Cultural Preservation Through Technology – Summarize Written Text in PTE Exam

The Summarize Written Text task within the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE exam is designed to assess your ability to comprehend written content and condense it into a single concise sentence. Among popular topics in this part of the test, “Cultural Preservation Through Technology” offers a relevant and timely subject matter for candidates to practice.

In this article, we will provide sample questions on this topic and analyze the responses for different band scores to help you understand how to achieve high marks. This will not only familiarize you with exam question formats but also help you understand the importance of content, form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling in this section of the PTE.

Sample Summarize Written Text Questions

Below is a Summarize Written Text sample that revolves around cultural preservation through technological innovations. Your task is to summarize the given text into one sentence:

Question 1:

“As technological advancements have permeated every aspect of human life, they now play an essential role in the preservation of cultural heritage. From digitizing ancient manuscripts to using virtual reality to recreate lost cities, technology is offering solutions to save and transmit the knowledge of past civilizations to future generations. Furthermore, digital archives and social media tools help communities safeguard their customs and traditions, allowing them to thrive in a rapidly globalizing world. Through these means, cultural preservation is no longer confined to physical objects or local spaces but rather extends into a global network accessible to anyone, anywhere.”

Summarize the written text in one sentence.

Sample Responses and Analysis

Band Score 90:
Technological advancements have greatly contributed to the preservation of cultural heritage by digitizing ancient artifacts and creating global networks, which ensure access to cultural traditions and knowledge for future generations.

• Content: Fully covers key points such as digitization, global accessibility, and cultural preservation tools.
• Form: Perfectly meets the one-sentence rule in 32 words.
• Grammar: Excellent use of complex grammar with correct punctuation.
• Vocabulary: Strong word choice, including “digitizing,” “artifacts,” and “accessibility.”
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 75:
Technology has played a vital role in preserving cultural heritage by digitizing historical information and providing easy access to worldwide users.

• Content: Covers main ideas but lacks details about virtual reality and social media platforms.
• Form: Correct length with clear structure.
• Grammar: Good grammar usage, though simpler than a band 90 response.
• Vocabulary: Basic but accurate word choice.
• Spelling: No mistakes.

Band Score 60:
Technology helps save culture by making it available to everyone online.

• Content: Only mentions the global dissemination of culture without providing specifics on tools or methods.
• Form: Follows the form guideline but lacks depth.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure that limits overall complexity.
• Vocabulary: Very basic, lacks specificity.
• Spelling: No errors.

Vocabulary and Grammar Breakdown

Here are 10 key vocabulary words from the passage, along with their pronunciation, meanings, and examples of use:

1. Digitization /ˌdɪdʒɪtaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (noun)
   The process of converting information into a digital format.
   Example: The museum’s digitization project preserves its rare manuscripts.

2. Cultural Heritage /ˈkʌltʃ(ə)rəl ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/ (noun)
   The legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society.
   Example: The UNESCO project aims to protect endangered cultural heritage.

3. Virtual Reality /ˈvɜːtʃuəl rɪˈælɪti/ (noun)
   A computer-simulated environment that can be similar to or completely different from the real world.
   Example: Virtual reality helps users explore ancient civilizations.

4. Manuscript /ˈmanjʊskrɪpt/ (noun)
   A handwritten or typed document, especially a writer’s original draft.
   Example: The centuries-old manuscript has been safely archived digitally.

5. Globalization /ˌɡləʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/ (noun)
   The process of interaction and integration among people, companies, and governments worldwide.
   Example: Globalization has accelerated the sharing of cultural practices.

6. Customs /ˈkʌstəmz/ (noun)
   Traditional practices passed down through generations.
   Example: Each region has its own customs and traditions.

7. Artifacts /ˈɑːtɪfækt/ (noun)
   Objects made or shaped by human beings, typically an item of cultural or historical interest.
   Example: Artifacts from the ancient city are now digitally exhibited.

8. Preservation /ˌprɛzərˈveɪʃən/ (noun)
   The action of protecting something from harm or destruction.
   Example: Cultural preservation is benefiting from cutting-edge technologies.

9. Accessibility /əkˌsɛsɪˈbɪlɪti/ (noun)
   The quality of being easy to approach, reach, or use.
   Example: Digital archives improve accessibility to historical documents.

10. Archives /ˈɑːkɪv/ (noun)
    A collection of historical documents or records providing information about past events.
    Example: The government maintains an extensive archive of official records.

Conclusion

Incorporating cultural preservation through technology into your PTE Summarize Written Text practice ensures exposure to real-world topical scenarios that are increasingly common in the exam. Using digitization, archives, and modern digital tools is not only central to safeguarding cultural heritage but also represents a growing trend in PTE topics. To enhance your performance further, you may explore Cultural preservation through community initiatives, which also highlights the importance of cultural efforts worldwide.

We recommend practicing regularly and carefully analyzing sample answers to refine your technique and maximize your score. Keep up the good work, and feel free to leave any questions or thoughts in the comments below!