In the PTE (Pearson Test of English), the Summarize Written Text task in the Speaking & Writing section evaluates candidates’ ability to comprehend, identify key points and then summarize them into a concise, well-formed sentence. Among various common themes, the topic of Cyberbullying’s impact on mental health frequently appears due to its relevance in today’s digital age. In this article, we’ll explore a sample of Summarize Written Text tasks closely resembling real PTE exam questions on the topic, along with strategies for improving your performance.
Sample PTE Summarize Written Text Tasks: Cyberbullying’s Impact on Mental Health
Below is a sample task on the topic of cyberbullying and its significant influence on mental health, followed by suggested answers for different PTE band scores.
Task (Summarize Written Text)
Cyberbullying remains a prominent concern in today’s digital world and poses a severe risk to the mental health of young individuals. While it can have several different forms — harassment via social media, emails, or instant messaging — each case can lead to serious consequences, such as anxiety, depression, lower self-esteem, and even suicidal tendencies. Victims often experience feelings of isolation, as they believe they have nowhere to turn for help. Research has shown that ongoing exposure to cyberbullying can lead to chronic mental health disorders, affecting an individual’s ability to function in work, school, and social settings. Furthermore, the anonymity of online platforms enables bullies to act without fear of consequence, which only exacerbates the issue. Governments and organizations worldwide are striving to introduce anti-bullying strategies, from educational initiatives to legal frameworks, to protect vulnerable individuals, but these initiatives remain work in progress. Cyberbullying needs to be addressed at both institutional and educational levels to ensure that online spaces are safe for everyone.
Summarize the text in one sentence.
Model Answers
Band 90 Answer
Cyberbullying poses a severe threat to mental health by leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicidal tendencies, as the anonymity of online platforms exacerbates the issue, while governments strive to introduce protective measures but more work remains to be done.
Analysis:
- Content: The response captures all the key points of the article, mentioning the types of risks cyberbullying presents to mental health and the ongoing efforts to introduce protective measures.
- Form: The sentence is concise and respects the word limit (between 5 and 75 words).
- Grammar: Correct usage of grammar, a well-structured sentence.
- Vocabulary: Advanced vocabulary such as “poses a threat,” “exacerbates,” and “introduce protective measures.”
- Spelling: No spelling issues.
Band 79 Answer
Cyberbullying leads to mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and while governments are trying to prevent it through legal and educational measures, more remains to be done.
Analysis:
- Content: The summary contains most of the key points, such as the impacts on mental health and governmental efforts.
- Form: It is within the word limit and summarized effectively.
- Grammar: Grammar is accurate.
- Vocabulary: Good vocabulary, though less advanced than the Band 90 answer.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band 65 Answer
Cyberbullying causes anxiety and depression, and the government is trying to stop it.
Analysis:
- Content: This summary mentions the main points but lacks details on the different forms of cyberbullying and the significance of online anonymity.
- Form: Appropriately formatted, the sentence is within the word limit.
- Grammar: Simple but correct grammar.
- Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary is used.
- Spelling: No spelling mistakes.
Vocabulary and Grammar Insights
Here are 10 key vocabulary words from the text, with their definitions, phonetic transcription, and examples of their usage in context:
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Cyberbullying /ˈsaɪ.bərˌbʊl.i.ɪŋ/ (noun): Use of online platforms to intimidate or harm individuals.
- Example: Cyberbullying has severe impacts on mental health, affecting self-esteem and social relationships.
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Mental health /ˈmen.təl hɛlθ/ (phrase): The state of well-being in which an individual realizes their own abilities and can manage the normal stresses of life.
- Example: Problems caused by cyberbullying can severely impact a person’s mental health.
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Anxiety /æŋˈzaɪ.ə.ti/ (noun): A state of worry or unease about possible future events.
- Example: Victims of cyberbullying often suffer from chronic anxiety and stress.
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Depression /dɪˈpreʃ.ən/ (noun): A mood disorder that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest.
- Example: Depression is one of the leading mental health issues associated with cyberbullying.
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Suicidal tendencies /ˈsuː.ɪ.saɪ.dəl ˈten.dən.siːz/ (phrase): Inclinations towards considering or attempting to take one’s own life.
- Example: In extreme cases, cyberbullying victims develop suicidal tendencies.
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Harassment /həˈræs.mənt/ (noun): Aggressive pressure or intimidation towards someone, often on a regular basis.
- Example: Online harassment can deeply affect someone’s mental and emotional stability.
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Isolation /ˌaɪ.səˈleɪ.ʃən/ (noun): The state of being separated from others, often leading to feelings of loneliness.
- Example: Many youths dealing with cyberbullying experience significant isolation.
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Anonymity /ˌæn.əˈnɪm.ə.ti/ (noun): The condition of being anonymous or unknown.
- Example: The anonymity provided by the internet makes it easier for bullies to attack their victims with impunity.
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Chronic /ˈkrɒn.ɪk/ (adjective): Persistent or recurring over a long period of time.
- Example: Chronic exposure to harassment can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s mental health.
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Educational initiatives /ˌɛd.jʊˈkeɪ.ʃən.əl ɪˈnɪʃ.ə.tɪvz/ (phrase): Programs or actions designed to promote learning or awareness about a specific issue.
- Example: Implementing educational initiatives is important for raising awareness about the dangers of cyberbullying.
Conclusion
The PTE Summarize Written Text task pushes test-takers to think critically, extract essential information, and compress it into a clear, single sentence. As illustrated with the Cyberbullying’s impact on mental health, these prompts often touch on current societal issues. It’s essential to practice this task regularly, employing strategies to master content comprehension, form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling.
For those interested, learn more about how cyberbullying affects mental health here, and don’t forget to test your skills by practicing more topics! If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below!
