastics enter the food chain.
• Form: Adheres to the single sentence requirement.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure without errors.
• Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary.
• Spelling: No mistakes.

Band Score 50 (Low Band)

People eat microplastics in food, but the effects are not known.

• Content: Lacks sufficient details about the food chain and global scope of the problem.
• Form: Short and not fully elaborated.
• Grammar: Errors in sentence structure and phrasing.
• Vocabulary: Very basic and insufficient use of key terms.
• Spelling: No mistakes.

Vocabulary and Grammar Insights

Here are 10 vocabulary words from the above sample passages that you should be familiar with when discussing the topic of microplastics in the food chain:

1. Microplastics /ˌmaɪkroʊˈplæstɪks/ – Tiny particles of plastic that are less than 5 millimeters in size.

   • Example: Microplastics are found in almost every environment on the planet.

2. Bioaccumulation /ˌbaɪ.oʊəˌkjuːmjəˈleɪʃn/ – The process by which substances accumulate in an organism.

   • Example: Due to bioaccumulation, toxic substances increase as they move up the food chain.

3. Ingest /ɪnˈdʒɛst/ – To swallow or consume something.

   • Example: Animals mistakenly ingest microplastics when they feed.

4. Decompose /ˌdiːˈkɑːmpoʊz/ – To break down or decay over time.

   • Example: Plastic waste takes hundreds of years to decompose.

5. Permeate /ˈpɜːrmieɪt/ – To spread throughout something.

   • Example: Microplastics permeate through water systems worldwide.

6. Marine /məˈriːn/ – Related to the sea.

   • Example: Marine organisms are particularly affected by microplastics.

7. Predator /ˈprɛdətər/ – An animal that naturally preys on others.

   • Example: Large marine predators consume smaller animals polluted by microplastics.

8. Contaminate /kənˈtæmɪneɪt/ – To make something harmful or impure by exposure to pollutants.

   • Example: Microplastics contaminate seafood, posing potential risks to humans.

9. Exposure /ɪkˈspoʊʒər/ – The condition of being exposed to something harmful or unpleasant.

   • Example: Prolonged exposure to microplastics can have unknown health implications.

10. Regulatory /ˈrɛgjəˌleɪtəri/ – Concerning regulations or rules, particularly by authorities.

    • Example: Regulatory bodies are beginning to address the issue of microplastics pollution.

Conclusion

Understanding how microplastics impact the food chain is crucial, especially from the perspective of potential health implications and environmental effects, which frequently appear in the Summarize Written Text tasks on the PTE. Practice makes perfect, so use these sample questions and responses to improve your ability to summarize concisely and correctly under exam conditions. Don’t forget to explore more about the global effects of ocean microplastics for deeper comprehension.

If you have any questions or need more practice materials, leave a comment below!