PTE Summarize Written Text: Air Pollution and Health Risks

The Summarize Written Text is an integral part of the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE Academic exam. In this task, candidates are presented with a passage, typically around 150 – 400 words, and they must summarize the main ideas in one sentence within 10-15 minutes. The summary needs to capture the essence of the text while adhering to the strict guidelines regarding length and grammatical structure.

One increasingly common topic seen in PTE’s Summarize Written Text task is “Air Pollution And Health Risks.” Given the growing concern over environmental problems and their direct impact on human health, this topic is widely chosen for PTE practice exams. In this article, we provide sample tasks, ideal answers, and guidance in mastering this type of content.

Sample Summarize Written Text Tasks: Air Pollution and Health Risks

Task 1:

Air pollution has become one of the most severe environmental problems in the world, contributing to both environmental degradation and significant public health risks. Studies have shown that exposure to high levels of airborne pollutants may result in respiratory diseases, cardiovascular complications, and premature death. Specifically, pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM) have been linked to increased levels of asthma, lung cancer, and heart disease, particularly in urban areas where traffic emissions are abundant. Furthermore, long-term exposure to air pollution can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions, affecting vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children, and those with chronic illnesses. It is therefore crucial to implement stringent regulations and policies aimed at reducing emission levels and promoting cleaner energy sources to mitigate both the environmental and health impacts of air pollution.

Summarize the text in one sentence:

Model Answers:

Band 90:

Air pollution is a significant environmental threat, contributing to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in vulnerable populations, thus emphasizing the need for stricter emissions regulations and cleaner energy sources.
Content: Excellent content coverage, including all major ideas.
Form: Adheres to the word limit and stays within a single sentence.
Grammar: Flawless use of complex sentence structure.
Vocabulary: Wide range of vocabulary used appropriately.
Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 75:

Air pollution causes dangerous health problems, especially for vulnerable groups, and stricter regulations are necessary to lessen its impact on health.
Content: Covers the primary ideas but omits some specific details such as nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter.
Form: Stays within the prescribed format.
Grammar: Correct use of sentence structure but less complex than the higher band.
Vocabulary: Good vocabulary, though simpler.
Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band 60:

Air pollution is harmful to health and requires stricter regulations to control it.
Content: Covers the general idea but lacks specific details.
Form: Maintains the required sentence structure.
Grammar: Simple and correct, but lacks complexity.
Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary used.
Spelling: No spelling errors.

Task 2:

Air pollution has become a global concern due to its disastrous effects on the environment and human health. The increase in pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) has contributed to the degradation of air quality, leading to amplified rates of respiratory disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Studies indicate that air pollutants, especially in densely populated urban areas, are responsible for increasing mortality rates, particularly within specific vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with existing chronic health conditions. Effective mitigation strategies such as the adoption of clean energy alternatives, stricter environmental regulations, and urban planning geared towards reducing vehicle emissions are essential to reduce and prevent the dangerous health effects of air pollution.

Summarize the text in one sentence:

Model Answers:

Band 90:

Air pollution, worsened by pollutants such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, poses serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations, highlighting the urgent need for cleaner energy alternatives and stricter regulations.
Content: Comprehensive summary with all critical points integrated.
Form: Follows all form requirements and concisely communicates the core message.
Grammar: Advanced grammar applied correctly.
Vocabulary: Excellent and context-appropriate word usage.
Spelling: No mistakes.

Band 75:

Air pollution is harmful to health, especially for vulnerable groups, and can be mitigated through stricter regulations and cleaner energy sources.
Content: Main points are covered, though specifics, such as the name of pollutants, are missed.
Form: Stays within the required limits.
Grammar: Correct sentence, though slightly less nuanced.
Vocabulary: Good, but some advanced vocabulary is missing.
Spelling: No errors.

Band 60:

Air pollution is dangerous and needs stricter controls to manage its risks to human health.
Content: Simplified, leaving out many important elements.
Form: Follows required format but too brief.
Grammar: Accurate but overly simple.
Vocabulary: Very basic vocabulary.
Spelling: No errors.

Important Vocabulary & Grammar

Below are 10 essential vocabulary words and their meanings from the examples above, along with examples of how to use them in everyday sentences.

1. Pollutants /pəˈluːtənts/: harmful substances that contaminate the environment.
   (Example: The city’s air is filled with harmful pollutants from factories.)

2. Respiratory /ˈrɛspərətɔːri/: related to breathing or the lungs.
   (Example: Air pollution can cause serious respiratory issues.)

3. Cardiovascular /ˌkɑːrdioʊˈvæskjʊlər/: relating to the heart and blood vessels.
   (Example: High levels of pollution increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.)

4. Exacerbate /ɪɡˈzāsərˌbāt/: make a problem worse.
   (Example: Long-term exposure to air pollution can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions.)

5. Mitigate /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/: make something less severe or unpleasant.
   (Example: The government is taking steps to mitigate the effects of pollution.)

6. Premature /priːməˈtʃʊr/: happening before the usual or expected time.
   (Example: Premature deaths are common in heavily polluted cities.)

7. Chronic /ˈkrɒnɪk/: continuing for a long time or recurring frequently.
   (Example: Chronic respiratory diseases are widespread in regions with high pollution levels.)

8. Degradation /ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən/: the process of something becoming worse.
   (Example: The degradation of air quality is a significant problem in large cities.)

9. Mortality /mɔːˈtæləti/: the state of being subject to death.
   (Example: Mortality rates have risen due to increasing pollution.)

10. Adoption /əˈdɒpʃən/: the act of accepting or starting to use something new.
    (Example: The adoption of cleaner energy technologies is necessary to combat pollution.)

Conclusion

Air pollution and its associated health risks are very common topics in the PTE Summarize Written Text section, highlighting their real-world importance. Practice summarizing passages like the ones provided above to improve your skills in understanding the key points and capturing them in a concise, well-structured sentence. Let us know your thoughts, or try practicing with your own summaries in the comments section!