Sample Summarize Written Text Tasks for PTE Exam: Cloning Technology and Ethical Concerns

Summarize Written Text is a challenging yet significant part of the PTE Speaking & Writing section, testing candidates on their ability to summarize complex information in a single sentence. A recurring theme in these exam tasks involves advancements in Cloning Technology And Ethical Concerns, given its importance in public debate. Below, we provide some high-quality sample Summarize Written Text tasks tailored towards this topic to help readers practice.

Task 1: Cloning Technology’s Breakthrough and Ethical Debates

Cloning technology has made significant progress since the first successful cloning of an animal, Dolly the sheep, in 1996. This technology offers potential benefits like replicating organs for transplantation and advancing genetic research. However, the application of cloning in humans has triggered ethical concerns. Critics argue that human cloning could lead to the exploitation of individuals and raise profound existential questions about identity, diversity, and individuality. The debate continues as researchers struggle to balance scientific promise with ethical considerations.
Summarize the given text in one sentence.

Sample Answers

Band Score 90:

The rapid development of cloning technology holds great promise for medical advancements, but it raises serious ethical concerns about the impact on human identity and exploitation.

• Content: Highlights both the technological advancements and the ethical concerns.
• Form: One sentence and within the word limit.
• Grammar: Correct with complex structure.
• Vocabulary: Appropriate academic words such as “advancements” and “exploitation”.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 80:

Cloning technology has progressed significantly, raising potential medical benefits, yet ethical concerns about human identity remain.

• Content: The main points are captured, although the ethical concerns are not fully elaborated.
• Form: One sentence, meeting the requirement.
• Grammar: Grammatically correct but simpler than the 90 band.
• Vocabulary: Simplified with phrases like “significant progress”.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 70:

Cloning has advanced, but there are many ethical concerns about human cloning.

• Content: Basic points covered but lacks detail on potential benefits.
• Form: One sentence, succinct.
• Grammar: Simplistic with no grammatical error.
• Vocabulary: Limited vocabulary choice like “advanced” and “ethical concerns”.
• Spelling: No errors.

Task 2: Human Cloning and its Global Ethical Ramifications

The idea of cloning humans continues to spark significant ethical debates around the world, with many societies questioning whether it is moral to create life artificially. While some support human cloning for its potential to solve infertility and produce genetically identical offspring, critics worry about the commodification of human life and the potential to undermine human rights. Lawmakers in many countries have implemented stringent policies to regulate and often entirely ban human cloning as public opinion remains deeply divided on the issue.
Summarize the given text in one sentence.

Sample Answers

Band Score 90:

Human cloning, although considered beneficial for infertility treatment, faces global ethical concerns regarding the commodification of life, leading many countries to impose strict bans.

• Content: Fully captures the benefits and ethical concerns, as well as global reactions and regulations.
• Form: A well-structured sentence.
• Grammar: Complex sentence structure with correct use of commas.
• Vocabulary: Advanced words such as “commodification” and “stringent”.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 80:

Human cloning has ethical implications, despite potential medical benefits, and many countries have banned its use.

• Content: General points about benefits, ethical concerns, and bans.
• Form: One sentence, concise.
• Grammar: Grammatically correct but lacks complexity.
• Vocabulary: Adequate vocabulary, but not as sophisticated.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 70:

While human cloning may help, it is banned in many places because of ethical concerns.

• Content: Simplified statement that misses some detail on the form of the concerns.
• Form: One sentence, but assumes some context.
• Grammar: Too basic; lacks complexity in structure.
• Vocabulary: Very elementary with ambiguous phrases like “help”.
• Spelling: No errors.

Ethical issues in cloning technology and its implications

Task 3: Cloning and Genetic Engineering – Ethical and Practical Considerations

Genetic engineering and cloning technologies have paved the way for new medical treatments and agriculture innovations. With the ability to alter organisms at the genetic level, scientists can solve problems such as food shortages and disease management. However, these technologies also arouse ethical concerns relating to ecological balance, human interference in natural processes, and the potential for abuse in bioweapon creation. Stakeholders continue to discuss how best to manage these technologies in today’s increasingly interconnected world.
Summarize the given text in one sentence.

Sample Answers

Band Score 90:

Although genetic engineering and cloning offer valuable solutions in medicine and agriculture, they trigger ethical concerns about environmental balance, human interference, and potential misuse in warfare.

• Content: Focuses on both the positive applications and ethical concerns.
• Form: Correct structure and clarity.
• Grammar: Uses conjunctions and commas effectively.
• Vocabulary: Advanced terminology like “environmental balance” and “interference”.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 80:

Genetic engineering and cloning can benefit medicine and agriculture, but they raise key ethical and environmental issues.

• Content: Covers most critical points but lacks specific detail on bioweapons.
• Form: One sentence, with clarity.
• Grammar: Correct but simplified.
• Vocabulary: Appropriate but less precise than the higher band.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 70:

Genetic engineering and cloning are useful, but there are ethical issues with them.

• Content: Too simplified and missing much of the nuance on ethical concerns.
• Form: Meets the task requirements, though minimalistic.
• Grammar: Simple and error-free, but lacks complexity.
• Vocabulary: Very basic word choice like “useful” and “issues”.
• Spelling: No errors.

Vocabulary and Grammar Focus

Here are 10 challenging words from the tasks above that may appear in the PTE exam:

1. Commodification /kəˌmɒdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/: (noun) The action or process of treating something as a mere commodity.
   Example: Critics fear human cloning leads to the commodification of life.

2. Stringent /ˈstrɪndʒənt/: (adj) Strict, precise, and exacting.
   Example: Governments have imposed stringent laws on human cloning practices.

3. Ethical /ˈɛθɪkəl/: (adj) Relating to moral principles.
   Example: Ethical concerns remain a central issue in the cloning debate.

4. Exploitation /ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/: (noun) The action of using someone unfairly for one’s own advantage.
   Example: Some argue human cloning could lead to the exploitation of individuals.

5. Interference /ˌɪntərˈfɪərəns/: (noun) The action of interfering or meddling in something.
   Example: There are fears about human interference with the natural order.

6. Bioweapon /ˈbaɪoʊˌwɛpən/: (noun) A harmful biological agent used as a weapon to cause disease.
   Example: The misuse of gene technologies for creating bioweapons is a significant risk.

7. Ramification /ˌræmɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/: (noun) A consequence of an action or event, especially when complex or unwelcome.
   Example: The ethical ramifications of cloning are still debated globally.

8. Infertility /ɪnfəˈtɜːlɪti/: (noun) Inability to conceive offspring.
   Example: Cloning technology can potentially solve infertility issues.

9. Existential /ˌɛgzɪˈstɛnʃəl/: (adj) Relating to existence.
   Example: Human cloning raises existential questions about identity and individuality.

10. Ecological /ˌɛkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl/: (adj) Relating to ecology or the environment.
    Example: Cloning’s ecological implications must be carefully examined.

Conclusion

In summary, cloning technology and ethical concerns present an important topic for the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam. The tasks provided above help candidates practice how to condense complex ideas into a single sentence – an essential skill in the exam. Cloning is not only a topic heavily debated in real life but also one that frequently appears in exams. Make sure to practice regularly with similar tasks to improve your PTE performance.

For further insights into related topics, you can explore more about Genetic engineering’s role in medicine and its influence on modern society.