In the PTE exam’s Summarize Written Text section, you are tasked with reading a short passage and summarizing it into one sentence. This section evaluates your ability to process information and write a concise and grammatically correct summary. In today’s practice, we’ll focus on the topic of Renewable Energy Subsidies And Policies—a contemporary topic often featured in discussions about energy reform and climate change.
Let’s dive into sample prompts and responses tailored to this subject.
Understanding Renewable Energy Subsidies and Policies
Prompt 1:
Governments around the world are increasingly offering subsidies to support the adoption of renewable energy sources like wind, solar, and geothermal. These subsidies play a critical role in reducing the costs of renewable energy technologies, which in turn accelerates their development and market penetration. However, the effectiveness of these subsidies is a matter of debate. Some argue that they lead to inefficient allocation of resources, while others believe that without such financial support, the renewable sector would struggle to compete with fossil fuel energy sources that have enjoyed subsidization for decades. A well-designed policy and subsidy framework is necessary to ensure the growth of the renewable energy market, while at the same time promoting efficiency and innovation.
Your task: Summarize the passage in one sentence using correct grammar.
Model Answer by Band Score
Band 79+ Answer:
Subsidies for renewable energy are crucial in reducing technology costs and promoting market growth, although effective policies must be implemented to ensure they do not result in inefficient resource allocation.
Feedback:
- Content: Fully covers the key points about subsidies’ role in reducing costs, promoting growth, and the need for effective policies.
- Form: Meets the word count requirement (5-75 words).
- Grammar: No errors in sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate use of the terms “subsidies,” “technology costs,” and “resource allocation.”
- Spelling: No spelling mistakes detected.
Renewable energy subsidies foster market growth, lower tech costs, and support competition
Band 65-79 Answer:
Subsidies are important in reducing renewable energy costs and encouraging development, although concerns of inefficiency exist.
Feedback:
- Content: Covers essential ideas but less detailed compared to the previous higher band.
- Form: The summary is concise and meets the word count.
- Grammar: Correct sentence, but slightly less complex than Band 79+.
- Vocabulary: Sufficient, though less expansive.
- Spelling: No issues.
Band 50-64 Answer:
Renewable energy subsidies help reduce costs and boost growth, but they may be inefficient.
Feedback:
- Content: Short and to the point, though some details about policy design are missing.
- Form: Concise, and within the required word range.
- Grammar: Simple sentence structure, easy to follow.
- Vocabulary: Limited, with basic terms used.
- Spelling: No errors.
Related Reading:
Learn how Renewable energy and government incentives can boost clean energy sectors globally.
More Summarize Written Text Samples
Prompt 2:
In recent years, many governments have enforced policies to expand renewable energy sources, not just to make energy cheaper but also to lessen the impacts of climate change. However, challenges remain, including the costs associated with transitioning from fossil fuels and ensuring that subsidies are fairly distributed. Policymakers must also consider the economic implications, as renewable energy has the potential to create jobs, stabilize energy prices, and reduce environmental damage. The interaction of these factors must be carefully managed through holistic energy policies to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Your task: Summarize the passage in one sentence using correct grammar.
Model Answer by Band Score
Band 79+ Answer:
Government policies promoting renewable energy aim to reduce climate impacts and create job opportunities, but challenges around cost distribution and transitioning from fossil fuels require careful management.
Challenges and benefits of transitioning to renewable energy via government policies
Band 65-79 Answer:
Policies for renewable energy can reduce climate impacts and create jobs, but challenges like cost distribution remain.
Band 50-64 Answer:
The adoption of renewable energy through government policies faces cost and transition challenges.
Related Resource:
For more on this subject, check out Renewable energy and job creation.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
Here are ten challenging words from the passages, along with their pronunciation and definitions:
-
Subsidies /ˈsʌbsɪdiz/
Definition: Financial incentives provided by the government to lower the cost of goods or services.
Example: Government subsidies helped lower the cost of solar panels for homeowners. -
Penetration /ˌpɛnɪˈtreɪʃən/
Definition: The extent to which a product or service is adopted by the general market.
Example: The market penetration of wind energy increased dramatically over the last decade. -
Allocation /ˌæləˈkeɪʃən/
Definition: The process of distributing resources for a particular purpose.
Example: The policy ensures an equitable allocation of renewable energy resources. -
Fossil Fuels /ˈfɑːsəl ˌfjuːəlz/
Definition: Natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.
Example: Fossil fuels have long been a dominant source of energy worldwide. -
Innovation /ˌɪnəˈveɪʃən/
Definition: The process of introducing new methods, ideas, or products.
Example: Renewable energy innovation is key to reducing reliance on fossil fuels. -
Transitioning /trænˈzɪʃənɪŋ/
Definition: The process or a period of changing from one state or condition to another.
Example: Transitioning to renewable energy is challenging due to existing infrastructure. -
Holistic /hoʊˈlɪstɪk/
Definition: Relating to the whole system rather than just its parts.
Example: A holistic energy policy considers environmental, economic, and social factors. -
Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/
Definition: Capable of being maintained at a steady level without exhausting resources or causing severe ecological damage.
Example: Sustainable energy sources are vital for future generations.
Key vocabulary related to renewable energy and sustainability
-
Stabilize /ˈsteɪbəlaɪz/
Definition: To make something become stable or steady.
Example: Renewable energy has the potential to stabilize energy prices over time. -
Implications /ˌɪmplɪˈkeɪʃənz/
Definition: The possible effects or results of an action or a decision.
Example: The policy has broad economic implications for the energy sector.
Conclusion
In conclusion, practicing Summarize Written Text questions on topics like Renewable Energy Subsidies and Policies is a critical way to improve your summarization skills for the PTE exam. As renewable energy is a significant area of global focus, learning how to create concise, precise summaries of related articles will serve you well. Continue to practice on similar topics such as Renewable energy and climate policy and Renewable energy market growth analysis for a broader understanding of the subject.
