Summarize Written Text Practice: Digital Banking and Cybersecurity Measures in PTE Test

The Summarize Written Text (SWT) is an integral part of the PTE Speaking & Writing section, where test-takers are required to condense a given passage into a summary using one sentence. Understanding key patterns commonly featured in real-world topics such as Digital Banking and Cybersecurity Measures can help in preparing for this task more effectively. In this post, we will create practice questions on this subject, provide sample answers across different band levels, and offer a detailed breakdown of the scoring criteria like content, form, grammar, and vocabulary.

Digital Banking and Cybersecurity Measures Example

Task Instructions:

Summarize the passage in one sentence. Your response will be judged on its quality and clarity, so write a complete, grammatically correct sentence.

With the swift transformation of traditional banking to digital platforms, the need for robust cybersecurity measures becomes increasingly critical. The rapid development of mobile banking apps, online services, and digital payment systems provide consumers with convenience, but they also expose them to a higher risk of cyber threats, including malware attacks, identity theft, and financial fraud. To combat these risks, financial institutions are now investing heavily in advanced security protocols like multi-factor authentication (MFA), end-to-end encryption, and artificial intelligence tools to monitor and detect suspicious activities. Furthermore, education on cybersecurity policies for both employees and customers is essential in maintaining a secure banking environment.

Sample Answer – Band 90

As digital banking accelerates, financial institutions must adopt sophisticated cybersecurity protocols such as multi-factor authentication, end-to-end encryption, and AI monitoring to protect consumers from evolving cyber threats like malware, identity theft, and fraud.

Breakdown:

• Content: The summary accurately captures all the key ideas, including both the challenges (cyber threats) and the preventive measures (security protocols).
• Form: The response is a single, complete sentence.
• Grammar: No grammatical errors.
• Vocabulary: Good use of advanced vocabulary like “sophisticated,” “evolving,” and “protocols.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Sample Answer – Band 80

Due to the rise of digital banking, financial institutions are improving cybersecurity measures such as multi-factor authentication and AI tools to prevent cyber attacks like identity theft and fraud.

Breakdown:

• Content: The key points are correctly identified, with some loss in detail compared to the Band 90 answer.
• Form: The sentence follows a correct structure.
• Grammar: No grammatical issues.
• Vocabulary: Sufficient use of relevant terms, but less variety compared to a top score.
• Spelling: No spelling issues noted.

Sample Answer – Band 70

Banks are focusing more on cybersecurity to stop threats like malware and identity theft as online banking grows quickly.

Breakdown:

• Content: The response includes the main idea but misses more advanced details about the specific security measures.
• Form: The sentence is still valid but lacks complexity.
• Grammar: Acceptable grammar, although simpler in structure.
• Vocabulary: Simpler vocabulary, but still relevant to the topic.
• Spelling: No errors.

Sample Answer – Band 60

More people are using online banking, so banks need cybersecurity to stop things like fraud and malware.

Breakdown:

• Content: The core concept is present, but important terminology and nuances are missing.
• Form: A single sentence, though very basic.
• Grammar: Adequate but basic grammatical structure.
• Vocabulary: Very simple, lacking advanced terms like “authentication” or “encryption.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Vocabulary and Grammar Enhancement

Here are ten important words related to the topic, along with their pronunciation, definition, and an example sentence to help you expand your vocabulary:

1. Malware /ˈmælweər/ (noun)
   Definition: Software designed to disrupt, damage, or gain unauthorized access to a computer system.
   Example: “Banking apps must be designed to protect against malware infections.”

2. Authentication /ɔːθɛnˈtɪkɪʃ(ə)n/ (noun)
   Definition: The process of verifying the identity of a user.
   Example: “Multi-factor authentication significantly reduces the risk of unauthorized access.”

3. Encryption /ɪnˈkrɪpʃən/ (noun)
   Definition: The process of converting information into code to prevent unauthorized access.
   Example: “All sensitive data must be protected with strong encryption protocols.”

4. Fraud /frɔːd/ (noun)
   Definition: Wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gains.
   Example: “Cyber fraud has been on the rise with the advent of online banking.”

5. End-to-End Encryption /ɛnd tuː ɛnd ɪnˈkrɪpʃən/ (noun phrase)
   Definition: A method of transmitting data where only the communicating users can read the messages.
   Example: “End-to-end encryption keeps client communications secure.”

6. Cybersecurity /ˈsaɪbərsɪˌkjʊərɪti/ (noun)
   Definition: Practices and measures taken to protect systems from cyber attacks.
   Example: “Cybersecurity measures must evolve to keep up with new threats.”

7. Artificial Intelligence /ˌɑːtɪˈfɪʃəl ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒəns/ (noun)
   Definition: The simulation of human intelligence by machines, especially computer systems.
   Example: “Banks are incorporating artificial intelligence to detect fraudulent transactions.”

8. Identity Theft /aɪˈdɛntɪti θɛft/ (noun phrase)
   Definition: The fraudulent acquisition and use of a person’s private identifying information.
   Example: “Education on identity theft prevention is crucial for online banking customers.”

9. Monitor /ˈmɒnɪtər/ (verb)
   Definition: To observe and check the progress or quality of something over a period of time.
   Example: “Financial institutions use AI to monitor real-time transaction data for suspicious activity.”

10. Protocol /ˈprəʊtəˌkɒl/ (noun)
    Definition: A set of rules governing the exchange or transmission of data between devices.
    Example: “New security protocols must be implemented swiftly to mitigate cyber risks.”

Conclusion

The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE exam frequently covers modern and relevant topics like Digital Banking And Cybersecurity Measures. As you prepare, practicing such samples enhances your summarization skills and ensures you’re better equipped to tackle real test questions. These topics reflect genuine challenges many industries face today, making your responses not only practice-focused but educational and insightful as well!

For more examples that dive further into the use cases related to digital developments, visit our related post: Digital identities in the modern world.

Make sure to leave your ideas and practice responses in the comments below and keep working to improve your exam performance!