Summarize Written Text Practice: Renewable Energy Innovations in Agriculture
Task 1: Renewable Energy Use in Modern Agriculture
In recent years, agriculture has embraced numerous innovations in renewable energy to tackle global challenges related to sustainability and climate change. The use of solar-powered greenhouses, wind energy for irrigation systems, and bioenergy derived from organic farm waste are some of the top advancements observed in this sector. These technologies not only reduce the dependency on fossil fuels but also minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, integrating renewable energy into the agriculture sector significantly reduces operating costs for farmers while increasing energy efficiency. As countries strive to meet global climate goals, renewable energy solutions are increasingly seen as a viable way to safeguard food production while addressing environmental concerns.
Write a one-sentence summary of the passage.
Sample Responses:
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Band Score 90 (Excellent): Modern agriculture increasingly leverages renewable energy technologies, reducing costs and environmental impact by using solar, wind, and bioenergy to enhance sustainability and energy efficiency.
Analysis:
- Content: The response concisely covers key points such as sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and the types of energy used.
- Form: One complete sentence.
- Grammar: Correct use of continuous and perfect tenses.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate use of advanced terms—”leverage,” “enhance,” “sustainability.”
- Spelling: No errors.
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Band Score 70 (Good): Farmers are using renewable energy like solar and bioenergy to make agriculture more sustainable and reduce harmful emissions.
Analysis:
- Content: Captures most key ideas but slightly simplified.
- Form: Uses a single sentence correctly.
- Grammar: Grammatical structure is sound, but lacks complexity.
- Vocabulary: Good, but basic compared to a higher score.
- Spelling: No errors.
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Band Score 50 (Average): Agriculture is changing with renewable energy to reduce costs and help the environment.
Analysis:
- Content: Limited mention of the specific types of renewable energy and the detailed impacts.
- Form: Satisfactory as it remains a single sentence.
- Grammar: Correct but lacks variety in sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Very basic and vague.
- Spelling: No errors.
Task 2: Innovations Driving Agriculture Sustainability
As the global population continues to grow, the need for sustainable agricultural practices has become more critical than ever. Renewable energy technologies like solar panels, wind turbines, and bioenergy-based systems are helping farmers meet growing food demands by supporting energy-efficient solutions. For instance, solar-powered irrigation systems help conserve water, while bioenergy from animal waste serves as a cleaner alternative to conventional fuel. Additionally, wind energy has proven effective in remote farming areas where power supply is limited, providing off-grid solutions and contributing to the overall sustainability of the agricultural industry.
Write a one-sentence summary of the passage.
Sample Responses:
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Band Score 90 (Excellent): The integration of renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and bioenergy, is driving sustainable agricultural practices by conserving resources and offering off-grid solutions for growing food demands.
Analysis:
- Content: Comprehensive and clearly mentions multiple energy sources and their benefits.
- Form: Correct structure for a single-sentence response.
- Grammar: Superior command of complex sentence structures.
- Vocabulary: Proficient use of terms such as “integration,” “off-grid solutions,” and “conserving resources.”
- Spelling: No errors.
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Band Score 70 (Good): Farmers are using renewable energy systems like solar and wind power to make agriculture more sustainable and meet global food demand.
Analysis:
- Content: Covers most ideas, but lacks specific examples like bioenergy and off-grid solutions.
- Form: The structure is acceptable for one sentence.
- Grammar: Correct grammar, though sentence simplicity affects the score.
- Vocabulary: Satisfactory, but could be more precise.
- Spelling: No errors.
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Band Score 50 (Average): Solar and wind are helping farmers become more sustainable and grow more food.
Analysis:
- Content: Provides few details and lacks significant contextual information.
- Form: Minimal sentence complexity, but acceptable.
- Grammar: Simple but accurate, lacks complexity.
- Vocabulary: Very basic and lacks depth.
- Spelling: No errors.
Vocabulary and Grammar
Below is a list of 10 challenging vocabulary words and phrases from the texts above, along with their pronunciation and meanings:
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Sustainability /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ (n.) – The ability to maintain ecological balance by avoiding depletion of natural resources.
- Example: Integrating solar power in farming advances sustainability.
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Bioenergy /ˌbaɪoʊˈɛnərʤi/ (n.) – Energy produced using organic materials such as plant or animal waste.
- Example: Bioenergy derived from waste can power crops without polluting the air.
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Greenhouse gas emissions /ˈgriːnhaʊs ɡæs ɪˈmɪʃənz/ (n.) – Gases in Earth’s atmosphere that trap heat and contribute to global warming.
- Example: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is a priority in renewable energy use.
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Off-grid solutions /ɒf ɡrɪd səˈluːʃənz/ (n.) – Independent power systems that operate without relying on the main electrical grid.
- Example: Off-grid solutions like wind energy help farmers in rural areas.
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Conservation /ˌkɒnsərˈveɪʃən/ (n.) – The protection and efficient use of natural resources to prevent waste.
- Example: Solar irrigation aids in water conservation.
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Energy efficiency /ˈɛnərʤi ɪˈfɪʃənsi/ (n.) – Using less energy to perform the same task, reducing waste.
- Example: New technologies boost energy efficiency in agricultural systems.
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Irrigation /ˌɪrəˈɡeɪʃən/ (n.) – The supply of water to crops to help grow effectively.
- Example: Solar irrigation makes farming more effective during droughts.
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Fossil fuels /ˈfɒsəl ˈfjuːəlz/ (n.) – Nonrenewable energy sources such as coal, oil, and natural gas derived from the remains of dead plants and animals.
- Example: Modern agriculture is reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.
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Viable /ˈvaɪəbəl/ (adj.) – Capable of working successfully or feasibly.
- Example: Renewable energy is a viable solution for agricultural sustainability.
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Minimize /ˈmɪnɪmaɪz/ (v.) – To reduce to the smallest possible amount.
- Example: Solar panels help minimize energy costs in farming.
Conclusion
Renewable energy innovations are crucial in transforming agriculture into a more sustainable and eco-friendly industry. Topics such as renewable energy applications in farming frequently appear in the PTE Summarize Written Text section, making it important for test-takers to practice summarization skills related to such current and critical issues. We invite you to practice further by using these examples and sharing your results.