Summarize Written Text in PTE: Renewable Energy Resources for Industries

When preparing for the PTE exam, the Summarize Written Text (SWT) task in the Speaking & Writing section is a crucial component that you need to focus on. One topic that often appears in this task is about energy sources, particularly Renewable Energy Resources For Industries. Understanding this topic and knowing how to summarize it effectively can help boost your exam score.

In this article, we will explore a sample SWT task on “Renewable Energy Resources for Industries”, and provide model answers for different proficiency levels. We’ll also look at some challenging vocabulary you might encounter.

Sample Summarize Written Text Task

Below is a sample prompt for your SWT practice, focusing on renewable energy resources used in industries.

Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence. Your response should be between 5 and 75 words.

In recent years, there has been a significant shift towards renewable energy resources for industrial uses. Industries have traditionally relied on fossil fuels; however, with growing concerns about environmental degradation, renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydropower, are becoming increasingly important. Solar energy, for example, allows factories to produce electricity using sunlight, reducing their dependence on coal and natural gas. Similarly, wind power has enabled entire industrial zones to operate using wind turbines, reducing carbon emissions significantly. Hydropower continues to be one of the largest contributors to industrial energy needs by using the force of water currents to generate power. Governments and corporations are investing heavily in these technologies, viewing them as the key to achieving sustainable growth while reducing the environmental impact of industrial operations, which account for a large portion of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Summarize the text in your own words.

Sample Responses by Different PTE Band Scores

Band Score 90:

Industries are increasingly shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, as these not only reduce dependence on non-renewable resources but also contribute to fewer carbon emissions and sustainable growth through reduced environmental impact.

Analysis:

• Content: Accurately captures the main ideas of switching to renewable energy and its impact.
• Form: One sentence between the required 5-75 words.
• Grammar: Flawless with complex sentence structures.
• Vocabulary: Sophisticated use of terms like “dependence on non-renewable resources”, “carbon emissions”, and “sustainable growth”.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 80:

Many industries are moving towards renewable energy such as solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce their environmental impact and reliance on fossil fuels.

Analysis:

• Content: Contains most of the key points but lacks mention of government investments and long-term sustainability.
• Form: One sentence within the word range.
• Grammar: Correct grammar but simpler sentence structure.
• Vocabulary: Adequate usage of technical terms like “renewable energy” and “fossil fuels”.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 70:

As concerns over the environment rise, industries are turning to renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Analysis:

• Content: Captures the essential idea, but lacks specific details about carbon emissions and government roles.
• Form: Correct length.
• Grammar: Simple sentence structure, no errors.
• Vocabulary: Basic terms used correctly, but somewhat repetitive.
• Spelling: No errors.

Band Score 60:

Industries use renewable energy like solar and wind power to help the environment.

Analysis:

• Content: Lacks depth and completeness, missing references to hydropower, fossil fuels, and sustainable growth.
• Form: Short but acceptable under the 5-75 word requirement.
• Grammar: Grammatically correct, but simple.
• Vocabulary: Very basic vocabulary without variety.
• Spelling: No errors.

Key Vocabulary for the Topic

Here are 10 challenging words or phrases, along with their definitions and examples, that you might encounter when discussing Renewable Energy Resources for Industries:

1. Sustainability (/səˌsteɪnəˈbɪlɪti/): The ability to maintain or support something over the long term.
   Example: Renewable energy sources are crucial for industrial sustainability.

2. Hydropower (/ˈhaɪ.droʊˌpaʊər/): Power derived from the energy of flowing water.
   Example: Hydropower plants generate electricity using currents from rivers.

3. Carbon emissions (/ˈkɑːrbən ɪˈmɪʃənz/): The release of carbon into the atmosphere as a result of burning fossil fuels.
   Example: Industrial reliance on renewable energy can significantly reduce carbon emissions.

4. Degradation (/ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃən/): The process by which something is damaged or deteriorated.
   Example: Environmental degradation is a concern that pushes industries toward greener energy.

5. Non-renewable (/nɒn-rɪˈnjuːəbl̩/): A type of resource that cannot be readily replaced faster than it is consumed.
   Example: Fossil fuels are non-renewable resources while solar energy is renewable.

6. Turbine (/ˈtɜːr.baɪn/): A machine for generating power through fluid forces, often used in wind energy.
   Example: Wind turbines help industries meet their energy needs sustainably.

7. Environmental impact (/ɪnˌvaɪrənˈmɛntəl ˈɪmpækt/): The effect that human activity has on the environment.
   Example: Shifting to renewable energy can lessen the environmental impact of industrial operations.

8. Fossil fuels (/ˈfɒsəl fjʊəlz/): Natural fuels like coal and gas formed from the remains of ancient organisms.
   Example: Industries transitioning to renewable energy aim to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.

9. Government investment (/ˈɡʌvərmənt ɪnˈvɛstmənt/): Financial support provided by a government to promote growth in a particular sector.
   Example: Increased government investment in renewable energy is essential for widespread adoption by industries.

10. Industrial zones (/ɪnˈdʌstrɪəl zoʊnz/): Areas designated for the housing of industries and manufacturing plants.
    Example: Many industrial zones are now powered by wind energy to decrease reliance on fossil fuels.

Conclusion

The topic of Renewable Energy Resources for Industries is a highly relevant and popular subject in the PTE Summarize Written Text section. By practicing with the sample task and examining the model responses provided, you can better understand how to structure your summaries to meet PTE criteria. Renewable energy is critical for the future of industrial operations, and understanding it will not only help in your PTE exam but also in your broader language learning journey.

Feel free to practice with this example and share your results in the comments below for further discussion and improvement!