In this article, we’ll dive into different practice samples based on carbon footprint reduction strategies, provide sample answers for various PTE score bands, and break down how you can improve your performance in this task.
Carbon Footprint Reduction Strategies Summarize Written Text Samples
Sample 1:
The importance of reducing carbon footprints cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts rising global temperatures and increasing occurrences of extreme weather events. Various strategies have emerged, such as enhancing energy efficiency, switching to renewable energy sources, and improving public transportation to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Businesses and governments are also investing in carbon offset programs that compensate for emissions by funding global projects related to reforestation or renewable energy. Additionally, individual actions, like reducing unnecessary electricity usage, opting for more eco-friendly diets, and choosing sustainable products, play a part in minimizing our environmental impact.
Summarize the text in one sentence.
Answers:
Band 90:
Reducing carbon footprints involves numerous strategies ranging from improving energy efficiency and using renewable energy to supporting carbon offset programs, with both institutional and individual efforts playing critical roles.
- Content: Completely covers all key components: strategies (energy efficiency, renewable energy, offset programs) and participants (businesses, individuals).
- Form: It’s within the required word range.
- Grammar: The sentence is grammatically flawless with varied sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Strong use of topic-specific vocabulary such as “carbon offset programs” and “energy efficiency.”
- Spelling: No spelling errors detected.
Band 75:
Carbon footprint reduction strategies include using cleaner energy, improving transportation, and supporting projects like reforestation, with both individuals and organizations contributing.
- Content: Most of the key strategies and actors are mentioned, though it doesn’t delve deeply into businesses’ efforts.
- Form: It’s concise and within the word limit.
- Grammar: The sentence structure is correct, but slightly simpler than a higher score might aim for.
- Vocabulary: Includes accurate but simpler vocabulary choices like “cleaner energy.”
- Spelling: Error-free spelling.
Band 65:
Strategies to reduce carbon footprints include using renewable energy, improving transportation systems, and personal lifestyle changes.
- Content: Key strategies are mentioned, but there is less detail about businesses or community efforts.
- Form: Adequate length.
- Grammar: Basic grammar is good but lacks complexity.
- Vocabulary: The word choices here are relatively basic compared to higher-scoring answers.
- Spelling: No spelling issues.
Band 50:
Reducing carbon footprints is by using renewable energy, improving public transportation, and making personal efforts.
- Content: Simplified and leaves out important points like carbon offset programs.
- Form: Proper word limit, but meaning slightly unclear.
- Grammar: The sentence contains grammatical issues like “is by using.”
- Vocabulary: Simple and lacks depth.
- Spelling: Spelling is correct.
Graph on carbon footprint reduction strategies like renewable energy and public transport usage
Sample 2:
With cities contributing over 70% of global energy-related CO2 emissions, sustainable urban development is critical to cutting carbon footprints. In response, smart city infrastructure like electric public transport systems and energy-efficient buildings have been proposed to lower energy consumption. Additionally, urban planners are integrating renewable energy sources into city designs, promoting shared mobility options such as biking, and encouraging the use of localized energy generation in residential areas to further minimize dependency on fossil fuels.
Summarize the text in one sentence.
Answers:
Band 90:
Sustainable urban development and smart city infrastructure incorporating renewable energy, energy-efficient buildings, and electric public transport are vital to reducing cities’ contributions to global CO2 emissions.
- Content: Successfully summarizes all key aspects.
- Form: Within the word limit.
- Grammar: Well-constructed sentence that clearly conveys complex ideas.
- Vocabulary: Strong use of relevant terms like “smart city infrastructure” and “electric public transport.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 75:
Sustainable urban development, including energy-efficient transport and buildings, helps reduce the carbon footprints of cities.
- Content: Adequately captures most of the ideas.
- Form: Well-structured, concise.
- Grammar: Correct but simpler sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Good, but not as complex as higher scoring answers.
- Spelling: Error-free.
Band 65:
Cites efforts like energy-efficient buildings and electric transport as ways to lower cities’ CO2 emissions.
- Content: Covers main strategies for reducing emissions but with less detail.
- Form: Mechanical in phrasing though within word limits.
- Grammar: Basic structure with limited complexity.
- Vocabulary: Very basic compared to high-scoring answers.
- Spelling: Correct.
For more advanced discussions, additional examples can focus on specific sectors adopting these strategies, like renewable energy in industrial sectors.
Vocabulary and Grammar
Here are ten advanced vocabulary terms drawn from the context of carbon footprint reduction:
-
Infrastructure (/ˌɪnfrəˈstrʌktʃər/) – The basic facilities, services, and systems that support a community or country (e.g., roads, transport systems).
Example: Smart infrastructure is essential for designing sustainable cities. -
Offset (/ˈɔːfˌsɛt/) – To counterbalance or compensate for something, such as emissions.
Example: Many companies use carbon offset programs to balance their environmental impact. -
Reforestation (/ˌriːˌfɔːrɪˈsteɪʃən/) – The process of replanting trees in a deforested area.
Example: Reforestation is a key element of carbon offset initiatives. -
Mitigation (/ˌmɪtɪˈɡeɪʃən/) – The action of reducing the severity or seriousness of something, like climate change.
Example: Global efforts focus on the mitigation of climate change through various strategies. -
Renewable (/rɪˈnjuːəbl/) – Refers to energy sources that can be replenished naturally, such as wind or solar energy.
Example: Cities are increasingly relying on renewable energy to decrease fossil fuel consumption. -
Localized (/ˈloʊ.kə.laɪzd/) – Limited to a specific area or region.
Example: Localized energy initiatives are helping communities produce their own power. -
Footprint (/ˈfʊt.prɪnt/) – The impact one’s activities have on the environment.
Example: The carbon footprint of cities is a growing concern for climate activists. -
Consumption (/kənˈsʌmpʃən/) – The act of using up a resource.
Example: Reducing energy consumption is one of the key strategies in cutting carbon emissions. -
Emission (/iˈmɪʃən/) – The release of gases or substances into the environment.
Example: CO2 emissions from fossil fuels remain a critical issue. -
Smart Cities (/smɑːrt ˈsɪtiz/) – Urban areas that use smart technology for sustainability and efficiency.
Example: Smart cities utilize renewable energy, automated systems, and efficient public transport.
Conclusion
By working on Summarize Written Text tasks like the ones provided above, you’ll sharpen your ability to condense complex concepts such as carbon footprint reduction strategies into concise summaries. These exercises closely reflect topics frequently tested in the PTE exams, especially those surrounding vital issues like sustainability, urban development, and global environmental efforts.
After practicing these examples, take time to review similar topics such as Smart city infrastructure and energy use or Carbon offset programs and global efforts.
Keep practicing, share your attempts, and feel free to ask for feedback!
