PTE Summarize Written Text Practice: Nuclear Energy and Environmental Concerns

The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE exam assesses your ability to condense complex information into a clear and concise summary. One of the common topics that appear in the test is related to Nuclear Energy And Environmental Concerns, making this a valuable area to practice. In this article, we will explore this key topic by providing practice tasks that not only resemble real exam questions but also help you improve your skills in summarizing main ideas.

Example Task 1: Nuclear Energy and Its Impact on the Environment

Task Prompt:
Summarize the passage below into one sentence. Your response should be between 5 to 75 words.

Passage:
Nuclear energy has been hailed by some as a solution to numerous environmental issues, mainly because it produces fewer greenhouse gases compared to traditional fossil fuels. However, concerns surrounding radioactive waste, potential nuclear accidents, and the long-term impact of radiation on ecosystems have raised questions about its sustainability. Proponents argue that with advances in technology, nuclear energy can be safer and an essential part of carbon-neutral goals, but critics maintain that the risks may outweigh the benefits.

Sample Responses:

• **High Band Answer (79-90):**
  While nuclear energy produces fewer greenhouse gases, concerns over radioactive waste and nuclear accidents persist, although advances in technology could potentially mitigate these risks and contribute to carbon-neutral objectives.*

  • Content: Excellent coverage of the main points, balancing benefits and risks.
  • Form: Perfect adherence to word count and grammatical structure.
  • Grammar: Grammatically perfect.
  • Vocabulary: Advanced vocabulary such as “mitigate” and “carbon-neutral objectives”.
  • Spelling: No errors.

• **Medium Band Answer (65-78):**
  Nuclear energy reduces greenhouse gases, but there are concerns about waste, accidents, and radiation effects on the environment.*

  • Content: Good coverage, but could expand on technological advances.
  • Form: Meets the word count limit but less complex than a higher band answer.
  • Grammar: Grammatically sound, though less sophisticated.
  • Vocabulary: Clear but lacks variety.
  • Spelling: No errors.

• **Low Band Answer (50-64):**
  Nuclear energy is greener, but it can be dangerous due to waste and accidents.*

  • Content: Limited coverage of the topic, missing key details such as technological advances or carbon-neutral goals.
  • Form: Simplistic sentence structure.
  • Grammar: Basic, with errors in “is greener” instead of “produces fewer greenhouse gases.”
  • Vocabulary: Extremely basic and repetitive.
  • Spelling: No errors.

Example Task 2: The Future of Nuclear Power in a Carbon-Neutral World

Task Prompt:
Summarize the following text in one sentence. Your answer should be between 5 and 75 words.

Passage:
As countries strive to meet carbon-neutral targets by mid-century, many governments see nuclear power as an indispensable part of their clean energy repertoire. Although technologies like wind and solar are becoming more affordable and widespread, they suffer from intermittency issues. Nuclear power, on the other hand, ensures continuous energy generation. However, the perceived dangers of nuclear energy, such as meltdowns and the long-term management of radioactive waste, complicate its widespread adoption.

Sample Responses:

• **High Band Answer (79-90):**
  As governments aim for carbon neutrality, nuclear power, with its continuous energy generation, is viewed as essential despite concerns regarding meltdowns and radioactive waste, which hinder its broader acceptance.*

  • Content: Comprehensive and balanced, covering both the benefits and challenges of nuclear power.
  • Form: Correct word count and sentence structure.
  • Grammar: Excellent grammatical control.
  • Vocabulary: Advanced terminology such as “carbon neutrality” and “intermittency”.
  • Spelling: Flawless.

• **Medium Band Answer (65-78):**
  Although nuclear power ensures continuous energy, concerns about meltdowns and waste challenge its use as a clean energy source for carbon neutrality.*

  • Content: Covers the key points but without detailed nuance.
  • Form: Suitable word count, but less sophisticated structure.
  • Grammar: Correct but lacks complexity.
  • Vocabulary: Adequate but could be more varied.
  • Spelling: No mistakes.

• **Low Band Answer (50-64):**
  Nuclear energy can help with carbon neutrality but is risky due to meltdowns and waste.*

  • Content: Misses some important nuances, such as targeting the necessity of continuous energy and the limitations of other sources.
  • Form: Simplistic structure.
  • Grammar: Simple and slightly awkward.
  • Vocabulary: Basic, with limited variety.
  • Spelling: No errors.

For more insights on how nuclear energy and renewable energy can coexist, check out our detailed analysis on Nuclear power and renewable energy coexistence.

Vocabulary and Grammar for Summarize Written Text: Nuclear Energy

Below are 10 advanced vocabulary words along with pronunciation and meanings that frequently appear in discussions about nuclear energy and environmental concerns:

1. Intermittency /ˌɪntəˈmɪtənsi/:
   (n) The irregular and unpredictable availability of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
   E.g. Solar energy systems often face challenges due to intermittency.

2. Mitigate /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/:
   (v) To reduce the severity or seriousness of something.
   E.g. Advances in technology can mitigate the risks associated with nuclear power.

3. Meltdown /ˈmɛltdaʊn/:
   (n) A severe nuclear reactor accident that results in the melting of the reactor core.
   E.g. The Chernobyl disaster was a horrific nuclear meltdown.

4. Radioactive waste /ˌreɪdioʊˈæktɪv weɪst/:
   (n) Hazardous waste emitting radiation that is a byproduct from nuclear reactors.
   E.g. Disposing of radioactive waste is a significant challenge for nuclear power plants.

5. Carbon neutrality /ˈkɑːrbən nuːˈtrælɪti/:
   (n) Achieving a balance between emitting carbon and absorbing carbon from the atmosphere.
   E.g. Governments worldwide strive to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

6. Continuous generation /kənˈtɪnjuəs ˌdʒɛnəˈreɪʃən/:
   (n) Energy production that occurs without interruption.
   E.g. Nuclear power offers continuous generation, unlike intermittent sources like wind.

7. Proponents /prəˈpoʊnənts/:
   (n) People who advocate for or support a particular cause or idea.
   E.g. Proponents of nuclear energy argue it is essential for a carbon-free future.

8. Sustainability /səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/:
   (n) The ability to maintain ecological and energy balance over the long term.
   E.g. Critics argue that nuclear energy raises questions about long-term sustainability.

9. Perceived risks /pərˈsiːvd rɪsks/:
   (n) Risks that are believed or thought to exist, though they might not be fully proven.
   E.g. The perceived risks of nuclear energy influence public opinion.

10. Public opinion /ˈpʌblɪk əˈpɪn.jən/:
    (n) The collective attitude or beliefs held by the general population.
    E.g. Public perceptions of nuclear power play a significant role in shaping energy policies.

Conclusion

Summarizing written texts on Nuclear Energy and Environmental Concerns is a crucial skill for the PTE exam. These practice tasks combine real exam scenarios with key vocabulary and grammar essential to attaining a high score. Regular practice will enhance your familiarity with this topic and improve your performance during the actual test.

For additional practice and further reading, explore related topics like Nuclear energy’s future and safety.