The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE Speaking & Writing section tests your ability to condense complex passages into a clear and concise sentence. One of the common topics hitting the exam recently is energy consumption, and more specifically, energy consumption related to cryptocurrency mining. This article provides comprehensive practice tasks built around this topic and offers key insights into producing high-quality summaries.
Understanding Summarize Written Text and its Importance
Summarize Written Text is one of the more challenging components of the PTE exam. Candidates are tasked with summarizing a passage in one sentence. A well-structured answer captures the main ideas while being grammatically correct and concise.
One topic growing in relevance and frequency in these tasks is the environmental impact, especially concerning cryptocurrency. With the rising popularity of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, energy consumption in mining them has drawn widespread attention. Let’s step into practical examples relating to this issue.
Sample Summarize Written Text Task 1: Energy Consumption in Cryptocurrency Mining
Task Prompt
Cryptocurrency mining, particularly Bitcoin mining, consumes massive amounts of electricity as it involves solving complex mathematical equations through computer systems, which require high computing power. As of recent, Bitcoin mining alone contributes to a significant portion of the electricity consumption worldwide, which is comparable to the electricity usage of entire countries. This massive energy consumption has led to environmental concerns, primarily due to the reliance on fossil fuels for electricity generation, which exacerbates global carbon emissions. While companies and specialists within the blockchain space are investigating solutions to reduce this footprint, such as using renewable energy sources, the rising demand for cryptocurrencies makes the issue increasingly urgent.
Your response must be a single sentence that summarizes the main point of the given text.
Model Answers
Band 90+ Sample:
Bitcoin mining consumes enormous amounts of electricity, comparable to the energy consumption of entire countries, contributing significantly to global carbon emissions due to its reliance on fossil fuels, although efforts are being made to reduce its environmental impact through renewable energy solutions.
Analysis:
- Content: Comprehensive and covers all essential elements of the prompt.
- Form: One complete sentence, 45 words.
- Grammar: Excellent use of complex structures and punctuation.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate academic vocabulary like “enormous”, “reliance”, and “renewable energy”.
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 80+ Sample:
The large amount of electricity used in Bitcoin mining, which equals the consumption of many countries, is causing environmental harm, but renewable energy solutions are being explored to mitigate its effects.
Analysis:
- Content: Captures the main ideas, though slightly less detailed than the 90+ version.
- Form: Single sentence, effective at 33 words.
- Grammar: Correct, but less varied in sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Good use of terms like “mitigate” and “renewable”.
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 70+ Sample:
Bitcoin mining uses a huge amount of energy, which causes environmental problems, but there are ways to make it more sustainable with renewable energy.
Analysis:
- Content: Covers key points but lacks detail on the scale and urgency.
- Form: Clear sentence, 24 words.
- Grammar: Correct but simpler structures.
- Vocabulary: Less formal, with phrases like “huge amount” instead of “enormous consumption”.
- Spelling: No errors.
Sample Summarize Written Text Task 2: Environmental Policies in Cryptocurrency Mining
Task Prompt
Recently, many governments and environmental organizations have raised concerns about the high energy demand of cryptocurrency mining. For instance, a number of Scandinavian countries have stringent regulations over energy use in cryptocurrency mining, promoting renewable energy solutions. Some regions, however, are still lagging behind, relying on coal and other harmful energy sources, which cause significant environmental degradation and raise questions about the long-term sustainability of cryptocurrency adoption on a larger scale.
Summarize the text in one sentence.
Model Answers
Band 90+ Sample:
While some governments, particularly in Scandinavia, have implemented stringent regulations to ensure cryptocurrency mining relies on renewable energy sources, other regions continue to use environmentally damaging energy, raising concerns over the sustainability of large-scale cryptocurrency adoption.
Analysis:
- Content: Comprehensive and holistic mention of both environmental efforts and concerns.
- Form: One sentence, 37 words.
- Grammar: Effective use of clauses and punctuation.
- Vocabulary: Formal, with well-chosen words like “stringent”, “damaging”, and “sustainability”.
- Spelling: Spotless.
Band 80+ Sample:
Some governments have enacted strict regulations to ensure cryptocurrency mining uses renewable energy, whereas other regions still depend on harmful sources, which threatens the environment.
Analysis:
- Content: Covers the key points but slightly less specific regarding the global nature of the problem.
- Form: Single sentence, 27 words.
- Grammar: Grammatically correct with varying sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate, though simpler than the 90+, especially “threatens” vs “raises concerns over”.
- Spelling: Flawless.
Band 70+ Sample:
Governments in some places have rules for renewable energy in cryptocurrency mining, but other areas use bad sources that harm the environment.
Analysis:
- Content: Contains the key elements, yet lacks depth in description and analysis.
- Form: Single sentence, 21 words.
- Grammar: Simple and correct, with less variety.
- Vocabulary: Basic, terms like “rules” and “bad” are far less formal.
- Spelling: No mistakes.
Key Vocabulary and Useful Grammar
Here are ten key words from the provided tasks to help improve your vocabulary for the PTE exam:
| Word | Pronunciation | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptocurrency | /ˌkrɪptəʊˈkʌrənsi/ | Digital currency operating peer-to-peer without central authority | Cryptocurrency is reshaping global finance. |
| Emission | /ɪˈmɪʃən/ | The release of substances, typically gases, into the environment | Large emissions of CO2 contribute to global warming. |
| Sustainability | /ˌsʌstəˈneɪbɪlɪti/ | The ability to maintain ecological balance over time | Sustainability is key to preserving our planet. |
| Renewable | /rɪˈnjuːəbəl/ | Capable of being replenished naturally | Solar and wind are renewable energy sources. |
| Regulation | /ˌrɛɡjʊˈleɪʃən/ | A rule made by an authority to manage a process | Governments impose regulations on mining operations. |
| Degradation | /ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃən/ | The process of degrading or being degraded | The degradation of forests is causing a decline in biodiversity. |
| Stringent | /ˈstrɪndʒənt/ | Strict, precise, and exacting | Scandinavian countries have stringent environmental laws. |
| Fossil fuels | /ˈfɒsl fjuːəlz/ | Natural fuels formed from the remains of living organisms | Burning fossil fuels leads to significant pollution levels. |
| Mitigate | /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/ | To make less severe or serious | Policies are being developed to mitigate climate change. |
| Adoption | /əˈdɒpʃən/ | The act of taking on or starting to use something | Cryptocurrency adoption is affecting modern economies. |
Conclusion
Summarize Written Text tasks can include topics like Energy Consumption In Cryptocurrency Mining, which are relevant to today’s environmental and technological discussions. Practicing these tasks will not only prepare you for the PTE exam but also improve your ability to summarize complex ideas effectively. We encourage you to try writing various summaries, share your thoughts, and engage actively in your preparation.
