PTE Summarize Written Text Sample: AI and Ethical Considerations in Warfare

In the PTE Academic Writing and Speaking section, the Summarize Written Text task challenges your ability to understand and condense information into a concise summary. Today’s topic, “AI And Ethical Considerations In Warfare,” is particularly relevant as it touches on the current debates about the intersection of technology and ethics in modern society.

This breakdown will provide two essential things: a complete Summarize Written Text question, followed by a range of answers across different band scores. Each response is graded according to PTE’s scoring levels based on Content, Form, Grammar, Vocabulary, and Spelling.

Sample Question for Summarize Written Text Task

Below is a passage exploring the potential concerns that arise from the use of AI in warfare. Read the text and summarize it in one sentence.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly used in modern warfare, with applications ranging from decision-making assistance to fully autonomous weapon systems. Proponents argue that AI can enhance accuracy, reduce human casualties, and even prevent conflicts by providing superior intelligence analysis. However, opponents assert that the implementation of AI in military contexts poses significant ethical issues. The primary concern is the potential loss of human oversight, resulting in machines making life-or-death decisions without empathy or context. Moreover, there are fears that autonomous weapons could, if maliciously programmed or malfunctioning, initiate unintended destruction. Lastly, the unequal access to advanced AI technologies between nations could exacerbate global tensions, leaving less advanced countries vulnerable.

Your task: Summarize this passage in one sentence.

Sample Answers and Band Analysis

Band 90 Response

The increasing use of AI in modern warfare offers strategic advantages but raises ethical concerns regarding the delegation of life and death decisions to machines, potential malfunctions, and the risk of heightening global inequalities.

• Content: Excellent. The response captures all key aspects of the original text, including both the positive and negative sides of AI in warfare.
• Form: Perfect. The answer is written in one sentence and does not exceed 75 words.
• Grammar: Flawless. Complex sentence structures are used correctly.
• Vocabulary: Advanced and precise. Words like “delegation,” “malfunctions,” and “inequalities” convey the points well.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 70 Response

AI in warfare offers benefits like accuracy and intelligence analysis but raises ethical concerns, such as machines making harmful decisions and increasing global imbalance.

• Content: Good. The summary covers the most important points, although it could elaborate more on the opponents’ concerns.
• Form: Correct. The response is within one sentence and adheres to the word limit.
• Grammar: Good, but slightly basic compared to higher responses.
• Vocabulary: Adequate. The student uses appropriate words but lacks some variety and nuance.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band 50 Response

The use of AI in warfare has both advantages and disadvantages, with the main concern being machines making big decisions that could harm humanity and global power balance.

• Content: Fair. The response touches upon the general idea but misses out on specific details like malfunctions or context concerning ethical debates.
• Form: Correct, within word limit.
• Grammar: Simple. It reflects basic written competence with no complex constructions.
• Vocabulary: Basic. Simple words are used without much variety.
• Spelling: No errors.

Vocabulary for Summarizing AI and Ethical Considerations in Warfare

Here are 10 advanced vocabulary terms from the passage, along with their meanings and usage examples to help improve your understanding of the topic:

1. Autonomous /ɔːˈtɒnəməs/ (adj.): operating independently without human control.

   • Example: Autonomous drones have changed the nature of modern warfare.

2. Delegation /ˌdelɪˈɡeɪʃən/ (n.): the act of assigning authority or responsibility to another person, often in decision making.

   • Example: The delegation of lethal decision-making to AI raises ethical concerns.

3. Strategic /strəˈtiːdʒɪk/ (adj.): related to long-term plans or goals, especially in warfare or business.

   • Example: AI offers a strategic advantage by enhancing situational analysis in combat.

4. Empathy /ˈempəθi/ (n.): the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person.

   • Example: Critics argue that AI lacks the empathy required for life-or-death decisions.

5. Malfunction /mælˈfʌŋkʃən/ (n.): failure to work or operate as expected.

   • Example: The risk of a malfunction in autonomous weapons could trigger unintended destruction.

6. Inequality /ɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti/ (n.): the state of being unequal, especially in status or opportunities.

   • Example: Unequal access to AI technologies could increase global inequalities.

7. Casualty /ˈkæʒʊəlti/ (n.): a person killed or injured in war or in an accident.

   • Example: AI could potentially reduce human casualties by improving battlefield precision.

8. Implementation /ɪmplɪmɛnˈteɪʃn/ (n.): the process of putting something into effect or action.

   • Example: The implementation of AI in warfare is a subject of ongoing debate.

9. Superior /suːˈpɪərɪə/ (adj.): better in quality or performance.

   • Example: AI systems provide superior accuracy in analyzing military intelligence.

10. Exacerbate /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ (v.): to make a problem, situation, or sentiment worse.

    • Example: The misuse of AI could exacerbate international tensions.

Conclusion

In this Summarize Written Text exercise, you’ve worked on condensing complex arguments about the ethical considerations and advantages of AI in warfare into a single sentence. This type of task helps sharpen your summarization skills and prepares you for situations where condensing information is crucial, such as the Cloning technology and ethical concerns task often seen in PTE exams.

By regularly practicing topics like AI in warfare and comparing your responses to the sample answers provided here, you can better understand how the PTE scoring system works, and thus improve your performance. If you have any questions or would like to practice more topics like this, feel free to leave your comments!