Summarize Written Text is a vital section in the Speaking & Writing part of the Pearson Test of English (PTE). Test-takers are expected to read a passage and summarize it into a single sentence with proper grammar, while keeping the summary relevant and concise. One common, real-world topic appearing in this section revolves around environmental discussions, including the use of renewable energy sources for households. This article aims to guide you on how to approach this type of topic effectively by providing sample prompts and answers. Moreover, we will break down the responses according to different band scores to give you valuable insights into the PTE scoring system.
To deepen your understanding of how renewable energy influences sustainability, you can explore Renewable energy sources and their role in sustainable development.
Sample Summarize Written Text Prompts on Renewable Energy
Prompt 1: The Benefits of Solar Energy for Households
The use of solar energy in households is increasing rapidly, as it provides a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution to energy needs. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, significantly reducing household energy bills. Additionally, solar energy is a renewable resource, meaning it can be replenished naturally and is not depleted over time like fossil fuels. By adopting solar energy, households can reduce their carbon footprint, contributing to the fight against climate change. Governments in many countries have introduced incentives, such as tax credits and rebates, to encourage the installation of solar energy systems. Although the initial cost of setting up solar panels can be high, the long-term financial benefits and environmental impact make it a worthwhile investment.
Summarize the written text in one sentence.
Prompt 2: Wind Energy and Its Role in Household Power Generation
Wind energy has become one of the fastest-growing sources for electricity generation worldwide, contributing significantly to household energy production in many countries. Wind turbines, which are large blades mounted on tall towers, harness the kinetic energy of the wind to generate electricity. This process produces no carbon emissions, making wind power a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional energy sources. Additionally, the cost of wind energy has been decreasing steadily due to technological advancements and increased efficiency in turbine design. Despite some challenges, such as noise pollution and geographic limitations, wind energy remains a crucial component in reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Summarize the written text in one sentence.
Sample Model Answers Based on Band Scores
Band 90+ Response (High Score)
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Solar energy is a sustainable and cost-effective solution for household energy needs, reducing electricity bills and carbon emissions, and despite high initial installation costs, it remains a worthwhile environmental investment supported by government incentives.
- Content: The response covers all key points, including sustainability, cost-effectiveness, environmental impact, and government incentives.
- Form: The response is a single sentence, with a word count within the required 5-75 words.
- Grammar: Complex sentence structure and various clauses used correctly.
- Vocabulary: Suitable academic vocabulary related to energy and environmental topics.
- Spelling: No spelling errors or mistakes noticed.
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Wind energy is a growing source of household power generated through turbines, which harness wind to create electricity with no carbon emissions, making it an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to fossil fuels despite challenges like noise and geographic restrictions.
- Content: All key ideas are present—wind energy’s benefits, sustainability, and potential challenges.
- Form: The sentence adheres to the word limit and is well-organized.
- Grammar: The structure is sophisticated and the sentence flows logically.
- Vocabulary: Advanced terms such as “eco-friendly” and “alternative” are used to enhance clarity.
- Spelling: No errors detected.
Band 65-79 Response (Medium Score)
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Solar energy reduces electricity bills and environmental impact, making it a good investment despite the high installation costs.
- Content: Key points like financial savings and environmental benefits are mentioned, but lacks detail on government incentives and sustainability.
- Form: Fulfills the sentence requirement with a concise response.
- Grammar: Simple but correct sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary used; appropriate but less descriptive.
- Spelling: Correct.
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Wind energy is generated by turbines that create electricity and is a clean alternative to fossil fuels.
- Content: Main ideas are given but lacks depth, omitting cost-efficiency and other challenges.
- Form: Complies with the word length guideline.
- Grammar: Simple sentence that is grammatically correct.
- Vocabulary: General vocabulary; does not fully capture the subject.
- Spelling: No issues reported.
Band 50-64 Response (Low Score)
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Solar panels help reduce household costs by providing renewable energy.
- Content: Too vague, does not mention crucial points such as environmental impact and government initiatives.
- Form: Short but fits the single-sentence requirement.
- Grammar: Basic structure, minimal grammatical risk taken.
- Vocabulary: Simplistic word choices.
- Spelling: Correct.
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Wind turbines generate electricity for homes and are good for the environment.
- Content: The core concept of wind energy is briefly mentioned but lacks supporting details.
- Form: Sentence is within the word count rule.
- Grammar: Bare minimum usage of sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Uses very basic terms.
- Spelling: No spelling mistakes.
Vocabulary and Grammar Insights
To succeed in Summarize Written Text, mastering advanced vocabulary and grammar is crucial. Below are some words that appeared in the sample prompts and explanations of their usage.
| Word | Phonetic | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon footprint | /ˈkɑːbən ˌfʊtprɪnt/ | The amount of carbon dioxide emissions for which an individual or organization is responsible. | Solar energy can reduce the carbon footprint of households. |
| Incentives | /ɪnˈsɛntɪvz/ | Rewards or benefits given to motivate certain actions. | Governments provide incentives to promote solar energy installation. |
| Renewables | /rɪˈnjuːəblz/ | Resources that replenish naturally over time, such as the sun or wind. | Renewables are seen as a key to fighting global warming. |
| Fossil fuels | /ˈfɒsl fjʊəlz/ | Natural resources like coal, oil, and gas, which release carbon when burned. | Fossil fuels contribute heavily to climate change. |
| Sustainable | /səˈsteɪnəbl/ | Capable of being maintained and not harming the environment. | Wind power is a sustainable energy source. |
| Replenished | /rɪˈplɛnɪʃt/ | Restored, refilled, or supplied again. | Solar energy is replenished naturally every day. |
| Installation | /ˌɪnstəˈleɪʃən/ | The action of putting something into position for use. | The installation of solar panels can be costly at first. |
| Turbines | /ˈtɜːbaɪnz/ | Machines that produce energy by converting kinetic energy into electricity. | Wind turbines are used to generate power from wind. |
| Geographic | /ˌdʒiːəˈɡræfɪk/ | Related to the physical characteristics of a location. | Wind energy may face geographic restrictions in certain areas. |
| Alternative | /ɒlˈtɜːnətɪv/ | A different or substitute option. | Both solar and wind are alternative energy sources to fossil fuels. |
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored Summarize Written Text prompts focused on renewable energy sources like solar and wind, which frequently appear in the topic list for the Speaking & Writing section of the PTE exam. We have broken down model answers according to various band scores and provided a comprehensive vocabulary guide to improve your writing skills. Practicing regularly and using the tips provided will certainly help improve your score on this section.
For a deeper dive into how renewable energy contributes to a more sustainable future, we recommend reading more on Renewable energy sources and their role in sustainable development.
