In the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE (Pearson Test of English), the Summarize Written Text task is an important aspect. You are presented with a passage and asked to summarize the content in one sentence, typically between 5 to 75 words. A key focus among recent topics in this section is closely tied to science and societal issues, with one of them being “Public Perception Of Genetic Modification”. In this article, we will show you some sample topics, provide model answers across different scoring bands, and navigate through essential vocabulary and grammar for this topic area.
Understanding the Summarize Written Text Task in PTE
The Summarize Written Text task is designed to test your ability to comprehend and communicate the key points of a given passage in one concise sentence. You must ensure you capture the most critical ideas without adding any extra information or leaving out important details. Key to this task is managing clarity, cohesion, and mechanics like grammar and spelling.
Given the public perception of topics like genetic modification tends to dominate social discourse, it’s no surprise that many passages on this theme appear in the PTE.
Pro Tip:
Word limit within Summarize Written Text is crucial! Always keep your response within the 5-75 words range, and avoid choppy or over-complicated word choices. Now, let’s dive deep into an example task revolving around the topic of genetic modification.
Sample Summarize Written Text Task: Genetic Modification
Example Prompt:
The use of genetic modification has been the subject of significant public controversy. At one end, proponents argue that genetic alterations can solve critical issues, such as the growing demand for food security and the development of resistant crops to help alleviate famine in various countries. They contend that GM technology offers unparalleled opportunities to advance medicine and sustainable agriculture. Critics, on the other hand, raise ethical concerns, suggesting the unknown long-term consequences of tampering with nature may result in ecological disruptions and affect biodiversity negatively. Furthermore, various advocacy groups demand better labeling for genetically modified foods, sparking debates about consumers’ rights to be informed versus corporate interests in biotechnology.
Summarize the main ideas of the passage in one sentence.
Model Answers Based on Band Scores
Band 90 (High-Scoring Response):
Genetic modification, while seen by proponents as a solution to critical issues like food security and agricultural sustainability, faces ethical objections related to environmental risks and concerns over consumers’ right to know about modified products.
Content: This response captures both sides of the argument, including technical benefits (e.g., food security) and ethical concerns such as environmental risks and labeling transparency.
Form: One single sentence within 75 words.
Grammar: Excellent use of complex sentence structures, including subordinate clauses.
Vocabulary: Appropriate variety of terms such as “ethical objections,” “food security,” and “environmental risks.”
Spelling: No errors.
Band 65 (Mid-Scoring Response):
Some people believe genetic modification offers solutions for agriculture, but others are concerned about unknown risks and want better labeling for modified foods.
Content: This captures both parts of the argument but lacks depth and specificity in terms of key concerns.
Form: The response is within the acceptable word count and is one single sentence.
Grammar: Simple sentence structures were used correctly without significant grammatical issues.
Vocabulary: Basic, with words like “concerned” and “better labeling” avoiding the use of more advanced terms.
Spelling: No errors.
Band 50 (Low-Scoring Response):
Genetic modification has both people supporting and people not supporting because of problems.
Content: This response is overly simplistic and misses key details such as specific reasons related to food security, ethics, or labeling.
Form: The word count is too low for a comprehensive summary, though it remains a single sentence.
Grammar: Very basic and lacking in complexity, with issues in parallel structure.
Vocabulary: Poor variety, with too many vague terms like “problems” and “people supporting”.
Spelling: No errors.
Essential Vocabulary for the Topic: Public Perception of Genetic Modification
Below are ten key terms from the passage above, including their pronunciation (IPA) and definitions, followed by examples to solidify their usage in your PTE preparation.
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Genetic Modification (dʒəˈnɛtɪk ˌmɑːdɪfɪˈkeɪʃən): The alteration of the genetic material of an organism.
Example: “Genetic modification can enhance crop resistance to pests.” -
Proponent (prəˈpəʊ.nənt): A person who advocates for a cause or idea.
Example: “Proponents of GM foods argue that they can solve the global hunger crisis.” -
Controversy (ˈkɒn.trə.vɜː.si): A prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion.
Example: “The controversy around GM crops continues to escalate.” -
Food Security (fuːd sɪˈkjʊərɪti): The state of having reliable access to sufficient quantities of affordable, nutritious food.
Example: “Improving food security is a priority for many developing nations.” -
Famine (ˈfæmɪn): Extreme scarcity of food.
Example: “Genetically modified crops aim to reduce the risk of widespread famine.” -
Tamper (ˈtæmpər): To interfere with something in order to cause damage or make unauthorized changes.
Example: “Many fear that tampering with nature through genetic engineering poses unpredictable risks.” -
Biodiversity (ˌbaɪəʊdaɪˈvɜːsɪti): The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
Example: “Critics worry about the potential negative effects of GMOs on biodiversity.” -
Advocacy (ˈædvəkəsi): Public support for a particular cause or policy.
Example: “Advocacy groups call for clearer labeling of genetically modified products.” -
Ecological Disruption (ˌikəˈlɒdʒɪkəl dɪsˈrʌpʃən): Disturbances to an ecosystem caused by external factors.
Example: “Genetic modification could lead to ecological disruptions if not carefully managed.” -
Ethical Concerns (ˈɛθɪkəl kənˈsɜːnz): Moral issues surrounding the rightness or wrongness of a particular action or policy.
Example: “There are important ethical concerns about the long-term impact of genetic engineering.”
Conclusion
The public perception of genetic modification remains a complex issue that intertwines science, ethics, and consumer rights. In the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam, understanding these debates is crucial to successfully presenting a balanced, concise summary. As demonstrated, learners must capture both specific scientific benefits and ethical considerations to achieve higher band scores.
We encourage you to practice this question and leave any comments below on how you structured your summary!
