Summarize Written Text in PTE Exam: Carbon Trading and Environmental Impact

The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE Speaking & Writing section requires candidates to condense a given paragraph into a single sentence. A common topic in this task relates to environmental issues, particularly carbon trading and its impact on the environment. This article will provide a sample exercise, band-level answers, and an analysis of vocabulary and grammar for those looking to master this type of task.

Sample Task: Summarize Written Text on Carbon Trading and Environmental Impact

Here is a sample task based on the theme Carbon Trading And Environmental Impact. The following passage should be summarized into a single sentence. Pay attention to capturing the key ideas while ensuring proper grammar, vocabulary usage, and sentence structure.

Task 1: Passage on Carbon Trading and Environmental Impact

Carbon trading, also known as emissions trading, is a market-based approach to controlling pollution by providing economic incentives for reducing the emissions of pollutants, particularly carbon dioxide. It works by setting a limit, or cap, on the total amount of emissions allowed in a specific region or by specific industries. Companies are issued permits or allowances for a certain level of emissions, and they can sell or trade these allowances with other firms if they are able to reduce their emissions below the required level. While advocates argue that this system promotes innovation and cost-efficiency in reducing emissions, some critics argue it allows wealthy corporations to avoid substantial reductions while poorer regions continue to bear the environmental burden. Furthermore, the overall impact of carbon trading on global greenhouse gas emissions remains a topic of debate, with mixed results over the last two decades.

Summarize the passage in one sentence.

Sample Answers and Analysis

Let’s review a few sample responses based on different band levels, followed by detailed analysis.

High Band Response (79+)

Cited as a market-based method to control emissions, carbon trading limits the total emissions allowed and permits companies to sell their extra allowances, although critics argue that it may not effectively reduce global greenhouse gases due to loopholes benefiting wealthier corporations.

Analysis:

• Content (5/5): This summary captures key ideas such as the market-based nature, cap system, allowance trading, and the criticism regarding wealthier firms potentially undermining meaningful emission reductions.
• Form (1/1): The response is a single, clear sentence.
• Grammar (2/2): There is precise use of grammar with complex sentence structures.
• Vocabulary (2/2): The use of terms like ‘market-based’, ‘emissions’, ‘allowances’, and ‘greenhouse gases’ demonstrates a good understanding of the passage.
• Spelling (2/2): No errors.

Mid Band Response (65-78)

Carbon trading restricts the emission limit and allows companies to sell unused allowances, but some argue it may not be effective enough to reduce global emissions fairly.

Analysis:

• Content (4/5): The main points are covered, but the explanation of how wealthier corporations might benefit is slightly vague.
• Form (1/1): This is appropriately formatted as a single sentence.
• Grammar (2/2): Grammar is strong, although the sentence is less complex.
• Vocabulary (1/2): Vocabulary is simple but acceptable; “effective enough” and “emissions fairly” could be better articulated.
• Spelling (2/2): No spelling errors.

Low Band Response (50-64)

Carbon trading allows businesses to manage emissions by selling unused permits, but it has been criticized for favoring the rich over the poor in addressing climate problems.

Analysis:

• Content (3/5): The response misses details about the cap system and does not fully incorporate the idea of global results and emissions control.
• Form (1/1): Correctly formatted as one sentence.
• Grammar (1/2): The sentence is understandable but slightly unclear in parts, with awkward phrasing like “favoring the rich over the poor.”
• Vocabulary (1/2): Vocabulary is overly simplistic, and key terms such as “global impact” and “greenhouse gases” are missing.
• Spelling (2/2): No spelling mistakes.

Vocabulary and Grammar for Summarize Written Text

Here is a list of 10 useful vocabulary words from the passage, along with their definitions, phonetic transcriptions, and example sentences:

1. Emissions (/ɪˈmɪʃənz/): The production and discharge of gas or radiation.

   • Example: Carbon dioxide emissions contribute to global warming.

2. Allowance (/əˈlaʊəns/): A quota or limit allowed for a specific purpose.

   • Example: Each factory is given a carbon allowance to limit its emissions.

3. Cap (/kæp/): A legally set upper limit on a quantity, such as emissions.

   • Example: Policymakers implemented a strict emissions cap for all industries.

4. Permit (/pərˈmɪt/): Official authorization to do something, in this case, emissions.

   • Example: Companies must buy permits for any emissions exceeding the set limit.

5. Innovation (/ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/): The creation of new ideas or methods.

   • Example: Carbon trading is believed to encourage innovation in clean energy.

6. Critics (/ˈkrɪtɪks/): People who express disapproval of something.

   • Example: Critics argue that carbon trading doesn’t solve fundamental environmental issues.

7. Pollutant (/pəˈluːtənt/): A substance that pollutes, causing harm to the environment.

   • Example: Factories emit pollutants, including carbon dioxide and methane.

8. Burden (/ˈbɜːrdn/): A heavy load or hardship, often metaphorical.

   • Example: The environmental burden falls disproportionately on developing nations.

9. Incentive (/ɪnˈsɛntɪv/): Something that motivates or encourages someone to take action.

   • Example: Financial incentives promote the reduction of carbon emissions through trading.

10. Greenhouse gases (/ˈɡriːnhaʊs ˈɡæsɪz/): Gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect by trapping heat in the atmosphere.

    • Example: Greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane are blamed for global warming.

Conclusion

In conclusion, carbon trading is a frequently cited topic in PTE’s Summarize Written Text tasks, as it plays a significant role in environmental discussions. By practicing with real-life topics like this, candidates improve their ability to summarize complex ideas clearly and concisely, a vital skill for achieving a high score in the PTE exam.

Whether you are new to the format or refining your strategies, practising regularly with different themes and analyzing your work according to the PTE criteria will significantly enhance your performance.

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