The Speaking & Writing section of the PTE Academic test can be one of the most challenging parts of the exam. One of the vital tasks is Summarize Written Text where candidates are required to condense a long text into a single sentence within a 10-minute limit. A recurring theme in this task is Mental Health Awareness In Youth, a crucial topic given its increasing relevance in today’s world.
In this guide, we’ll present multiple Summarize Written Text questions based on mental health awareness in youth alongside sample answers and detailed analyses. These exercises will help readers practice, refine their skills, and prepare for actual PTE exams.
Sample Summarize Written Text Question: Mental Health Awareness in Youth
Below is a sample Summarize Written Text exercise that you would encounter in the PTE exam.
Reading passage:
As the incidence of mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, and stress continues to rise among young people, it has become increasingly important to raise mental health awareness in youth. Schools and communities around the world are implementing programs that aim to help students recognize mental health issues, seek help when needed, and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Experts argue that early intervention, peer support, and open discussions about mental health can significantly improve outcomes for young individuals. By fostering an environment of care, understanding, and support, schools and communities play a crucial role in helping young people lead more balanced and emotionally healthy lives.
Task: Summarize the passage in one sentence in no more than 75 words.
Sample Responses and Analysis
1. Band score: 90
The increasing prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among young people highlights the need for programs in schools and communities to raise awareness and encourage early intervention, peer support, and open discussions about mental health to help create a supportive environment and improve youth well-being.
Content: Excellent. The answer captures all aspects of the original passage, including the rising mental health issues and the solutions proposed (awareness programs, peer support, and open discussions).
Form: Perfect. The sentence lies within the word limit and is concise.
Grammar: Exemplary use of complex sentence structure to discuss cause and effect. Transitions are smooth.
Vocabulary: The answer uses a wide range of vocabulary naturally, such as “prevalence,” “intervention,” and “well-being.”
Spelling: Flawless.
2. Band score: 75
As mental health issues like anxiety and depression increase among young people, schools are implementing awareness programs to promote early intervention and peer support, helping young people improve their emotional health.
Content: Very good. The main ideas are present, but it lacks the mention of “stigma” and “communities.”
Form: Correct. The response is under 75 words and maintains clarity.
Grammar: Strong. The sentence effectively uses conjunctions. Some word choices may slightly limit clarity, such as “helping young people improve their emotional health.”
Vocabulary: Satisfactory, with essential terms present. Could include more advanced synonyms.
Spelling: No errors.
3. Band score: 65
Mental illness is increasing among young people, and awareness programs including peer support and open discussions are being promoted to address these issues.
Content: Fair. The sentence misses some key points, such as “early intervention” and the role of schools and communities.
Form: Adheres to the rules but is overly brief, lacking sufficient detail.
Grammar: Clear and generally correct, though simplistic.
Vocabulary: Basic. The use of words like “increasing” and “address” is somewhat generic.
Spelling: No mistakes.
4. Band score: 50
Schools are raising awareness to help young people who suffer from mental health problems like anxiety and depression.
Content: Limited. Although the concept of mental health awareness is mentioned, the response lacks depth and misses key solutions discussed in the passage (peer support, open discussions).
Form: Very short and does not capture the complexity expected for higher scores.
Grammar: Correct but over-simplified, weakening the overall response.
Vocabulary: Rudimentary, with minimal use of advanced language.
Spelling: Fine, no errors.
Key Vocabulary from the Reading Passage
Below are 10 useful words and phrases found in the sample passage, with their definitions, phonetic transcriptions, and example sentences:
-
Prevalence /ˈprɛvələns/: The condition of being widespread or commonly occurring.
Example: The prevalence of mental health issues among youth is rising globally. -
Intervention /ˌɪntərˈvɛnʃən/: The act of intervening to improve a situation.
Example: Early intervention in mental health issues can prevent further complications. -
Stigma /ˈstɪɡmə/: A mark of disgrace associated with a particular condition or behavior.
Example: Mental health programs aim to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness. -
Peer support /pɪər səˈpɔːt/: Assistance that peers provide to one another, often due to shared experiences.
Example: Peer support is crucial in helping students cope with emotional stress. -
Anxiety /æŋˈzaɪɪti/: A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event.
Example: Many young people experience anxiety due to academic pressures. -
Depression /dɪˈprɛʃən/: A mental health disorder characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection.
Example: Depression among youth has spiked due to social and familial pressures. -
Environment /ɪnˈvaɪrənmənt/: The surroundings or conditions in which a person operates.
Example: A supportive school environment can greatly benefit students’ mental health. -
Balanced /ˈbælənst/: Providing a harmonious balance of different elements.
Example: A balanced lifestyle that includes rest and social interaction is vital for mental health. -
Implementing /ˈɪmplɪmɛntɪŋ/: Putting a decision, plan, agreement, etc., into effect.
Example: Many schools are implementing mental health awareness sessions. -
Outcomes /ˈaʊtkʌmz/: The possible results or consequences of an action or situation.
Example: Awareness programs can significantly improve mental health outcomes for youth.
Conclusion
Summarizing written text is a challenging skill in the PTE exam, requiring candidates to identify and summarize key points concisely. The topic of mental health awareness in youth is frequently encountered, making it essential to understand and practice thoroughly. By utilizing the sample questions and responses above, candidates can significantly improve their performance.
Keep practicing these examples, apply the vocabulary listed, and leave a comment if you have any further questions or need additional resources!
