Public health infrastructure plays a crucial role in ensuring urban populations’ well-being, particularly in the modern context of rapid urbanization. In the PTE exam, Summarize Written Text is a common task in the Speaking & Writing section, often dealing with topics relevant to urban development and public health, making it essential for candidates to familiarize themselves with these themes. This article presents a detailed sample question and model answers focusing on Public Health Infrastructure In Cities, alongside an analysis of each answer and some useful vocabulary.
Example Summarize Written Text Question: Public Health Infrastructure in Cities
Public health infrastructure in cities is a vital component as urban areas continue to expand rapidly, leading to growing populations and increased demands on healthcare systems. The ability of a city to provide adequate public health services, including emergency response units, sanitation, vaccination programs, and adequate medical facilities, directly influences the overall health of its residents. Moreover, disparities in infrastructure between wealthy and impoverished areas can exacerbate health inequalities, causing poorer neighborhoods to face higher rates of diseases and limited access to care. In recent years, many cities have started to adopt innovative approaches to tackle these challenges, such as integrating renewable energy sources into healthcare designs and using urban planning policies that prioritize green spaces and healthy living environments.
Summarize the text in one sentence.
Sample Responses and Analysis
Band Score 90:
A city’s public health infrastructure, including emergency services, sanitation, and medical facilities, directly impacts both overall resident health and health inequality, as challenges such as rapid urban growth and wealth disparity require innovative approaches like renewable energy and better urban planning to address them.
- Content: This response captures all critical elements of the passage, linking public health infrastructure to both resident well-being and social inequality while mentioning innovative solutions like renewable energy.
- Form: The response maintains the correct form with under 75 words.
- Grammar: The sentence structure is complex yet grammatically accurate.
- Vocabulary: The vocabulary is appropriate for academic writing, using terms such as “health inequality” and “innovative approaches.”
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band Score 79:
Rapid urban growth increases the need for enhanced public health infrastructure, as wealth disparities lead to unequal access to healthcare, and cities adopt renewable energy and better urban planning to address these issues.
- Content: The major points are covered, but there is a slight lack of detail regarding specific elements like “sanitation” or “emergency services.”
- Form: The sentence is within the word limit with a clear main idea.
- Grammar: The sentence is grammatically correct with well-coordinated clauses.
- Vocabulary: The response uses some advanced words but does not include finer details like “health inequalities.”
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band Score 65:
Growing cities need more public health services, and poor areas suffer more from health problems, so cities are using renewable energy and better planning to fix it.
- Content: This response captures the basic idea but is somewhat vague and lacks depth, particularly in the explanation of solutions and inequality issues.
- Form: The sentence is simple and within the word count limit.
- Grammar: The sentence is grammatically simple, with no major errors, but it could benefit from more complex structures.
- Vocabulary: The vocabulary is appropriate but not very advanced (“growing cities” instead of “urban growth”; “health problems” instead of “inequalities”).
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Vocabulary for Summarize Written Text: Public Health Infrastructure in Cities
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Infrastructure /ɪnˈfrəstrʌkʧər/ (n): The underlying framework of structures and facilities needed for the operation of a society.
- Example: Cities need sufficient infrastructure to support their growing populations.
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Sanitation /ˌsænɪˈteɪʃən/ (n): Systems related to keeping places clean and free from disease-causing bacteria.
- Example: Poor sanitation is often linked to health problems in densely populated areas.
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Disparity /dɪˈspærɪti/ (n): A noticeable and unfair difference in conditions between groups.
- Example: Disparities in access to healthcare are common between rural and urban areas.
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Vaccination /ˌvæksɪˈneɪʃən/ (n): The act of giving vaccines to prevent disease.
- Example: Vaccination programs are crucial in controlling infectious diseases.
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Emergency Response /ɪˈmɜrʤənsi rɪˈspɑns/ (n): Quick actions taken to address urgent health and safety situations like accidents or natural disasters.
- Example: Efficient emergency response is critical in reducing fatalities during natural disasters.
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Innovative /ˈɪnəveɪtɪv/ (adj): Featuring new methods or ideas.
- Example: Innovative approaches like renewable energy integration are helping cities manage healthcare needs.
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Inequality /ˌɪnɪˈkwɑlɪti/ (n): The state of being unequal, particularly in access to resources and opportunities.
- Example: Wealth inequality can lead to significant differences in health outcomes among city residents.
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Urbanization /ˌɜːrbəˈneɪʃn/ (n): The increasing population shift from rural to urban areas.
- Example: Urbanization has put significant pressure on public health resources.
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Renewable Energy /rɪˈnuəbl ˈɛnərʤi/ (n): Energy sources that are not depleted when used, such as solar or wind power.
- Example: Cities are integrating renewable energy into healthcare infrastructure to cut costs and reduce emissions.
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Access to Care /ˈækses tu: keəʳ/ (n): The ability to obtain necessary medical services.
- Example: Increasing access to care is essential for reducing health disparities in rapidly growing urban areas.
Conclusion
Summarizing complex texts under timed conditions is a critical skill, especially in the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam. By focusing on high-priority topics such as Public Health Infrastructure in Cities, test-takers can hone their ability to condense difficult subject matter into concise, accurate statements—an invaluable skill in real-life and exams alike. To delve deeper into related themes on urbanization, you can explore this insightful article on Urbanization and its social challenges.
Practicing with relevant content like this not only prepares you for PTE but also bridges your understanding of issues shaping modern cities—ranging from healthcare to environmental concerns, as discussed in Renewable energy policies in urban planning. Be sure to revisit these concepts, as they’re likely to recur in both the PTE and everyday discussions about city development. Happy practicing!
