PTE Summarize Written Text: Green Bonds and Sustainable Investment

Sustainable investment and environmentally friendly financial products are becoming increasingly important in today’s global economy. In the PTE exam, topics like “Green Bonds And Sustainable Investment” can often appear in the Summarize Written Text section, where candidates need to summarize a passage into a single sentence. This task reflects the rising trend of eco-friendly finance, making it a crucial skill to develop for learners. This article will guide you through example test prompts related to green bonds and sustainable investment, alongside detailed analysis according to PTE scoring criteria.

Example Prompts for “Green Bonds and Sustainable Investment”

Sample Task 1

Green bonds are a unique tool for financing projects that contribute positively to the environment, such as renewable energy, clean transportation, or green buildings. These bonds provide investors with an opportunity to support sustainable projects while earning financial returns. Governments and corporations alike are diving into green bond markets to attract environmentally-conscious investors. Unlike traditional bonds, the funds raised through green bonds are exclusively dedicated to environmental initiatives, demonstrating the increasing emphasis on responsible business practices and aligning finance with global sustainability goals.

Summarize the text in one sentence. You have 10 minutes to finish this task.

Sample Answers

Band Score 90

Green bonds are financial instruments used to fund environmental projects, providing investors a means to support sustainability while aligning with global eco-friendly initiatives.

Analysis:

• Content: Covers the key ideas of green bonds being used for environmental projects and attracting investors.
• Form: One sentence following the word limit and the proper structure.
• Grammar: Grammatically accurate.
• Vocabulary: Utilizes strong academic vocabulary like “instruments,” “fund,” and “initiatives.”
• Spelling: No errors present.

Band Score 79

Green bonds are used to finance sustainable projects and provide a way for investors to support environmentally friendly practices.

Analysis:

• Content: Adequate coverage of key ideas but slightly less specific about the global focus.
• Form: Follows format and length properly.
• Grammar: Clear and grammatically correct.
• Vocabulary: Appropriate, but somewhat basic compared to the band 90 response.
• Spelling: No spelling mistakes.

Band Score 65

Green bonds help finance sustainable projects and let investors earn money while helping the environment.

Analysis:

• Content: Summarizes the main idea but lacks specific details (e.g., renewable energy, global alignment).
• Form: Satisfactory form and structure.
• Grammar: Minor errors, such as the colloquial expression “let investors earn money.”
• Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary, lacking academic sophistication.
• Spelling: Correct spelling, no errors.

Sample Task 2

The rising demand for sustainable investment options has pushed the development of green bonds, which fund a multitude of environmental projects worldwide. Not only do these bonds offer financial returns to investors, but they also promote eco-friendly corporate strategies, contributing significantly to carbon reduction goals and a shift towards renewable energy. In 2021, over $500 billion in green bonds were issued, marking a record high and exemplifying the importance of combining financial growth with environmental responsibility as part of corporate governance strategies.

Summarize the text in one sentence. You have 10 minutes to complete this task.

Sample Answers

Band Score 90

The increasing demand for sustainable investment has driven the growth of green bonds that fund environmental projects, support corporate eco-friendly strategies, and align businesses with carbon reduction and renewable energy goals.

Analysis:

• Content: Comprehensive summary of all main points, touching on corporate strategies, carbon reduction, and renewable energy.
• Form: Follows the one-sentence structure, concise but detailed.
• Grammar: Flawless use of complex structures.
• Vocabulary: High-level words such as “governance,” “align,” and “strategies.”
• Spelling: No issues.

Band Score 79

Green bonds finance environmental projects and help companies adopt sustainable strategies, with increasing issuance showing their importance in promoting corporate responsibility.

Analysis:

• Content: Covers most key aspects, although less detail is provided about carbon reduction and renewable energy.
• Form: Form is correct and within the word limit.
• Grammar: Clear and accurate grammar.
• Vocabulary: Good vocabulary, but somewhat less academic compared to a higher band response.
• Spelling: No errors in spelling.

Band Score 65

Green bonds are increasingly used to finance environmental projects and contribute to sustainability.

Analysis:

• Content: Very limited coverage of essential ideas; misses details on the financial and corporate governance aspects.
• Form: Keeps the correct structure but oversimplifies the content.
• Grammar: Simple grammatical structures are used correctly.
• Vocabulary: Basic and lacks the complexity expected for higher scores.
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Vocabulary and Grammar Guide

Here are some of the advanced words and their meanings, taken from the texts:

Key Vocabulary

1. Bond (/bɒnd/) – A type of financial instrument that represents a loan made by an investor.

   • Example: Green bonds fund projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

2. Sustainable (/səˈsteɪnəbl/) – Capable of being maintained over the long term without harming the environment.

   • Example: Sustainable energy projects are often financed by green bonds.

3. Initiative (/ɪˈnɪʃiətɪv/) – A project or strategy intended to solve a problem or improve a situation.

   • Example: Government initiatives on renewable energy attract sustainable investments.

4. Corporate governance (/ˈkɔːpərət ˈɡʌvənəns/) – The system by which a company is directed and controlled.

   • Example: Green bonds encourage better corporate governance in sustainability.

5. Carbon reduction (/ˈkɑːrbən riˈdʌkʃən/) – Cutting down on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions produced.

   • Example: Green bonds aim to finance carbon reduction initiatives globally.

6. Renewable energy (/rɪˈnjuːəbl ˈɛnədʒi/) – Energy from natural sources that are constantly replenished, like wind and solar power.

   • Example: Renewable energy sectors are significant beneficiaries of green bonds.

7. Issuance (/ˈɪʃuːəns/) – The process of creating and distributing securities, like green bonds.

   • Example: Green bond issuance hit a record high in 2021.

8. Eco-friendly (/ˈiːkoʊ ˈfrɛndli/) – Not harmful to the environment.

   • Example: Green bonds are part of the eco-friendly shift in global finance.

9. Investor (/ɪnˈvɛstər/) – A person or organization that allocates capital with the expectation of a future financial return.

   • Example: Investors see green bonds as a way to earn profits while supporting sustainability.

10. Financial return (/faɪˈnænʃəl rɪˈtɜːrn/) – The profit from an investment.

    • Example: Green bonds provide financial returns while funding environmentally responsible projects.

Conclusion

Summarize Written Text tasks like those focusing on green bonds and sustainable investment are increasingly vital in the PTE exam. By practicing with diverse examples and understanding the scoring criteria, you can improve your performance. Green bonds not only represent a financial innovation but also align with global sustainability goals, a topic that becomes more relevant each day. Practice these sample tasks, analyze your performance, and don’t hesitate to share your comments or questions below for further discussion!