The PTE Academic exam has a unique section called Summarize Written Text under the Speaking & Writing section. In this task, test-takers are asked to read a passage and summarize it in one sentence, no longer than 75 words. One of the commonly tested topics, especially in the Summarize Written Text section, is the environmental issue of ocean acidification and its effects on various industries, including the fishing industry. In this article, we will explore a sample text-based on the topic “How Ocean Acidification Affects The Fishing Industry” and guide you on how to craft high-scoring summaries.
How the Summarize Written Text Task Works
The PTE Summarize Written Text task evaluates your ability to condense information in the form of a summary, assessing both your writing and grammatical proficiency. You’ll be required to read a passage between 150 to 400 words and condense it into a one-sentence summary encompassing the core ideas without omitting significant information.
In this exercise, we’ll focus on a topic related to how ocean acidification impacts the fishing industry, which is often covered in real exam questions.
Sample Summarize Written Text Question: How Ocean Acidification Affects the Fishing Industry
Instructions: Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence, using correct grammar and punctuation. Your response must be between 5 and 75 words.
Passage:
Ocean acidification is the ongoing decrease in the pH levels of the Earth’s oceans due to the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide. This process has resulted in detrimental effects on marine life, particularly species that form shells or skeletons from calcium carbonate, such as mollusks and crustaceans. As these species struggle to maintain their structural integrity, the fishing industry is facing severe challenges, including reduced catch yields and economic strain on communities dependent on fishing. Furthermore, species higher up the food chain, including fish species integral to human diets, could face population declines, further pressuring both food security and economic stability in coastal economies. Scientists emphasize the need for urgent climate action to mitigate these cascading effects and safeguard the future of marine-dependent industries, particularly fishing.
Remember: Summarize this passage in one concise sentence.
Model Answers for Different Band Scores
Band Score 90 – Ideal Summarized Sentence:
Ocean acidification, caused by the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide, is negatively impacting marine species, particularly shellfish and fish, leading to reduced catch yields and threatening food security and economic stability in fishing communities, calling for urgent climate action.
- Content: 100% of key content is included, covering the causes, effects on marine life, the fishing industry, and the need for action.
- Form: The sentence respects the 5-75 word limit.
- Grammar: No errors, clear complex structure.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate, academic-level terms such as “absorption,” “carbon dioxide,” “food security.”
- Spelling: Correct spelling throughout.
Band Score 75 – Very Good Summarized Sentence:
Due to increased ocean acidification, mainly caused by carbon dioxide absorption, shellfish and fishing catches are declining, putting food and economic security at risk.
- Content: Captures the core information but omits the part about mitigation and impact on species higher up the food chain.
- Form: The sentence is within the word limit.
- Grammar: No significant errors, but sentence structure is simpler.
- Vocabulary: Good but slightly less sophisticated than necessary for top scores.
- Spelling: Correct.
Band Score 65 – Good Summarized Sentence:
Ocean acidification is harming shellfish and decreasing fish catches, causing problems for the fishing industry and coastal communities.
- Content: Covers the basic impact but misses some important details like causes, food security, and urgency for climate action.
- Form: Within the correct word limit.
- Grammar: Minor errors (e.g., the sentence could be more complex).
- Vocabulary: Limited choice of words.
- Spelling: Correct.
Band Score 50 – Satisfactory Summarized Sentence:
Ocean acidification reduces fish and shellfish, affecting communities that depend on fishing.
- Content: Very basic and oversimplifies the content, missing key points such as causes.
- Form: Under the word limit, lacking sufficient detail.
- Grammar: No significant grammar issues, but overly simplistic.
- Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary, lacks depth.
- Spelling: Correct.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
While summarizing texts about ocean acidification and its effects on the fishing industry, you might encounter terms that are both complex and relevant. Below are some key terms used in the passage, along with definitions, phonetics, and usage examples:
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Acidification /əˌsɪdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/: The process of becoming more acidic.
- Example: Ocean acidification is a growing problem for the fishing industry.
-
Carbon Dioxide /ˌkɑːrbən daɪˈɒksaɪd/: A colorless gas produced by burning carbon and organic compounds.
- Example: The absorption of atmospheric carbon dioxide leads to ocean acidification.
-
Mollusk /ˈmɒləsk/: A soft-bodied invertebrate, often with a hard shell.
- Example: The fishing industry suffers as mollusks find it harder to build shells in acidic waters.
-
Calcium Carbonate /ˌkælsiəm ˈkɑːrbəˌneɪt/: A chemical compound often found in marine organisms’ shells.
- Example: Marine creatures that rely on calcium carbonate are at risk due to accelerating ocean acidification.
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Ecosystem /ˈiːkəʊˌsɪstəm/: A biological community interacting with its environment.
- Example: Ocean acidification disrupts the entire marine ecosystem, posing risks to fisheries.
-
Food Security /fuːd sɪˈkjʊərɪti/: Access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
- Example: Declines in fish populations due to acidification threaten global food security.
-
Marine /məˈriːn/: Relating to the sea or ocean.
- Example: Many marine species are struggling to survive the effects of ocean acidification.
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Crustacean /krʌˈsteɪʃən/: A group of aquatic animals with exoskeletons, such as crabs and lobsters.
- Example: Crustaceans are especially vulnerable to the changing pH levels in the ocean.
-
Mitigation /mɪtɪˈgeɪʃən/: The action of reducing the severity of something.
- Example: Climate action is essential for the mitigation of ocean acidification’s impact on fishing.
-
Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/: Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
- Example: Fishing industries must adopt sustainable practices to cope with the challenges of acidification.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mastering Summarize Written Text in the PTE exam requires the ability to synthesize large amounts of information into a clear and grammatically correct one-sentence summary. Understanding topics like how ocean acidification affects the fishing industry is critical, as environmental themes frequently appear in the exam. Practice consistently, focus on clarity, and aim for both conciseness and completeness in your answers.
For more practice questions and tips on how to improve your PTE score, feel free to leave a comment below!
