Introduction
The Speaking & Writing section in the PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic test includes the Summarize Written Text task. This task requires you to read a passage and summarize the key information in just one sentence. One of the common topics in this section is Remote Working’s Impact on Work-Life Balance, which explores how working from home influences individuals’ personal and professional lives. In this article, we will examine sample prompts and responses based on this theme to help you effectively prepare for the task.
Sample Summarize Written Text: Remote Working’s Impact on Work-Life Balance
Below is a sample prompt based on the keyword “Remote working’s impact on work-life balance.”
Sample Prompt
Remote work has become increasingly popular, especially after the global pandemic, which forced countless businesses to shift their operations online. Advocates argue that remote working offers flexibility, allowing individuals to balance their professional obligations with personal life more easily, particularly for those with caregiving responsibilities. However, critics warn that the blurred boundary between home and work may lead to longer working hours, decreased productivity, and an inability to disconnect from work, which could contribute to burnout. Surveys suggest that while many employees appreciate the flexibility of remote work, they struggle with time management and setting clear boundaries between professional and personal life, raising concerns about long-term impacts on mental health and job satisfaction.
Summarize the text in one sentence.
Sample Responses Based on Band Score
Response for Band Score 90
While remote work provides flexibility and greater work-life balance for many, some individuals face challenges in managing time, setting boundaries, and avoiding burnout, which raises concerns about productivity and job satisfaction.
Analysis
- Content: This response successfully captures the core ideas, including the benefits of flexibility and the concerns about burnout and productivity.
- Form: It is written in one, complete sentence.
- Grammar: Grammatically sound, with correct use of commas and conjunctions.
- Vocabulary: Well-chosen vocabulary like “flexibility,” “burnout,” and “job satisfaction.”
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Remote working's impact on mental health and work-life balance
Response for Band Score 75
Remote work offers flexibility, but it blurs the distinction between personal and professional life, leading to issues such as burnout and decreased job satisfaction.
Analysis
- Content: This response mentions flexibility and the negative impact on personal-professional balance but overlooks the specific challenge of time management.
- Form: The sentence structure is clear, with one main clause.
- Grammar: Correct sentence structure without issues in tense or syntax.
- Vocabulary: Uses consistent and appropriate vocabulary.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Response for Band Score 65
Working from home gives flexibility for workers, but it can also lead to longer hours and make it hard to separate life from work.
Analysis
- Content: The response covers flexibility and the issue of separating work from personal life but does not fully mention burnout or job satisfaction.
- Form: Written in a single sentence, but lacks complexity.
- Grammar: Simple sentence structure, no grammatical errors.
- Vocabulary: Basic word choices, missing some advanced phrasing.
- Spelling: Correct.
Challenges of separating personal and professional life while working remotely
Response for Band Score 50
Remote work is flexible but it can make people work too much and affect their life.
Analysis
- Content: The response touches on flexibility and extended hours but omits important aspects like mental health or job satisfaction.
- Form: The sentence is short and lacks depth.
- Grammar: Simple sentence that is grammatically correct.
- Vocabulary: Very basic vocabulary, lacking advanced terms.
- Spelling: No issues with spelling.
Vocabulary and Grammar
Here is a list of 10 advanced vocabulary words from the sample prompt that can help you express ideas more clearly in PTE’s Summarize Written Text task.
- Advocate /ˈædvəˌkeɪt/ – A person who publicly supports a particular cause or policy. Example: She is an advocate for remote working policies.
- Obligations /ˌɑːblɪˈɡeɪʃənz/ – Duties or commitments. Example: Remote working allows flexibility in managing work obligations.
- Blurring /ˈblɜːrɪŋ/ – Making the distinction no longer clear. Example: The blurring of lines between work and personal life is a concern.
- Burnout /ˈbɜːrˌnaʊt/ – State of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Example: Burnout is one of the risks of working from home for extended periods.
- Boundaries /ˈbaʊndəriz/ – Limits or borders. Example: It’s important to create boundaries between work and personal time.
- Disconnect /ˌdɪs.kəˈnekt/ – To detach from work or a particular mode of activity. Example: Without set working hours, employees find it hard to disconnect.
- Flexibility /ˌflɛksəˈbɪləti/ – The ability to adjust to different conditions. Example: Flexibility is the main reason why employees prefer remote work.
- Productivity /ˌproʊdəkˈtɪvɪti/ – The efficiency at which tasks are completed. Example: Prolonged remote work can impact productivity negatively.
- Survey /sərˈveɪ/ – An investigation or study of opinions or behaviors through questioning a sample of people. Example: According to a recent survey, many workers appreciate working from home.
- Job satisfaction /dʒɑːb ˌsætɪsfækʃən/ – The level of fulfillment one feels regarding their professional work. Example: Remote work impacts employees’ job satisfaction in varied ways.
Illustrated pros and cons of remote work's impact on work-life balance
Conclusion
Incorporating the topic of Remote Working’s Impact on Work-Life Balance into your PTE preparation is a great way to sharpen your skills for the Summarize Written Text task. This common subject area reflects real-world issues, making it highly relevant in today’s work culture. By practicing with the prompts and sample answers provided here, you can refine your skills in summarizing key ideas concisely and accurately. Always remember to focus on including the core ideas while maintaining strict adherence to the one-sentence format, and don’t forget to practice regularly for optimal results.
