Summarize Written Text Practice for PTE Exam: Fast Fashion’s Environmental Consequences

The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE (Pearson Test of English) requires candidates to summarize a given passage into just one sentence. In recent years, the issue of fast fashion’s environmental consequences has gained global attention, making it a popular topic in academic discussions, including in PTE Writing tasks. This article provides some sample questions based on fast fashion’s environmental impact for you to practice. Let’s dive into the details of this essential topic!

Sample Summarize Written Text Questions

Below you will find a sample prompt on fast fashion’s environmental consequences with a detailed explanation and solutions showcasing different PTE band levels.

Prompt 1:
The rise of fast fashion has led to unprecedented demand for low-cost, high-turnover apparel. While this benefits consumers with affordable clothing, the production methods associated with fast fashion have severe environmental consequences. Textile factories often use harmful chemicals that pollute waterways, and the constant demand for new materials leads to over-exploitation of natural resources. Additionally, fast fashion items are often discarded after a short time, contributing to overwhelming levels of textile waste in landfills. Overall, the fast fashion industry places a significant burden on the environment, highlighting the need for more sustainable production and consumption practices.

Summarize Written Text:
Summarize the main idea of the text in one sentence.

Model Answers

Band 90 Response

Fast fashion’s production process not only harms the environment by polluting waterways and exploiting resources but also creates excessive textile waste, emphasizing the necessity of sustainable practices in the fashion industry.

Explanation:

• Content: This response captures all the essential points: pollution, resource exploitation, textile waste, and the need for sustainability.
• Form: The sentence is concise, within the word limit, and covers multiple ideas.
• Grammar: A complex sentence structure is used correctly.
• Vocabulary: The vocabulary is varied and intentional (e.g., “exploiting resources,” “textile waste”).
• Spelling: No spelling mistakes.

Band 75 Response

The fast fashion industry causes environmental damage through pollution and waste, requiring new sustainable approaches to production and consumption.

Explanation:

• Content: Most key points are covered, but it could include more detail about resource exploitation and waste management.
• Form: Sentence length and structure are appropriate.
• Grammar: No issues, although the structure could be more complex.
• Vocabulary: Adequate range of vocabulary.
• Spelling: No mistakes.

Band 60 Response

Fast fashion harms the environment because of pollution and too much waste.

Explanation:

• Content: Some critical points like resource exploitation and the need for sustainability are missing.
• Form: The sentence is simple and does not fully summarize the text.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure with no errors.
• Vocabulary: Limited vocabulary.
• Spelling: No spelling mistakes.

Vocabulary and Grammar Analysis

Here are some key vocabulary words from the summary practice prompts deemed essential for performing well in the PTE Summarize Written Text task.

1. Exploitation (/ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/)
   Noun: The action of making use of and benefiting from resources.
   Example: Over-exploitation of natural resources leads to their depletion.

2. Textile (/ˈtekstaɪl/)
   Noun: A type of cloth or fabric, especially produced in large quantities for clothing.
   Example: The textile industry is a major sector of fast fashion.

3. Sustainability (/səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/)
   Noun: The ability to be maintained at a certain level or to avoid depletion of natural resources.
   Example: Sustainability is crucial to counter the harmful effects of fast fashion.

4. Pollution (/pəˈluːʃən/)
   Noun: The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance which has harmful effects.
   Example: Fast fashion results in pollution through chemicals used in textile production.

5. Consumption (/kənˈsʌmpʃən/)
   Noun: The action of using up a resource.
   Example: Fast fashion encourages quick consumption, which significantly impacts the environment.

6. Chemical (/ˈkemɪkəl/)
   Noun: A compound or substance that has been purified or prepared, especially artificially.
   Example: Dangerous chemicals are often released during the dyeing process in fast fashion factories.

7. Discard (/dɪsˈkɑːd/)
   Verb: To throw something away as no longer useful or desirable.
   Example: Fast fashion items are usually discarded after only a short period of use.

8. Impact (/ˈɪmpækt/)
   Noun: The effect or influence of one thing on another.
   Example: Fast fashion has a destructive impact on the environment.

9. Landfill (/ˈlændfɪl/)
   Noun: A disposal site for waste material by burying it, especially as a method of filling in land.
   Example: The excessive disposal of fast fashion products contributes to growing landfill sizes.

10. Affordable (/əˈfɔːdəbl/)
    Adjective: Inexpensive or reasonably priced.
    Example: The affordability of fast fashion creates massive demand, but at an environmental cost.

Conclusion

In conclusion, fast fashion’s environmental consequences are one of the most significant modern-day challenges. Practicing Summarize Written Text questions on this topic can help you improve your summarizing skills in the PTE test. Remember, you can make use of such practice prompts to gain a better understanding of how to compress dense information into a precise summary. For further practice, explore topics related to Fast fashion and textile waste management and Fast fashion industry’s environmental impact. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to leave a comment if you have any questions or need more guidance!