Summarize Written Text is one of the essential tasks in the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE exam. It requires test-takers to condense a short text into a one-sentence summary without losing the core message. When it comes to PTE exam topics, public health issues, especially in urban areas, are frequently tested.
In this article, we’ll be offering sample Summarize Written Text practice questions on “Public Health Issues In Cities,” along with model answers to help you prepare optimally for your PTE exam. These real-life inspired questions reflect various challenges in city public health systems, from pollution to healthcare infrastructure.
PTE Summarize Written Text Practice on “Public Health Issues in Cities”
Practice Question 1: Air Pollution in Urban Areas
Prompt:
Air pollution is a substantial public health issue in many cities around the world, with major contributing factors including vehicle emissions, industrial pollution, and construction dust. Various health problems are associated with long-term exposure to poor air quality, such as respiratory diseases and cardiovascular conditions. Although many cities have implemented measures such as restrictions on high-emission vehicles and transitioning to greener technologies, the problem persists, especially in rapidly urbanizing regions.
Prompt Instructions: You will have 10 minutes to read a passage and summarize it in one sentence. Your response should capture the main ideas in one comprehensive yet concise sentence.
Model Responses:
Band 90:
Long-term exposure to air pollution in cities, caused by factors such as vehicle emissions and industrial activities, results in serious health problems like respiratory diseases, despite the implementation of measures aimed at reducing pollution.
- Content: Correctly summarizes the key issues, including pollution sources and health outcomes.
- Form: Perfect one-sentence structure within the word limit.
- Grammar: Flawless sentence construction and correct punctuation.
- Vocabulary: Well-chosen academic language (e.g., “long-term exposure,” “health outcomes”).
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Air pollution in urban areas causes serious health risks
Band 75:
Air pollution caused by vehicles and industries is a significant health problem in cities that contributes to diseases like respiratory issues, even though some solutions have been implemented.
- Content: Covers the main points but lacks specific details (e.g., missing “cardiovascular” and “greener technologies”).
- Form: One sentence within the limit.
- Grammar: Minor simplifications but no major issues.
- Vocabulary: Adequate language but somewhat simplistic.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band 60:
Air pollution is a serious problem in cities, and it causes health problems like lung diseases although cities are trying to reduce it.
- Content: Misses several key details, like sources of pollution, specific health conditions.
- Form: One sentence but fairly basic.
- Grammar: Simple grammatical structures, errors in word use (“reduce it” is slightly unclear).
- Vocabulary: Simple; lacks precision.
- Spelling: Correct.
Practice Question 2: Lack of Accessible Mental Health Services
Prompt:
In cities, the demand for mental health services has grown significantly, yet the accessibility of these services remains limited. Overcrowding, long waiting times, and a lack of trained professionals have compounded the issue, leaving many residents without adequate support. Urban planning often overlooks mental health infrastructure, exacerbating challenges for those most in need. While some cities have made improvements by integrating mental health services within public healthcare, significant gaps remain.
Prompt Instructions: Summarize the given text in one sentence.
Model Responses:
Band 90:
Despite growing demand, the accessibility of mental health services in cities remains insufficient due to a shortfall in infrastructure, overcrowding, and limited personnel, although some improvements have been made to integrate these services within public healthcare.
Mental health services in urban areas limited and inaccessible
Band 75:
Mental health services in cities face significant challenges such as overcrowding, long waiting times, and lack of professionals, though efforts have been made to address the issue.
Band 60:
Many cities have poor mental health services, with overcrowding and small numbers of professionals being some of the problems.
Practice Question 3: Public Health Infrastructure in Cities
Prompt:
Public health infrastructure in cities plays a critical role in ensuring access to essential services, yet aging systems, financial constraints, and inefficient governance hinder its effectiveness. Cities with outdated infrastructure face difficulties in coping with public health crises, such as pandemics, widespread diseases, and environmental issues. Regular investment in both physical structures and digital health systems is needed to advance urban public healthcare.
Prompt Instructions: Summarize the given text in one sentence.
Model Responses:
Band 90:
Aging public health infrastructure combined with financial limitations renders it difficult for cities to manage public health crises, necessitating investments in both physical infrastructure and digital health systems for future resilience.
City public health infrastructure outdated and ineffective
Band 75:
Cities with outdated public health systems struggle to handle health crises and need investment in modern healthcare infrastructure.
Band 60:
Public health systems in cities are old and need money to work better.
Vocabulary and Grammar Review
Below are 10 advanced words from the practice passages, complete with pronunciation (IPA), definitions, and examples of use:
-
Pollution /pəˈluːʃən/: The presence of harmful substances in the environment.
Example: Air pollution in cities is a major health threat due to vehicle emissions. -
Respiratory /ˈrɛspərətɔˌri/: Related to breathing or the lungs.
Example: Long-term pollution exposure can cause respiratory issues. -
Cardiovascular /ˌkɑːrdiəʊˈvæsgjʊlər/: Pertaining to the heart and blood vessels.
Example: People exposed to high pollution levels often develop cardiovascular diseases. -
Infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/: The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society.
Example: Public health infrastructure in cities usually requires updates to handle emergencies. -
Shortfall /ˈʃɔːrtfɔːl/: A situation where the necessary resources are insufficient.
Example: The hospital’s shortfall in staff exacerbated waiting times. -
Overcrowding /ˌoʊvərˈkraʊdɪŋ/: Excessive crowding, where a space has too many people.
Example: Overcrowding in urban clinics is a significant barrier to accessing healthcare. -
Pandemics /pænˈdɛmɪks/: Widespread outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Example: Cities with poor infrastructure struggled during the recent pandemics. -
Governance /ˈgʌvərnəns/: The action or manner of governing a city, organization, etc.
Example: Inefficient governance has led to delays in healthcare reforms. -
Exacerbating /ɪɡˈzæsərbeɪtɪŋ/: Making a problem worse.
Example: Poor infrastructure is exacerbating the city’s public health challenges. -
Resilience /rɪˈzɪlɪəns/: The ability to recover from difficulties.
Example: Urban healthcare resilience depends on modern infrastructure and technology upgrades.
Conclusion
By practicing Summarize Written Text questions, you will not only enhance your summarization skills but also grow your ability to recognize core ideas in complex texts—an indispensable skill for the PTE exam. Public health issues, particularly those prevalent in urban settings, are common in real exam prompts, so it’s useful to focus your preparation on this area. Be sure to apply these practices in your study and leave your thoughts or questions in the comments below!
