In the PTE (Pearson Test of English) Examination, the Summarize Written Text task in the Speaking & Writing section is one of the most significant challenges. One trending and frequently discussed topic in recent years is nuclear energy policies and their relationship with public opinion. This article will provide detailed samples of Summarize Written Text exercises on nuclear energy, offering a great chance to practice for your upcoming PTE examination.
Overview: Nuclear Energy Policies and Public Opinion
Nuclear energy is a widely debated issue in many countries due to its potential benefits and risks. Governments need to establish policies that balance the advantages of nuclear power (such as reducing carbon emissions) with public opinion, which may include the fear of health risks, environmental concerns, and nuclear accidents.
This topic is an ideal choice for the PTE Summarize Written Text task, as candidates need to succinctly capture complex ideas in a single sentence.
Let’s get started by providing sample questions and model answers to practice Summarize Written Text for your PTE preparation.
Nuclear Energy and Public Opinion – Practice Summarize Written Text Task
Task 1:
The future of nuclear energy is closely tied to public opinion and governmental policies. Some view nuclear power as a low-carbon energy source vital for reducing greenhouse gases, particularly as fossil fuel resources deplete. However, public opinion often remains cautious due to historical nuclear disasters, such as Chernobyl and Fukushima, which have left a lasting emotional and environmental impact. The perceived risks, compounded by concerns over radioactive waste disposal, have led many populations and political leaders to favor renewable energy alternatives like solar and wind power. Therefore, the viability of expanding nuclear energy depends largely on addressing public fears and creating transparent, reliable nuclear policies.
Summarize the text in one sentence.
Model Answers:
Band 90 (Full Marks):
The expansion of nuclear energy depends on both public fears regarding safety and government policies balancing the benefits of low-carbon energy against the risks of radioactive waste and disasters.
Content: Covers all key details: environmental benefits of nuclear energy vs. public concerns over safety, disasters, and waste.
Form: 1 sentence, 37 words. Perfect.
Grammar: Complex sentence structure is flawless, with accurate use of participles and conjunctions.
Vocabulary: Great use of terms like “expansion,” “low-carbon,” and “radioactive” relevant to the topic of nuclear energy.
Spelling: No errors.
Band 79:
The future of nuclear energy is influenced by public concerns about safety and the need for government policies to assure transparency and minimize risks of waste disposal.
Content: All key points mentioned, though more general than Band 90.
Form: 1 sentence, 27 words. Acceptable.
Grammar: Accurate grammar and punctuation. However, sentence complexity could be improved slightly.
Vocabulary: Appropriate for this band. “Minimize risks” is a simple yet effective choice.
Spelling: No errors.
Band 65:
The use of nuclear energy depends on the public’s opinion and if the government makes proper policies for safety and waste management.
Content: Basic understanding but lacks depth. Some key aspects like environmental benefits and historical disasters are missing.
Form: 1 sentence, 24 words. Acceptable structure but could be more concise.
Grammar: Clear but simplified and less complex than higher bands.
Vocabulary: “Proper policies” feels informal—could be improved with higher-level lexical choices.
Spelling: No errors.
Task 2:
While nuclear energy has the potential to significantly lower carbon emissions, public opinion remains a critical barrier in its expansion. Negative perceptions of nuclear power are rooted in high-profile accidents, such as Fukushima and Chernobyl, which caused catastrophic environmental damage and long-term health consequences. Governments must develop sound nuclear policies that address safety concerns and ensure that radioactive waste is managed effectively. Despite these challenges, nuclear energy remains one of the most efficient energy sources and plays a key role in the transition to cleaner, more sustainable power generation.
Summarize the text in one sentence.
Model Answers:
Band 90 (Full Marks):
The expansion of nuclear energy is hindered by public concerns over past accidents and waste management, requiring government policies to address these fears while leveraging its role as an efficient and sustainable energy source.
Content: All major points covered, with excellent reference to both public opinion and governmental responsibility.
Form: 1 sentence, 37 words. Excellent form.
Grammar: Accurate complex sentence structure with no errors in passive voice or conjunctions.
Vocabulary: Advanced vocabulary such as “hindered,” “leveraging,” and “sustainable.”
Spelling: No errors.
Band 79:
Nuclear energy’s future relies on government policies to ensure safety and waste management due to negative public perceptions caused by accidents like Fukushima.
Content: Good coverage, although less detailed regarding the environmental benefits.
Form: 1 sentence, 25 words. Satisfactory form.
Grammar: Flawless sentence but less sophisticated in structure.
Vocabulary: Suitable choice of words but could be more advanced.
Spelling: No errors.
Band 65:
Public fear of nuclear energy, caused by past disasters, plays a big role in its future development and the need for improved government policies.
Content: Misses some major details about efficiency and sustainability.
Form: 1 sentence, 24 words. Adequate but could be more precise.
Grammar: Grammatical structure is correct but lacks complexity.
Vocabulary: “Plays a big role” is too simplistic.
Spelling: No errors.
Key Vocabulary for This Topic
Here are 10 advanced terms from the provided practice tasks that may also come in handy for other topics in the PTE Summarize Written Text task:
- Hinder /ˈhɪndər/: (v) Make it difficult for something to happen – Accidents like Fukushima hindered public support for nuclear energy.
- Viability /ˌvaɪəˈbɪlɪti/: (n) The ability to work successfully – The viability of nuclear power depends on addressing waste management problems.
- Low-carbon /loʊ ˈkɑr.bən/: (adj) Producing less carbon dioxide – Nuclear energy is a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.
- Radioactive waste /ˌraɪdɪoʊˈæktɪv/: (n) Waste material containing radioactive chemical elements like Uranium – Managing radioactive waste is essential for nuclear projects.
- Disposal /dɪˈspoʊzl/: (n) The act of getting rid of something – Radioactive waste disposal is a tricky aspect of nuclear policies.
- Transparent /trænˈspærənt/: (adj) Easy to notice or understand; clear and open – Governments must ensure transparent policies on nuclear safety.
- Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/: (adj) Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level – Nuclear energy could be part of a sustainable energy future.
- Negative perception /ˈnɛɡətɪv pərˈsɛpʃən/: (n) Unfavorable opinion or view – The negative perception of nuclear power persists.
- Greenhouse gases /ˈɡrinˌhɑʊs ɡæsɪz/: (n) Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, like carbon dioxide – Nuclear energy helps reduce greenhouse gases.
- Catastrophic /ˌkætəˈstrɑːfɪk/: (adj) Extremely harmful or destructive – Chernobyl and Fukushima were catastrophic nuclear accidents.
Conclusion
The topic of Nuclear Energy Policies And Public Opinion is both timely and relevant, making it a prime subject for practicing Summarize Written Text tasks in the PTE Exam. In this article, you encountered example tasks and model answers representing various band scores, highlighting key evaluation aspects like content, form, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling. Enhancing your skills in these areas will significantly boost your chance of scoring high in the Summarize Written Text section.
Feel free to leave a comment and share your thoughts or any difficulties you encounter when practicing these tasks. Keep practicing and good luck on your PTE journey!
