In this article, we will provide you with several sample Summarize Written Text practice questions based on this topic, along with model answers. These examples will help you understand how this specific task functions, and how best to tackle it.
Practice Summarize Written Text Task: Cultural Exchange Through Digital Media
Below, we share multiple sample questions to help candidates practice the Summarize Written Text task. Each question discusses the significance of cultural exchange enabled by modern digital media platforms. Digital media plays a pivotal role in bridging cultural gaps, often through social media, online communities, and mass media. If you’re interested in learning more about these insights, check out our page on Social media’s role in shaping culture.
Sample Task 1 (Cultural Diversity in Social Media)
Task: Summarize the following text in one sentence.
“With the proliferation of digital platforms, particularly social media like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, cultural exchange around the globe has accelerated. Creating easy access to varying cultural expressions, these platforms allow communities to share traditions, languages, and values, fostering broader understanding. Moreover, individuals often learn from these diverse cultural perspectives, indicating the growing relevance of online platforms in bridging cultural distinctions. Additionally, this cultural exchange helps combat stereotypes and promotes inclusivity in a world that is increasingly interconnected through technological advancements.”
Answer Key & Response Analysis
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Band 90 Response (A well-summarized sentence with precision and strong grammar):
Digital platforms such as Facebook and Instagram foster rapid cultural exchange by enabling communities to share traditions, which helps bridge cultural gaps, combat stereotypes, and promote inclusivity.
Content: All key points are included, emphasizing the role of social media in bridging cultural gaps.
Form: Excellent (16-75 words).
Grammar: Advanced sentence structure with cohesion.
Vocabulary: Strong (e.g., “foster,” “combat,” “inclusivity”).
Spelling: Correct. -
Band 75 Response (Slightly less refined but still accurate):
Digital platforms enable cultural exchange by allowing communities to share traditions and values, which overall helps bridge cultural gaps.
Content: Main points included, but lacks richness in supporting ideas such as combating stereotypes.
Form: Appropriate length.
Grammar: Correct but simple.
Vocabulary: Adequate.
Spelling: Correct. -
Band 65 Response (Less detail, but still covers the core concept):
Social media platforms allow cultural exchange and help different communities learn from each other’s traditions and values.
Content: Covers main idea but omits finer details.
Form: Excellent.
Grammar: Basic but accurate.
Vocabulary: Functional but not expansive.
Spelling: Correct.
Digital platforms accelerating cultural exchange on social media
Sample Task 2 (Impact of Streaming Services on Cultural Exchange)
Task: Summarize the following text in one sentence.
“Streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube have transformed cultural exchanges by providing content that transcends borders. Through subtitled films, videos, and documentaries, individuals worldwide are exposed to stories reflecting different cultural identities and experiences. This consumption of international content broadens global understanding and helps viewers appreciate cultural diversity, making digital platforms instrumental in creating a connected world where cultures mutually influence each other.”
Answer Key & Response Analysis
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Band 90 Response:
Digital streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube support global cultural exchange by offering subtitled content that helps individuals appreciate different cultures and promotes mutual cultural influences.
Content: Incorporates all critical details, including the mention of specific platforms and their global impact.
Form: Excellent.
Grammar: Advanced cohesion and passive construction.
Vocabulary: Strong, particularly with “mutual cultural influences” and “appreciate.”
Spelling: Correct. -
Band 75 Response:
Netflix and YouTube support cultural exchange by providing subtitled content that helps people understand and appreciate different cultures.
Content: Lacks depth with fewer supporting ideas mentioned (e.g., “mutual cultural influences”).
Form: Appropriate.
Grammar: Simple but grammatically correct.
Vocabulary: Adequate.
Spelling: Correct. -
Band 65 Response:
Platforms like YouTube and Netflix help people learn about other cultures through subtitled content.
Content: Core idea captured, but several important concepts omitted.
Form: Excellent.
Grammar: Basic but accurate.
Vocabulary: Limited.
Spelling: Correct.
Streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube promoting global cultural exchange
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
To boost your writing and speaking score on the PTE exam, it’s essential to be comfortable with certain advanced vocabulary and grammatical structures. Below is a selection of complex words relating to cultural exchange and digital media, which often appear in PTE exams:
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Proliferation /prəˌlɪfəˈreɪʃn/
(n.) rapid increase in number
Example: The proliferation of digital platforms has accelerated cultural exchange globally. -
Inclusivity /ˌɪnkluːˈsɪvədi/
(n.) the practice or policy of including people who might otherwise be excluded
Example: Social media promotes inclusivity across different cultural groups. -
Transcend /trænˈsɛnd/
(v.) to go beyond or exceed limits
Example: Streaming services have transcended borders by offering international content. -
Subtitles /ˈsʌbˌtaɪtlz/
(n.) text displayed on a screen to represent dialogue
Example: Many films on Netflix include subtitles, making them accessible to non-native speakers. -
Mutual /ˈmjuːtʃuəl/
(adj.) shared by two or more parties
Example: Cultural exchange results in mutual understanding between diverse communities. -
Stereotypes /ˈsteriəˌtaɪps/
(n.) oversimplified images or ideas about groups of people
Example: Cultural exchange can dispel harmful stereotypes. -
Instrumental /ˌɪnstrəˈmɛntəl/
(adj.) serving as a crucial means to an end
Example: Digital platforms are instrumental in fostering intercultural understanding. -
Bridging /brɪdʒɪŋ/
(v.) reducing the distance between two ideas, cultures, or people
Example: Social media plays a key role in bridging cultural differences. -
Consumption /kənˈsʌmpʃən/
(n.) the action of using or taking in goods, services, or information
Example: The consumption of international media has increased cultural awareness. -
Globalization /ɡloʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
(n.) process of interaction and integration among people and organizations worldwide
Example: Digital globalization has facilitated the flow of cultural content across borders.
Conclusion
Cultural exchange through digital media is a dynamic and ever-evolving topic within the PTE Summarize Written Text task. The examples provided here can guide your practice and deepen your understanding of summarizing effectively while keeping your responses concise and accurate. Please explore other related topics, such as The role of mass media in culture and Cultural diversity in global media to broaden your knowledge. Keep practicing, and feel free to share your thoughts and answers in the comments below!
