The Summarize Written Text task in the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE Academic exam requires test takers to compress a relatively long text into a single sentence that captures the main ideas while adhering to strict rules. In this article, we will explore a key topic: Food Deserts and Urban Planning, which is increasingly relevant in the world today and frequently appears in language proficiency exams like the PTE. Below, we’ve provided a selection of sample Summarize Written Text tasks to help you practice.
Importance of Food Deserts and Urban Planning in PTE Summarize Written Text
Food Deserts And Urban Planning are topics that often find their way into academic writing because they are both significant for modern society. A food desert refers to areas where access to affordable, healthy, and nutritious food is limited. This concept is often discussed in the context of urban sprawl and inadequate urban planning. As cities grow, these topics become concerns for health, equity, and sustainable development. Therefore, expect to encounter similar themes in your PTE exam and be prepared to tackle them in tasks like Summarize Written Text.
Sample Summarize Written Text Task
Here is a sample prompt for practice. Read the text below and summarize it in one sentence. Your response must include the main points of the text, be one complete sentence between 5 and 75 words, and be grammatically correct.
Task 1: Food Deserts and Urban Planning
Food deserts are areas where residents have limited access to healthy food, typically because grocery stores are too far away. These areas often overlap with low-income neighborhoods, disproportionately affecting the health and well-being of residents. Urban planning plays a crucial role in preventing food deserts by integrating grocery stores, farmers markets, and public transportation into the infrastructure. However, improper planning can lead to long-term consequences, such as increased rates of obesity, diabetes, and other diet-related health problems.
Summarize the written text in one sentence.
Sample Responses by Band Score
Band 90 Response
Food deserts, which disproportionately affect low-income neighborhoods by limiting access to healthy food, can lead to long-term health problems like obesity and diabetes, making the role of urban planning in providing essential infrastructure crucial to addressing this issue.
- Content: Captures all key ideas about food deserts, their impact on low-income neighborhoods, and how urban planning can mitigate health problems.
- Form: Accurate form adhering to the one-sentence structure.
- Grammar: Perfect grammar — no errors.
- Vocabulary: Excellent choice of words, academic and precise.
- Spelling: No spelling mistakes.
Band 75 Response
Food deserts are places where access to nutritious food is limited due to poor urban planning, which can lead to health problems especially in low-income communities.
- Content: Covers the main points but lacks detail about the role of public transportation and other infrastructures.
- Form: Correct form, clear and concise.
- Grammar: Correct, with no mistakes.
- Vocabulary: Adequate but not as precise or varied as the higher band.
- Spelling: No mistakes.
Band 65 Response
Food deserts, often found in poorer areas, are caused by insufficient urban planning and can make people unhealthy.
- Content: Touches on the main concepts, but key details like specific health issues and transportation are missing.
- Form: Adheres to the guidelines, although the sentence is less complex.
- Grammar: Grammatically sound.
- Vocabulary: Uses simpler vocabulary and lacks depth.
- Spelling: No mistakes.
Band 50 Response
In food deserts, people don’t have healthy food nearby, which can cause health issues like obesity in poor areas.
- Content: Very basic coverage with some key points missing.
- Form: The sentence is simple but correct.
- Grammar: Basic grammar, no errors.
- Vocabulary: Lacks variety and academic tone.
- Spelling: No mistakes.
Vocabulary and Grammar
Here are 10 challenging words from the text with their pronunciation, meaning, and examples:
-
Proportionate (prəˈpɔːʃənət)
Definition: Corresponding in size or amount to something else.
Example: The level of pollution is proportionate to the population density in an area. -
Infrastructure (ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər)
Definition: The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society.
Example: Urban planners need to invest in infrastructure to ensure public services are evenly distributed. -
Disproportionately (ˌdɪsprəˈpɔːʃənətli)
Definition: To an extent that is too large or too small in relation to something else.
Example: Low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by food deserts. -
Mitigate (ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt)
Definition: To make something less severe or serious.
Example: Implementing public transportation can help mitigate the effects of food deserts. -
Obesity (əʊˈbiːsɪti)
Definition: The condition of being grossly overweight.
Example: Food deserts are linked to rising levels of obesity in urban areas. -
Prevalence (prɛvələns)
Definition: The fact or condition of being widespread.
Example: The prevalence of food deserts highlights the need for better urban planning. -
Nutrition (njuːˈtrɪʃən)
Definition: The process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for growth and health.
Example: A lack of access to nutrition is a major issue in food deserts. -
Equitable (ˈɛkwɪtəbl)
Definition: Fair and impartial.
Example: Urban planning should aim for an equitable distribution of food resources. -
Urbanization (ˌəːbənaɪˈzeɪʃən)
Definition: The process of making an area more urban in character.
Example: Rapid urbanization caused a strain on the available food supply. -
Diabetes (ˌdaɪəˈbiːtiːz)
Definition: A disease that occurs when blood sugar is too high.
Example: Poor diet in food desert areas has contributed to a diabetes epidemic.
Conclusion
The topic of Food Deserts and Urban Planning is increasingly prevalent in academic discussions, making it a frequent subject for Summarize Written Text in the PTE exam. Through practice using realistic scenarios like the one provided above, coupled with a focus on vocabulary, structure, and overall coherence, you will improve your performance on this crucial section of the PTE. Don’t hesitate to practice more and feel free to share your answers or challenges in the comments to engage with the learning community!
