Remote work has become increasingly common, especially after the global pandemic, and it continues to influence how individuals and businesses operate. In this article, we’ll explore the typical “Summarize Written Text” task that is centered around the topic of remote work’s influence on productivity. Let’s dive into possible practice questions, answer samples across different scoring bands, and an in-depth analysis to help you succeed in this part of the PTE exam.
Practice Task: Summarize Written Text on Remote Work’s Influence on Productivity
Below is a sample text you can use to practice for the “Summarize Written Text” task. Remember to pay attention to the requirements and the content of the text.
Sample question:
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the landscape of work. An increasing number of companies worldwide have implemented remote work policies aiming to protect employees and ensure business continuity. While some studies show that remote work boosts productivity due to reduced commuting time, fewer office distractions, and flexible working hours, others point out potential drawbacks, such as a lack of collaboration, increased isolation, and difficulty in separating work from personal life. Furthermore, the long-term implications of working remotely on overall employee wellbeing and company culture are still uncertain. Organizations are continuously adapting their policies to balance the pros and cons of this working model.
Task: Summarize the passage in one sentence (between 5 and 75 words).
Sample Answers by Band Score
Band Score: 90
- The shift to remote work has resulted in various productivity benefits and challenges, with some companies observing a boost in efficiency due to flexibility and reduced commuting time, while others struggle with issues like isolation, lack of collaboration, and potential cultural implications.
Analysis
- Content: The summary captures both the productivity benefits and challenges of remote work, including all key points: flexibility, isolation, and organizational impacts.
- Form: The sentence is complete and within the required word count.
- Grammar: The grammar structure is accurate and uses appropriate transitions.
- Vocabulary: Good use of vocabulary such as “boost in efficiency,” “flexibility,” and “potential cultural implications.”
- Spelling: No spelling mistakes.
Band Score: 80
- Remote work has improved productivity due to factors like no commuting and flexible hours, but it also poses challenges such as isolation and difficulties with collaboration and maintaining company culture.
Analysis
- Content: The main ideas are addressed, but fewer details are covered compared to the higher score.
- Form: This is a single sentence with a clear structure, meeting the word count requirements.
- Grammar: The sentence structure is grammatically correct with smooth transitions.
- Vocabulary: The vocabulary choice is good but somewhat simpler, such as using “improved” instead of “boosted” or “increased.”
- Spelling: No spelling mistakes.
Band Score: 70
- Remote work is beneficial for productivity but also creates problems like isolation and difficulty in working as a team.
Analysis
- Content: The summary acknowledges both the benefits and challenges but lacks depth in covering important specifics like “commuting” and “company culture.”
- Form: The sentence is well-formed and concise, adhering to the word limit.
- Grammar: The structure is acceptable, though simpler compared to higher bands.
- Vocabulary: The vocabulary is basic, with phrases like “creates problems” and “working as a team,” which could be expressed in a more sophisticated way.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band Score: 60
- Remote work can raise productivity but sometimes causes isolation and reduces teamwork.
Analysis
- Content: The summary lacks several critical details and only presents a very basic understanding of the passage.
- Form: The sentence meets the word limit but is overly simplistic.
- Grammar: The sentence is grammatically correct, but lacks complexity.
- Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary without much variety; terms like “sometimes” and “reduces” don’t convey nuances.
- Spelling: No spelling mistakes.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
Understanding and using advanced vocabulary can significantly boost your score. Here are 10 challenging words/phrases from the passage that you should familiarize yourself with to enhance your writing quality.
- Landscape /ˈlænd.skeɪp/ – (Noun) An overview or situation in a specific field.
- Example: The competitive landscape of the market has shifted dramatically.
- Continuity /ˌkɑːn.tənˈuː.ə.t̬i/ – (Noun) The unbroken and consistent existence of something over time.
- Example: Ensuring business continuity during the crisis was a top priority.
- Drawbacks /ˈdrɔː.bæks/ – (Noun) Disadvantages or negative aspects of something.
- Example: The drawbacks of this model include high initial costs and maintenance.
- Collaboration /kəˌlæb.əˈreɪ.ʃən/ – (Noun) The action of working with others to achieve a common goal.
- Example: Effective collaboration is essential for a successful project outcome.
- Isolation /ˌaɪ.səˈleɪ.ʃən/ – (Noun) A state of being alone or cut off from others.
- Example: Remote work can lead to feelings of isolation among employees.
- Implications /ˌɪm.plɪˈkeɪ.ʃənz/ – (Noun) The likely effects or consequences of something.
- Example: The implications of this decision could be far-reaching.
- Wellbeing /ˈwelˌbiː.ɪŋ/ – (Noun) The state of being comfortable, healthy, or happy.
- Example: Employees’ wellbeing should be a priority during challenging times.
- Flexibility /ˌflek.səˈbɪl.ə.ti/ – (Noun) The ability to adapt to change easily.
- Example: Having flexibility in work schedules can enhance productivity.
- Organizational culture /ˌɔːr.ɡən.əˈzeɪ.ʃən.əl ˈkʌl.tʃər/ – (Phrase) The shared values, attitudes, and practices that characterize an institution or organization.
- Example: Maintaining organizational culture is challenging in a remote-only setup.
- Boost /buːst/ – (Verb) Increase or improve something significantly.
- Example: Regular feedback can help boost employees’ confidence.
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve explored the PTE Summarize Written Text task with a focus on how remote work affects productivity. The topic of remote work is both relevant and frequently tested in PTE, and practicing it can help you master this section of the exam. Make sure you fully understand the pros and cons of remote work outlined in the text and practice summarizing accurately.
Feel free to share your practice attempts or ask questions in the comments below!
