The Summarize Written Text section of the PTE Speaking & Writing exam tests your ability to read a passage and summarize its content in a single sentence. This is a crucial skill, as it shows your capacity to quickly grasp and condense information — an essential ability for academic and professional communication. One recurring topic in this section focuses on renewable energy and its relation to economic resilience, as it is an increasingly important issue in today’s global landscape.
In this article, we will explore some example questions, answer samples, and analyze the grading criteria within familiar topics like “Renewable Energy And Economic Resilience.”
Example 1: Summarize Written Text Practice – Renewable Energy
Question
Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower offer significant advantages over traditional fossil fuels, not only in terms of reducing environmental impact but also in enhancing long-term economic resilience. Traditional energy sources such as coal and oil are subject to volatile price fluctuations and finite supplies, making economies reliant on these fuels susceptible to sudden economic shocks. In contrast, renewable energy is abundant, scalable, and increasingly cost-effective, ensuring stability in energy pricing. Moreover, investing in green technologies creates jobs, stimulates innovation, and generates new revenue streams for economies worldwide. Policy frameworks that support the development and integration of renewable energy not only help achieve climate goals but also reinforce a nation’s long-term economic security.
Summarize the paragraph in one sentence.
Sample Responses
Band 90 (High Score):
Renewable energy not only reduces environmental impact but also boosts economic resilience by reducing reliance on volatile fossil fuels, creating jobs, and fostering innovation through long-term sustainable investment.
Content: This response effectively captures the main ideas of the text, including the environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy, job creation, and innovation.
Form: Correct length (one sentence).
Grammar: Flawless grammar and use of connectors.
Vocabulary: Uses a range of advanced vocabulary such as “resilience,” “volatile,” and “fostering.”
Spelling: No spelling issues.
Renewable energy offers environmental and economic benefits including resilience and job creation
Band 70:
Renewable energy helps the environment and economy by providing a stable energy source, creating jobs, and supporting technological progress.
Content: Captures the primary ideas of environmental and economic benefits but lacks the mention of price volatility or fossil fuel reliance.
Form: Correct length (one sentence).
Grammar: No grammatical errors, but the sentence structure is simpler.
Vocabulary: Vocabulary range is sufficient, but less advanced than in higher-scoring responses.
Spelling: No spelling issues.
Band 50:
Renewable energy is good because it is more sustainable and creates jobs.
Content: This response misses key aspects such as economic resilience and price stability. It touches briefly on sustainability and job creation but lacks depth.
Form: Correct length (one sentence).
Grammar: Simple sentence structure without issues, but lacks complexity.
Vocabulary: The vocabulary is overly simplistic (“good” instead of “beneficial” or “sustainable”).
Spelling: No spelling issues.
Analysis of Criteria
- Content: Higher scoring responses capture both the environmental impact of renewable energy and its contribution to economic stability, including job creation and reduced reliance on fossil fuels.
- Form: All responses should be within one sentence as per the test’s requirements, and there should be no sentence fragments or run-ons.
- Grammar: Higher scores will have grammatically correct, more complex sentence structures. Avoid simple sentences or overly repetitious patterns.
- Vocabulary: Advanced vocabulary and synonymous phrases help elevate the score, as long as the word choice is accurate and suitable.
- Spelling: Ensure zero spelling errors to avoid deductions in this area.
Example 2: Summarize Written Text Practice – Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy
Question
The transition to renewable energy is vital for both environmental and economic reasons. While fossil fuel industries have dominated for centuries, they contribute significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, increasing the urgency for alternative solutions. Renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, and geothermal energy not only combat climate change but also bring economic benefits by reducing energy costs in the long term, creating green jobs, and stimulating economic growth through investments in clean infrastructure. Importantly, renewable energy also enhances energy security by reducing dependency on imported fuels, which can be subject to price shocks and geopolitical risks. Thus, transitioning to renewable energy provides a multifaceted solution for both climate and economic resilience.
Summarize the paragraph in one sentence.
Sample Responses
Band 90 (High Score):
Transitioning to renewable energy not only mitigates climate change but also enhances economic resilience by creating jobs, reducing energy costs, and reducing dependence on imported fuels.
Content: Successfully summarizes the dual benefits for climate and economy, mentioning important aspects like job creation, energy cost reduction, and decreased fuel dependency.
Form: Correct sentence form, neither too short nor too lengthy.
Grammar: Well-structured sentence with complex clauses.
Vocabulary: Sophisticated vocabulary such as “mitigates,” “resilience,” and “dependence.”
Spelling: No spelling issues.
Renewable energy transition reduces costs and dependency while boosting the economy
Band 70:
Moving to renewable energy helps the environment and economy by reducing emissions, saving costs, and reducing dependency on imports.
Content: Covers critical points, though the sentence is more simplistic and lacks depth on specific economic impacts.
Form: Appropriately formed sentence.
Grammar: No errors in grammar but the sentence structure is less complex.
Vocabulary: Decent vocabulary (“reducing emissions”) but lacks the depth of a higher band.
Spelling: No spelling issues.
Band 50:
Renewable energy is better for the environment and the economy.
Content: Too vague, with no mention of specific benefits such as job creation, cost savings, or fuel dependency.
Form: Correct sentence length, but lacks the detail needed for a higher score.
Grammar: Simple with no errors.
Vocabulary: Limited and vague, without the advanced language or detail expected at higher levels.
Spelling: No spelling issues.
Vocabulary from Practice Passages
-
Resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/: The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.
Example: Economic resilience allows a country to withstand global market volatility. -
Fossil fuels /ˈfɒsəl fjuːlz/: Natural fuels such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.
Example: The shift away from fossil fuels is imperative to reduce carbon footprint. -
Mitigate /ˈmɪtɪɡeɪt/: Make less severe, serious, or painful.
Example: Policies to mitigate climate change are increasingly being prioritized. -
Volatile /ˈvɒl.ə.taɪl/: Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse.
Example: The volatile nature of fuel prices makes renewable energy more attractive for governments. -
Geopolitical /ˌdʒiː.oʊ.pəˈlɪt.ɪ.kəl/: Relating to politics, especially international relations, as influenced by geographical factors.
Example: Geopolitical dependence on oil can destabilize economies. -
Abundant /əˈbʌn.dənt/: Available in large quantities.
Example: Solar energy is abundant and can be harnessed worldwide. -
Infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəˌstrʌktʃə/: The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Example: Building green infrastructure is key to a successful energy transition. -
Sustainable /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/: Able to be maintained or continued over a long period.
Example: Sustainable energy sources are essential for future economic stability. -
Emission /ɪˈmɪʃən/: The production and discharge of something, especially gas or radiation.
Example: Countries are aiming to reduce carbon emissions within the next decade. -
Dependency /dɪˈpendənsi/: The state of relying on or being controlled by something or someone else.
Example: Reduced dependency on foreign oil is a top priority for many nations.
Conclusion
The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE exam requires focus, precision, and the ability to condense a range of complex ideas into a single clear sentence. By practicing with topics such as renewable energy and its impact on economic resilience, test-takers can enhance their ability to meaningfully engage with contemporary global issues with clarity and confidence. Renewable energy’s intersection with economic sustainability is a common topic that may appear frequently, making it a valuable area for targeted practice.
Feel free to try summarizing more paragraphs on similar topics, and don’t forget to share your results or post any questions in the comments for feedback.
