Summarize Written Text in PTE: Renewable Energy Integration into Cities

In today’s fast-evolving global landscape, renewable energy plays a crucial role in the development of sustainable urban areas. For those preparing for the PTE (Pearson Test of English), understanding how renewable energy is integrated into cities holds significant relevance both for the Speaking & Writing and Reading sections of the test. Specifically, “Summarize Written Text,” one of the test’s components, frequently features topics ranging from urban infrastructure to energy management. In this article, we provide in-depth practice with Summarize Written Text examples focusing on Renewable Energy Integration Into Cities, while guiding you through detailed, band-specific responses for effective PTE preparation.

Summarize Written Text: What You Need to Know

The Summarize Written Text task asks you to extract the key information from a provided passage, ranging from 150 to 300 words, and condense it into a single sentence of between 5 and 75 words.

For the following exercises, the main keyword “Renewable energy integration into cities” will be used to explore various elements of urban development, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Practice Example 1: Smart Grid Infrastructure

Prompt:
As cities continue to grow, the challenge of maintaining a reliable energy supply becomes more pressing. The integration of renewable energy into urban planning is critical to ensure long-term sustainability and reduce carbon footprints. One of the key innovations is the development of smart grids, which allow for efficient management of electricity generation and consumption. Smart grids use information technology to optimize the balance between energy demand and supply, especially incorporating renewable sources like wind and solar power. This integration can reduce dependency on non-renewable energy, lead to significant cost savings, and improve energy accessibility in modern cities.

Summarize the written text in one sentence.

Sample Response 1: High Band (79-90)

The integration of renewable energy into city planning and the development of smart grids using information technology allows for sustainable management of energy demand and supply, reducing reliance on non-renewable resources and achieving cost savings.

Analysis:

• Content: The response successfully captures the essential message of the passage, including key information about urban planning, smart grids, sustainability, and cost savings.
• Form: The sentence is concise yet complete, adhering to the PTE requirement of being between 5-75 words.
• Grammar: Correct sentence structure and grammar usage.
• Vocabulary: Appropriate academic vocabulary, including terms such as “integration,” “sustainable,” and “non-renewable resources.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Sample Response 2: Mid Band (65-79)

Smart grids and renewable energy technologies help cities efficiently manage their energy needs while reducing dependency on fossil fuels.

Analysis:

• Content: The primary concepts, including smart grids and renewable energy, are mentioned, but there is less emphasis on long-term sustainability and cost savings.
• Form: Satisfactory—falls within the word count limit (19 words).
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure but still grammatically sound.
• Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary; terms such as “technologies” and “fossil fuels” are accurate but less varied.
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Sample Response 3: Low Band (50-64)

Renewable energy helps improve city power grids and reduce pollution.

Analysis:

• Content: Overly simplified—the response misses important details about smart grids, cost savings, and information technology.
• Form: Too short and lacks specific information (9 words).
• Grammar: Basic but no grammatical issues.
• Vocabulary: Lacks academic tone, relying on more general words like “helps” and “pollution.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Practice Example 2: Urban Renewable Energy Adoption

Prompt:
Renewable energy adoption in public infrastructure, especially in urban areas, has become a key priority as cities look to reduce carbon emissions and meet environmental goals. Wind farms, solar panels, and electric vehicle charging stations are examples of renewable projects being implemented within cities. These initiatives not only support the transition to cleaner energy sources but also foster economic development by creating jobs in renewable sectors.

Summarize the written text in one sentence.

Sample Response 1: High Band (79-90)

Cities are increasingly adopting renewable energy solutions in public infrastructure, such as wind farms and solar panels, to meet environmental goals, reduce carbon emissions, and stimulate job growth.

Analysis:

• Content: Provides a complete summary including environmental and economic benefits of adopting renewable energy in cities.
• Form: The sentence is effectively shortened without omitting key points (26 words).
• Grammar: Excellent grammar and sentence flow.
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated words like “adoption,” “solutions,” and “stimulate job growth.”
• Spelling: No spelling issues.

For further detailed practices on topics such as Smart cities and renewable energy integration, PTE-Edu offers extensive resources.

Sample Response 2: Mid Band (65-79)

Renewable energy in cities, such as wind farms and solar, helps reduce emissions and create jobs.

Analysis:

• Content: The response is concise but misses details about public infrastructure and environmental goals (15 words).
• Form: Effective, though it could be more comprehensive.
• Grammar: Grammatically correct.
• Vocabulary: Basic word choices like “helps reduce” limit the complexity of expression.
• Spelling: No errors.

To explore more urban energy-related insights, visit our article on Renewable energy in urban development.

Vocabulary and Grammar Focus

Here are 10 critical terms encountered in the above Summarize Written Text exercises:

1. Sustainability /səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ə.ti/
   Meaning: The ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level.
   Example: Renewable energy ensures the long-term sustainability of urban growth.

2. Carbon footprint /ˌkɑːr.bən ˈfʊt.prɪnt/
   Meaning: The total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by activities or organizations.
   Example: Reducing carbon footprints is a major goal for modern city planners.

3. Non-renewable /ˌnɒn.rɪˈnjuːə.bəl/
   Meaning: Energy sources that are finite, such as coal or oil.
   Example: Dependency on non-renewable resources is being reduced through green technologies.

4. Infrastructure /ˈɪn.frəˌstrʌk.tʃər/
   Meaning: The basic physical systems of a business or nation, such as transportation or power.
   Example: Cities require updated infrastructure to accommodate renewable energy.

5. Adoption /əˈdɒp.ʃən/
   Meaning: The action or process of choosing to follow or implement something new.
   Example: Adoption of solar power in urban areas is accelerating.

6. Smart grid /smɑːrt ɡrɪd/
   Meaning: An energy network that uses digital technology to manage supply and demand.
   Example: Smart grids facilitate the efficient integration of renewable energy.

7. Emission /ɪˈmɪʃ.ən/
   Meaning: The production and discharge of something, typically gas or radiation.
   Example: Electric cars are helping cities reduce their overall emissions.

8. Decarbonization /diː.kɑːrˌbɒn.əˈzeɪʃn/
   Meaning: The process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
   Example: Decarbonization efforts include the shift to renewable energy technologies.

9. Energy accessibility /ˈɛnərdʒi ækˌsɛsəˈbɪləti/
   Meaning: The degree to which energy is available to people.
   Example: Renewable energy projects aim to improve energy accessibility in underserved regions.

10. Fossil fuel /ˈfɒsəl fjuːl/
    Meaning: Natural fuels like coal or oil formed from the remains of living organisms.
    Example: Reducing dependence on fossil fuels is vital for achieving eco-friendly cities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, mastering the Summarize Written Text section is key to success in the PTE. Topics like renewable energy integration into cities are not only relevant but also reflective of real-world urban sustainability efforts. Practice these sample prompts and responses to refine your skills and apply them in the test. For more in-depth content, take a look at articles detailing renewable energy adoption in public infrastructure and other pressing industry topics.

Feel free to drop your comments below to share your summaries or ask questions!