Sample Prompt: Public Opinion on Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a revolutionary technology with the potential to transform every aspect of public and private life. Recent surveys indicate that public opinion on AI is highly varied depending on geographic location, age group, and societal background. For instance, a majority of young people in advanced economies such as the United States and the European Union express optimism about AI’s potential to improve healthcare, reduce global inequality, and drive technological innovation. However, among older age groups, particularly in less developed economies, there is a pervasive fear that AI might lead to widespread unemployment and exacerbate societal divisions. Additionally, a significant number of people express concerns over privacy and the ethical dimensions of AI, notably in terms of bias and surveillance capabilities. As AI technology continues to evolve, so too will public opinion, but it is clear that society is still grappling with both its benefits and challenges.
Your task: Write a one-sentence summary of the passage above.
Answer Example by Band Score
Band 90 Sample Answer:
Public opinion on AI varies significantly across demographics, with younger individuals in developed nations being optimistic about AI’s benefits while older people, particularly in emerging economies, fear its consequences for employment and privacy.
Content:
This response summarizes the key points of the passage effectively, including the main ideas such as geographic and generational differences in opinion, as well as concerns about AI’s impact on employment and privacy.
Form:
The summary is a single, compound sentence with good coherence and structure.
Grammar:
Excellent use of complex sentence structures with accurate verb tenses and prepositions.
Vocabulary:
Sophisticated word choices like “demographics,” “optimistic,” “emerging economies,” and “consequences” enhance the overall response.
Spelling:
Perfect spelling throughout the sentence.
Band 80 Sample Answer:
People’s views on AI differ, with younger generations in developed economies seeing AI as beneficial while older adults, especially in developing countries, are more concerned about job loss and privacy issues.
Content:
The key points are present but with less detail regarding specific regions or examples, as compared to the 90 band answer.
Form:
The response is a well-constructed sentence that covers the main ideas.
Grammar:
Generally accurate with good sentence structure, but simpler compared to the 90 band.
Vocabulary:
Good use of vocabulary: “beneficial,” “concerned,” and “job loss,” but lacks some nuanced terms found in the higher band response.
Spelling:
No errors.
Band 70 Sample Answer:
Younger people in rich countries have a positive view of AI, while older people in poorer countries worry about jobs and privacy.
Content:
This sentence captures the key ideas, though it is missing some distinctions, such as the ethical concerns or the exact nature of the societal variations.
Form:
The response uses simple sentence structures without much complexity.
Grammar:
Basic sentence with no mistakes, but lacking variety in grammatical structures.
Vocabulary:
Straightforward word choices like “positive,” “worry,” and “jobs” are used effectively but could be more advanced.
Spelling:
Correct throughout.
Band 60 Sample Answer:
Young people like AI, but older people are afraid of losing jobs.
Content:
This is a minimalist summary, omitting several key points such as geographic variations and privacy concerns.
Form:
The response is a short, simple sentence.
Grammar:
Correct use of basic grammar but lacks complexity and fluency.
Vocabulary:
Very limited vocabulary with words like “like” and “afraid” without showing range or depth.
Spelling:
There are no spelling errors.
Vocabulary and Grammar Breakdown
-
Revolutionary /ˌrɛvəˈluːʃənɛri/ – (adj.): Involving or causing a complete or dramatic change.
Example: The internet was a revolutionary advancement in communication technologies. -
Optimism /ˈɒptɪmɪzəm/ – (n.): Hopefulness and confidence about the future.
Example: There is growing optimism that AI can solve many complex problems. -
Technological innovation /ˌtɛknəˈlɒdʒɪkl ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/ – (phrase): The introduction of new technology or methods.
Example: AI is seen as a driver of technological innovation in various industries. -
Pervasive /pəˈveɪsɪv/ – (adj.): Spreading widely throughout an area or group of people.
Example: The fear of automation is pervasive among older workers. -
Exacerbate /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ – (v.): To make something worse.
Example: AI could exacerbate inequality if not regulated properly. -
Inequality /ˌɪnɪˈkwɒlɪti/ – (n.): The state of not being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities.
Example: Economic inequality can be worsened by technological changes. -
Bias /ˈbaɪəs/ – (n.): Inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group.
Example: AI systems must be designed to reduce algorithmic bias. -
Surveillance /sɜːˈveɪləns/ – (n.): Close observation, especially of a suspected spy or criminal.
Example: Some fear that AI will be used to increase government surveillance of citizens. -
Ethical dimensions /ˈɛθɪkl dɪˈmɛnʃənz/ – (phrase): The moral aspects of a situation or decision.
Example: The ethical dimensions of using AI in warfare are still being debated. -
Grappling with /ˈɡræplɪŋ wɪð/ – (phrase): Struggling to deal with or overcome a problem.
Example: Societies are still grappling with the impact of AI on employment.
Conclusion
In this article, we explored key aspects of public opinion on artificial intelligence through sample tasks for the “Summarize Written Text” section in the PTE exam. As demonstrated in the model answers, your ability to capture the essence of a topic—like the various views on AI—will set you apart. This is a crucial skill for increasing your overall score. Make sure to practice regularly and focus on improving your content, structure, vocabulary, and grammar. Leave a comment with your own summaries below, and let’s keep improving together!