Summarize Written Text in PTE: Mental Health Support in the Digital Age

The Summarize Written Text task is a crucial part of the Speaking & Writing section in the PTE Academic exam. In this task, test-takers are presented with a passage between 150 to 300 words and are required to summarize it in a single sentence. The sentence must be between 5 and 75 words. This task assesses your ability to extract the key points from a text and demonstrate how effectively you can form a concise summary in grammatically correct sentences.

One of the increasingly common topics in recent years is Mental Health Support in the Digital Age, given the growing use of digital platforms for supporting mental well-being. This article will provide practice exercises, sample responses, and detailed explanations to help you prepare for the exam.

Example 1: Mental Health Support in the Digital Age

Prompt:

With the rise of social media, online therapy platforms, and telemedicine consultations, mental health support has increasingly moved online. These digital services make it possible for individuals in remote and underserved locations to access help which was previously unavailable to them. However, while these online tools offer convenience, there are concerns over the lack of face-to-face interactions that are generally considered essential for effective treatment. In particular, young people are most reliant on digital platforms for mental health assistance, but this can also intensify issues such as alienation, anxiety, and compulsive behavior due to over-exposure to social media.

Summarize the text in one sentence.

Sample Answer for Different PTE Band Scores:

Band 8+ Response:

Digital platforms have revolutionized mental health support by providing accessible services, but their lack of face-to-face interaction and over-reliance, especially among young people, raises concerns about their psychological impact.

• Content: Fully captures the two main ideas: the rise of digital mental health services and the potential negative effects.
• Form: The sentence is within the word limit and includes the necessary information.
• Grammar: Grammatically correct with no errors.
• Vocabulary: Advanced vocabulary (“revolutionized,” “accessible services,” “over-reliance”).
• Spelling: No spelling errors identified.

Band 7 Response:

Online mental health support is growing due to digital tools, but relying on them too much, especially among young people, can worsen mental health challenges.

• Content: Accurately presents the key points but lacks some detail in terms of “lack of interaction.”
• Form: Correct word length and original text captured.
• Grammar: Correct but simpler than Band 8+.
• Vocabulary: Sufficient, but not as varied as a higher-scoring answer.
• Spelling: No issues.

Band 6 Response:

Digital mental health support is easy to access, but it may cause problems for young people.

• Content: Misses the underlying complexity, particularly around the “lack of interaction.”
• Form: Brief but within the word limit.
• Grammar: Grammatical correctness, but overly simple.
• Vocabulary: Basic, lacking nuance (“may cause problems”).
• Spelling: Correct spelling.

Example 2: Privacy Concerns in Online Mental Health Support

Prompt:

As the demand for online mental health care increases, so do concerns about privacy and data security, especially as many platforms collect sensitive personal information. Safeguards such as encryption and data anonymization are used to enhance security, but there are fears of data breaches which could expose users’ mental health information. This has raised important debates about the balance between accessibility and privacy in the rapidly expanding field of online mental health support.

Summarize the text in one sentence.

Sample Answer for Different PTE Band Scores:

Band 8+ Response:

While online mental health platforms offer accessible care, they raise significant concerns about privacy due to the potential risks of data breaches despite existing security measures like encryption and anonymization.

Band 7 Response:

Online mental health support is convenient, but there are concerns about data security and the risk of privacy breaches.

Band 6 Response:

Mental health platforms online provide help but also have privacy risks.

Terms and Vocabulary Related to Mental Health Support

Here are 10 useful vocabulary terms found within the topics covered. Knowing these words and applying them effectively will boost your confidence in PTE.

1. Encryption (/ɪnˈkrɪp.ʃən/): The process of transforming data into a code to prevent unauthorized access.

   • Example: The platform uses encryption to secure discussions between users and therapists.

2. Anonymization (/əˈnɒn.ɪ.maɪˌzeɪ.ʃən/): The act of stripping personal information from data to maintain privacy.

   • Example: Anonymization was applied to ensure patients’ identities were not linked to their treatments.

3. Telemedicine (/ˌtel.iˈmed.ɪ.sɪn/): The practice of using telecommunications to provide healthcare remotely.

   • Example: Many patients rely on telemedicine for regular mental health consultations.

4. Underserved (/ˌʌndəˈsɜːvd/): Refers to populations with insufficient access to medical care or resources.

   • Example: Digital platforms aim to support underserved communities by providing remote access to mental health professionals.

5. Alienation (/ˌeɪ.li.əˈneɪ.ʃən/): The feeling of being isolated or estranged from others.

   • Example: The overuse of social media can aggravate feelings of alienation among young people.

6. Over-reliance (/ˌəʊ.vər.rɪˈlaɪ.əns/): Depending too much on something or someone, often in a problematic way.

   • Example: There is a growing concern over young people’s over-reliance on digital mental health tools.

7. Breach (/briːtʃ/): A violation of law or conduct; in this context, it refers to unauthorized access to private information.

   • Example: Data breaches in mental health apps could expose sensitive patient information.

8. Safeguards (/ˈseɪf.gɑːrdz/): Procedures or actions taken to prevent harm or loss.

   • Example: Safeguards are necessary to protect patient data in online therapy platforms.

9. Consultation (/ˌkɒn.sʌlˈteɪ.ʃən/): The act of seeking advice or guidance from a professional, such as a doctor or therapist.

   • Example: Virtual consultations allow users to connect with mental health experts from their homes.

10. Accessible (/əkˈsɛs.ɪ.bəl/): Capable of being reached or used, especially by people with specific needs.

    • Example: Online therapy makes mental health care more accessible to those in remote areas.

Conclusion

In the digital age, mental health support has seen substantial growth with the rise of online platforms and tools, creating both opportunities and challenges. For PTE test-takers, understanding how to summarize written text on such relevant topics is becoming more important, given the global interest in mental health services, privacy concerns, and accessibility. Continue practicing with these exercises, and explore more on the evolving roles of digital mental health strategies here.

By practicing this format and developing a strong foundation in summarizing diverse subject matter, candidates improve their chances of performing well in the Summarize Written Text section.