In today’s fast-paced digital world, artificial intelligence (AI) and job automation have rapidly transformed industries and workforces globally. It’s no surprise that the topic often shows up in the PTE exam, specifically in the Summarize Written Text section, where candidates must condense a given passage into a single sentence. This task tests various important skills, including reading comprehension, summarization, grammar, and cohesiveness. Below, we will explore the Summarize Written Text format, give detailed sample tasks about AI and job automation, and analyze model answers to help you excel in this PTE section.
Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing Industry
Understanding Summarize Written Text in the PTE Writing Section
The Summarize Written Text task appears in the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE exam. For each task, you are given a short passage (150-400 words) and asked to provide a text summary in one sentence, within a time limit of 10 minutes. This skill measures your ability to capture the essence of a passage without including unnecessary details—something many candidates find challenging.
Prompt Type Example:
- The emergence of AI in industries such as healthcare, retail, and manufacturing has resulted in significant shifts in job markets, worker expectations, and overall productivity.
In 10 minutes, candidates must condense this passage into a single coherent sentence while maintaining key details. The tasks often revolve around broad, globally relevant topics like AI, technology, and job automation, all of which are integral to understanding current trends.
Sample Summarize Written Text Question: Artificial Intelligence and Job Automation
Let’s focus on AI and job automation, a prevalent theme in PTE exams as well as real-world conversations. Below is a detailed task followed by multiple sample answers at different band score levels to illustrate what is expected.
Question Prompt
The progression of artificial intelligence and job automation in recent years has dramatically reshaped industries and labor markets alike. Manufacturing is undergoing significant changes with AI managing increasingly complex tasks that were once performed by humans, resulting in improved efficiency and lower operational costs. However, while automation can enable businesses to operate more effectively, it also raises concerns about job displacement, as workers whose roles involve repetitive tasks may be replaced by AI systems. As AI continues to evolve, experts predict both job losses and the creation of new roles, especially those related to programming, AI development, and human-AI interaction. Despite these uncertainties, AI’s overall influence on global productivity is undeniable, with sectors like finance, healthcare, and logistics also benefiting substantially.
Task:
Summarize the text in one sentence within 10 minutes.
Sample Responses
Top Band (79-90 Points)
The increasing integration of artificial intelligence into industries, especially manufacturing, enhances operational efficiency and reduces costs, but it also poses challenges such as job displacement while creating new opportunities in fields related to AI development and management.
- Content: This summarizes all the essential points without omitting significant information related to AI’s effect on efficiency, cost, job loss, and job creation.
- Form: The summary is perfectly concise, in one sentence, and below 75 words.
- Grammar: Completely accurate, grammatically correct sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Excellent range of academic language with appropriate terms such as “integration,” “operational efficiency,” and “job displacement.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Mid Band (66-78 Points)
The growth of AI in manufacturing leads to better efficiency and lower costs, but there are concerns about job losses, although new tech roles may emerge.
- Content: Covers most of the key points, although it doesn’t mention healthcare, finance, or other AI-related sectors.
- Form: Correct format and clear structure but slightly underdeveloped.
- Grammar: Mostly correct but lacks complexity in sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Reasonable vocabulary like “leads to,” but lacks professional terminology such as “global productivity.”
- Spelling: Correct.
Low Band (50-65 Points)
As AI improves industry efficiency and cuts costs, it is expected to replace jobs, but it may also create new opportunities.
- Content: This summary simplifies the ideas too much; it glosses over some important sectors (e.g., finance, logistics).
- Form: Correct length and format, but ideas are underrepresented.
- Grammar: No major grammar mistakes, but the sentence lacks sophistication.
- Vocabulary: Basic, limited use of words with common phrases like “replace jobs.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Analysis of Sample Responses
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Content: The summaries vary in how well they condense the information from the original passage. The top band response excels by including key details about efficiency, job displacement, and job creation, whereas mid and low-band responses either omit vital sectors or generalize too much.
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Form: All responses followed the required format of a single sentence, which is crucial for this task.
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Grammar: The highest band uses sophisticated grammar, including complex structures, while lower bands rely on simpler, sometimes less precise sentence constructions.
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Vocabulary: The use of precise technological terminology greatly enhances scores at the highest levels, while more basic phrasing drags the score down in the lower bands.
Low scorers could benefit from becoming more familiar with job-related terms and phrases associated with AI, especially as this is a common theme across many sectors, from Automation in healthcare and efficiency to logistics.
Vocabulary and Grammar from the Text
Here are ten advanced words from the task that are crucial for understanding both AI’s impact and for expanding your academic English skills.
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Displacement /dɪsˈpleɪsmənt/ (noun): the act of replacing or removing someone or something.
- Example: The rise of machines led to the displacement of workers in many factories.
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Operational /ˌɒpəˈreɪʃənl/ (adjective): related to the functioning of a business or machinery.
- Example: Operational costs were significantly reduced after automation.
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Efficiency /ɪˈfɪʃnsi/ (noun): the ability to achieve a goal with little waste of time or effort.
- Example: Automation improved the efficiency in assembling the products.
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Logistics /ləˈdʒɪstɪks/ (noun): the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation.
- Example: Implementing AI in logistics streamlined the delivery processes.
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Integration /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ (noun): the process of combining things into a complete whole.
- Example: The integration of AI systems revolutionized the production line.
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Sector /ˈsektə(r)/ (noun): a part of an area of activity, especially in business or industry.
- Example: The finance sector is investing heavily in AI technologies.
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Repetitive /rɪˈpetətɪv/ (adjective): done or occurring again and again.
- Example: Many repetitive tasks in customer service are now performed by AI.
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Creation /kriˈeɪʃn/ (noun): the action or process of bringing something into existence.
- Example: Automation allowed for the creation of new specialized jobs.
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Productivity /ˌprɒdʌkˈtɪvɪti/ (noun): the efficiency of production.
- Example: Temporary job losses can, in some cases, lead to long-term increases in productivity.
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Emergence /ɪˈmɜːdʒəns/ (noun): becoming prominent or important.
- Example: The emergence of AI is a game changer in multiple industries.
Conclusion
Practicing Summarize Written Text through themes like artificial intelligence and automation will enhance your overall performance in the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE exam. As seen in our example, AI is a transformative force in various industries including manufacturing, and candidates often encounter the need to summarize such complex topics concisely. By mastering this task, you can secure higher scores in both content and language use.
Feel free to comment below and share your own summaries for AI-related texts!
