The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE Speaking & Writing module is critical for demonstrating your ability to comprehend, condense, and present information accurately. Among the prominent topics tested is the Global Water Crisis And Conservation Efforts, a common theme that is highly relevant due to global environmental concerns and sustainable practices. This article provides valuable practice materials along with tips to excel in the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam, ensuring accuracy and preparation.
For further practice on related topics, you can read more about Climate change and its impact on ecosystems.
Importance of Global Water Crisis in PTE Summarize Written Text
The global water crisis refers to the increasing scarcity of freshwater resources in many parts of the world due to factors like climate change, over-extraction, urbanization, and pollution. Efforts in water conservation seek to redress this emergency. Understanding how to summarize these pivotal global issues prepares you for performing well in the PTE exam while keeping you engaged with timely and crucial environmental concerns.
Global water crisis factors and conservation map
Below are sample questions to practice as well as response ratings by different band scores so that you can assess your responses and benchmark them accordingly.
Global Water Crisis and Conservation Efforts Practice Set
Sample Summarize Written Text Prompt 1
Water is an essential resource, yet one in three people worldwide lacks access to safe drinking water. Industry, agriculture, and urban centers contribute significantly to water wastage. Additionally, climate change exacerbates the crisis by impacting water availability and exacerbating droughts. Experts advocate for conservation efforts, including efficient irrigation, recycling wastewater, rainwater harvesting, and emphasizing individual responsibility for reducing consumption. Furthermore, governments and organizations must implement effective regulations to safeguard water resources for future generations.
Summarize the passage in one sentence within 5-75 words.
Answers and Analysis
Band Score 79+ (High Response)
While water scarcity is a global issue influenced by human activities, industries, urban growth, and climate change, experts push for conservation measures such as efficient irrigation and governmental regulation to protect water resources for future use.
Feedback:
- Content: The response effectively summarizes all key points of the passage.
- Form: Single sentence within the word limit (39 words).
- Grammar: Clear and grammatically correct sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate use of academic vocabulary (e.g., “scarcity,” “influenced,” “implement”).
- Spelling: No mistakes.
Band Score 65-78 (Good Response)
Water scarcity is a pressing concern caused by factors like climate change and industry; conservation measures such as recycling water and efficient irrigation are needed to ensure resources for future generations.
Feedback:
- Content: The main ideas are included, although some details like regulatory efforts and government involvement could be clearer.
- Form: One sentence, 32 words, within the word limit.
- Grammar: Comprehensible; however, a more advanced sentence structure would strengthen the response.
- Vocabulary: Sufficient but could be slightly more sophisticated (e.g., “pressing concern” vs. “serious issue”).
- Spelling: No errors.
Band Score Below 65 (Low Response)
Water is needed by everyone, but climate change and agriculture are causing problems, and recycling water can help fix this.
Feedback:
- Content: The response is oversimplified—the key takeaway of government efforts and industry’s role is missing.
- Form: Single sentence, but too brief at 22 words.
- Grammar: Sentence structure could be improved.
- Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary is used, and more specific terminology could elevate the response (e.g., “recycling water” could be “wastewater recycling”).
- Spelling: No issues, but effort on precision is needed.
Global Water Crisis Summarize Written Text Samples – More Practice
Sample Summarize Written Text Prompt 2
Freshwater is scarce, making up only 3% of the world’s entire water supply, and much of it is locked inside glaciers or inaccessible underground. The growing demand for fresh water, coupled with mounting pollution from industrial and human waste, has affected both surface and groundwater. Desalination technologies and improved water management systems have emerged as important innovations, but greater international cooperation is required to manage transboundary water challenges and ensure universal access to clean water.
Summarize the passage in one sentence within 5-75 words.
Answers and Analysis
Band Score 79+ (High Response)
With only 3% of Earth’s water being fresh and accessible, pollution, coupled with human demand, further strains resources, prompting solutions like desalination, better management, and increased international cooperation to ensure global water security.
Feedback:
- Content: Comprehensive coverage of all crucial points.
- Form: Meets word count requirements (37 words).
- Grammar: Complex sentence structure is utilized effectively.
- Vocabulary: Advanced terms (e.g., “desalination,” “resources,” “cooperation”) are employed accurately.
- Spelling: Flawless.
Desalination plant processing seawater into fresh water
Band Score 65-78 (Good Response)
Freshwater is scarce, and human activity worsens the problem, but technologies like desalination and management systems can help if there is global cooperation.
Feedback:
- Content: Covers important points, but some detail (e.g., percentage of freshwater) is missing.
- Form: One concise sentence (27 words) within limits.
- Grammar: Simple but accurate sentence construction.
- Vocabulary: Adequate vocabulary but lacks diversity and specificity (e.g., simple words like “global cooperation” instead of “international cooperation”).
- Spelling: No errors.
Vocabulary & Grammar List for Summarize Written Text on Global Water Crisis
Below are 10 advanced vocabulary terms found in the sample questions that may benefit your understanding and help you score higher on the PTE exam:
-
Scarcity /ˈskɛːsɪti/ (n.): The state of something being in short supply.
Example: Water scarcity in arid regions affects millions of people. -
Desalination /diːˌsæləˈneɪʃən/ (n.): The process of removing salt from seawater to produce fresh water.
Example: Desalination technologies offer a promising solution to water shortage. -
Conservation /ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃən/ (n.): Preservation, protection, or restoration of the natural environment and resources.
Example: Water conservation is key to addressing global shortages. -
Transboundary /tranzˈbaʊndəri/ (adj.): Extending or existing across national boundaries.
Example: Transboundary water disputes require international solutions. -
Pollution /pəˈluːʃən/ (n.): The presence of harmful substances in the environment.
Example: Industrial pollution contributes significantly to freshwater contamination. -
Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbəl/ (adj.): Capable of being maintained without depleting natural resources.
Example: Sustainable water practices are essential for long-term water availability. -
Irrigation /ˌɪrɪˈɡeɪʃən/ (n.): The artificial application of water to the land to assist in growing crops.
Example: Efficient irrigation systems can reduce water waste in agriculture. -
Harvesting /ˈhɑːvɪstɪŋ/ (n.): The act of collecting water or crops.
Example: Rainwater harvesting is a practical way to conserve water. -
Inaccessible /ˌɪnækˈsɛsɪbəl/ (adj.): Not easily reached or obtained.
Example: A majority of the Earth’s freshwater is inaccessible due to its location in ice caps. -
Urbanization /ˌɜːbənaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (n.): The increasing number of people living in cities.
Example: Urbanization has increased pressure on water resources.
Conclusion
Mastering the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam begins with understanding how to effectively condense information while retaining key ideas from passages. The global water crisis is a common topic that tests your ability to summarize environmental data accurately, which is not only vital for higher scores but also reflects an understanding of one of the world’s most important issues. We encourage you to practice diligently using the format provided above and continue honing your summarizing skills.
For further exploration of environmental topics in the PTE context, check out Climate change and its impact on ecosystems.
