The Summarize Written Text
In this article, we present some exemplary Summarize Written Text tasks related to the theme of space exploration and its ethical implications. We’ll provide thorough analyses and sample answers for various performance levels to help you optimize your preparation.
Summarize Written Text: Task Example and Guidelines
Given text in Summarize Written Text typically ranges from 150-400 words, focusing on a specific issue or topic. Test-takers should summarize the passage in one sentence, no more than 75 words.
Practice Task 1: Environmental Ethics in Space Exploration
Humanity’s growing interest in space exploration has sparked concerns about how our activities beyond Earth’s atmosphere will affect celestial bodies. Scientific exploration, although crucial for understanding the solar system, is raising questions about the ethical treatment of other planets, moons, and asteroids. Some argue that we have a moral obligation to protect these environments from contamination, while others see the expanse of space as an opportunity for unrestricted development. The question remains whether international guidelines will effectively prevent irreversible harm to extraterrestrial environments.
Instruction: Summarize the text in one sentence. Your response should be between 5-75 words.
Sample Answers and Performance Analysis
Band 90 – Model Response
The increasing interest in space exploration has raised moral and ethical concerns regarding the potential contamination of celestial bodies, with debates revolving around the need to protect extraterrestrial environments versus the desire for unrestricted development, and the effectiveness of international guidelines remains uncertain.
Analysis:
- Content: Comprehensive, all key points covered.
- Form: Well-structured, concise one-sentence summary (68 words).
- Grammar: Advanced grammar and sentence formation, no mistakes.
- Vocabulary: Rich use of relevant terms such as “celestial bodies,” “contamination,” and “international guidelines.”
- Spelling: No spelling errors noted.
Band 75 – High Proficiency Response
Humans’ interest in space exploration has raised ethical concerns about space contamination, with debates surrounding the protection of celestial environments and the role of international guidelines.
Analysis:
- Content: Covers the main ideas but misses some nuances like “unrestricted development.”
- Form: Clear and within word limit (28 words).
- Grammar: Grammatically sound.
- Vocabulary: Good use of vocabulary, but slightly less sophisticated than a higher band.
- Spelling: No issues.
Band 65 – Moderate Proficiency Response
Space exploration brings ethical concerns about potential contamination and whether there should be guidelines to protect planets or allow development.
Analysis:
- Content: Addresses core topics but overly simplified, lacks key qualifiers like “celestial bodies” and “unrestricted development”.
- Form: Clear structure, but contains limited analysis (24 words).
- Grammar: Correct but lacks complexity.
- Vocabulary: Simpler use of language.
- Spelling: Accurate spelling.
Band 50 – Fair Response
The exploration of space can cause environmental problems, so it is important to have guidelines.
Analysis:
- Content: Lacks depth and key elements of the passage (16 words).
- Form: Too short and oversimplified.
- Grammar: Basic sentence structure without errors, but too simple.
- Vocabulary: Minimal use of relevant vocabulary from the passage.
- Spelling: Accurate spelling.
Summarize Written Text: Task Example 2 – Broader Context of Space Ethics
The expansion of space activity, including scientific research, commercial exploitation, and potential colonization, raises questions about the long-term preservation of celestial environments. Concerns about preventing contamination focus not only on physical damage but also on the introduction of organisms from Earth that may disrupt these ecosystems. Furthermore, the sharing of space resources continues to be debated, with stakeholders from different countries having varied interests and ethical perspectives on space governance.
Instruction: Summarize the text in one sentence. Your response should be between 5-75 words.
Sample Answers and Performance Analysis
Band 90 – Model Response
Ethical concerns about space activities such as research, commercial exploitation, and colonization include the prevention of physical and biological contamination of celestial environments, with ongoing debates about resource sharing and the ethical aspects of international space governance.
Band 75 – High Proficiency Response
There are ethical concerns over space exploration, including preventing contamination of celestial bodies and discussions about resource sharing and governance.
Band 65 – Moderate Proficiency Response
Space exploration raises ethical questions about contamination and how countries should share space resources.
Band 50 – Fair Response
People are worried about contamination from space exploitation and how to divide resources.
Vocabulary & Grammar
Here are some key vocabulary words found in the provided texts.
| Word | Phonetic | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celestial | /sɪˈlɛstɪəl/ | Related to the sky or outer space. | The celestial bodies in our solar system include planets and asteroids. |
| Contamination | /kənˌtæmɪˈneɪʃən/ | The action of making something impure by exposure to or addition of pollutants. | Space contamination remains a pressing issue for ethical exploration. |
| Ecosystem | /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/ | A biological community of interacting organisms and their environment. | Introducing Earth organisms into space ecosystems may cause disruption. |
| Governance | /ˈɡʌvərnəns/ | The administration and oversight of a system or institution. | Space governance must be established to regulate activities in space. |
| Exploitation | /ˌɛksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/ | The utilization of a resource for profit or practical use. | Space exploitation has led to debates about international responsibility. |
| Preservation | /ˌprɛzərˈveɪʃən/ | The act of maintaining or safeguarding something from harm. | Preservation of celestial environments is a key aspect of ethical debate. |
| Colonization | /ˌkɒlənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ | The establishment of settlements in new areas. | Colonization of space raises moral questions on environmental impacts. |
| Stakeholders | /ˈsteɪkˌhoʊldərz/ | Groups or individuals with an interest in a particular issue or area. | Different stakeholders have competing interests regarding space resources. |
| Debates | /dɪˈbeɪts/ | Discussions involving different points of view. | Debates on ethical space exploration continue among scientists. |
| Guidelines | /ˈɡaɪd.laɪnz/ | Official recommendations or rules on how something should be done. | International guidelines on space use aim to prevent environmental damage. |
Conclusion
Incorporating the theme of Environmental Ethics in Space Exploration into your PTE Summarize Written Text practice not only enhances your understanding of global issues but also increases your readiness for real exam situations. This theme is considered particularly relevant due to the ongoing interest in outer space and the potential consequences of humanity’s space activities. Keep practicing with similar texts to refine your skills, and feel free to post your summaries or questions in the comment section below to get feedback or additional insights!
