Summarize Written Text in PTE: Space Exploration’s Benefits and Challenges

Space exploration is a popular topic in the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE exam. This section tests candidates on their ability to comprehend, condense, and summarize key points from written texts, often on various topics including global issues such as space exploration. In this article, we present sample practice prompts, responses, and analysis, to help you understand how to navigate this part of the exam while focusing on the key phrase: Space exploration’s benefits and challenges.

Sample PTE Summarize Written Text Prompts on Space Exploration

Prompt 1:

Summarize the following written text in one sentence.

Space exploration offers numerous possibilities to expand human knowledge and improve life on Earth, yet significant barriers exist in terms of cost, technology, and ethical considerations. One of the main benefits is the advancement of scientific understanding, such as the development of technologies that are transformed for everyday use, including GPS systems and medical imaging tools. However, the immense financial burden associated with space missions raises serious concerns over whether these funds could be better invested in addressing Earth-based problems like hunger, poverty, and climate change. Furthermore, ethical dilemmas arise when it comes to the potential colonization of other planets, as this could have unforeseen consequences for both humanity and the extraterrestrial environments.

Responses Based on Band Scores:

Band Score 65+:
Space exploration enhances human knowledge and creates innovative technologies, but it faces financial, technical, and ethical challenges, especially concerning priorities on Earth and the impact of planetary colonization.

• Content: This response successfully captures the key points regarding both the benefits and challenges of space exploration.
• Form: The response meets the word requirement and concisely focuses on the main idea.
• Grammar: Clear and grammatically sound sentence with no mistakes.
• Vocabulary: Good use of appropriate terms like “technologies,” “financial,” “ethical challenges.”
• Spelling: No errors were found in spelling.

Band Score 50-65:
Space exploration brings important benefits like new knowledge and technology, but it has problems with cost and ethics.

• Content: This response identifies some of the key ideas but lacks details about the contrast between benefits and challenges.
• Form: Appropriate length but lacks robustness in explanation.
• Grammar: Mostly correct, but simpler structures are used.
• Vocabulary: Simplistic terms such as “problems” and “benefits” instead of “challenges” and “ethical considerations.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors detected.

Band Score Below 50:
Space exploration has benefits, but also faces problems like cost.

• Content: The response is overly simplistic and omits critical points like technological and ethical concerns.
• Form: The sentence is too short and misses key content.
• Grammar: Basic sentence structure with no grammatical errors, but grammatically simple.
• Vocabulary: Very limited, with the repetition of simple words like “benefits” and “problems.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors, but the simplicity detracts from the overall effort.

Prompt 2:

Summarize the following written text in one sentence.

The journey into space has profound implications for human society, opening opportunities for planetary defense systems, expanding resources like minerals from asteroids, and advancing worldwide communications. Despite these remarkable achievements, the environmental impact of launching rockets into the atmosphere and the accumulation of space debris pose serious concerns. Moreover, the unequal distribution of the benefits from space exploration among the global population raises ethical issues regarding the commercialization of space.

Responses Based on Band Scores:

Band Score 65+:
While space exploration provides advancements in planetary defense, resources, and communication, it presents significant environmental and ethical challenges, particularly related to space debris and the commercialization of space.

• Content: The response fully captures the dual nature of space exploration’s benefits and challenges.
• Form: The sentence structure is correct, appropriately summarizing the entire content within the word limit.
• Grammar: No grammatical errors, with a complex structure in place.
• Vocabulary: Precise use of relevant terms like “planetary defense,” “space debris,” and “ethical challenges.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band Score 50-65:
Space exploration has good points such as new resources and communications, but also concerns about the environment and space debris.

• Content: Covers the basic challenges and benefits but fails to elaborate on aspects like planetary defense or ethical issues surrounding commercialization.
• Form: Summarizes appropriately but lacks depth in content.
• Grammar: Mostly accurate but simpler structures are used.
• Vocabulary: Basic words like “good points” instead of “advancements” or “achievements.”
• Spelling: No spelling errors.

Band Score Below 50:
Space exploration helps communication but hurts the environment.

• Content: Omits critical details such as planetary defense, resources, or specific environmental challenges like debris.
• Form: Insufficient length and neglects the main contrasting ideas in the passage.
• Grammar: Simple sentence but no grammatical issues.
• Vocabulary: Very limited vocabulary; does not attempt more descriptive language.
• Spelling: No spelling errors, but vocabulary is too basic.

Related Analysis: Common Issues and How to Avoid Them

In Summarize Written Text, students often struggle with:

1. Identifying main points across multiple paragraphs: For example, not all responses above captured the full spectrum of technological advancements, ethical challenges, and environmental concerns.
2. Grammar and sentence structure variety: While some responses are grammatically correct, simpler sentences often miss nuances of the text.

One way to address these challenges is by practicing paraphrasing and attempting to include all the main themes presented, as well as using more varied vocabulary.

Link To Related Content on Space Exploration:

A commonly discussed topic in space exploration involves its contribution to science and innovation. To further enhance your understanding in this area, consider checking our detailed breakdown on Space exploration’s contribution to science.

Vocabulary and Grammar Review

When discussing space exploration, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with key terms that may appear in the text. Here’s a list of 10 important words from the content above:

1. Advancements /ədˈvɑːns.mənts/ – Sự tiến bộ, phát triển
   Example: Space exploration has led to significant technological advancements.

2. Ethics /ˈɛθ.ɪks/ – Đạo đức
   Example: The ethics of space colonization presents numerous challenges.

3. Commercialization /kəˌmɜː.ʃəl.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ – Thương mại hóa
   Example: The commercialization of space raises concerns about inequality.

4. Debris /dəˈbriː/ – Mảnh vỡ, rác thải
   Example: Space debris has become a growing problem in Earth’s orbit.

5. Colonization /ˌkɒ.lə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ – Sự chiếm đóng, định cư
   Example: The potential colonization of Mars is hotly debated among scientists.

6. Implications /ˌɪm.plɪˈkeɪ.ʃənz/ – Hệ quả
   Example: The implications of failing to manage space debris are severe.

7. Planetary /plæn.ɪ.tər.i/ – Thuộc về hành tinh
   Example: Planetary defense technology is crucial for protecting Earth.

8. Minimization /ˌmɪn.ɪ.maɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ – Sự giảm thiểu
   Example: Reducing space debris requires the minimization of unnecessary satellite launches.

9. Inequality /ˌɪn.ɪˈkwɒl.ɪ.ti/ – Bất bình đẳng
   Example: Inequality in accessing space technologies negatively impacts developing nations.

10. Exploration /ˌɛks.plɔːˈreɪ.ʃən/ – Sự khám phá
    Example: Space exploration continues to be one of humanity’s most ambitious goals.

Conclusion

Summarizing complex texts like “Space exploration’s benefits and challenges” is a vital skill to master for the Summarize Written Text task in PTE. By recognizing the main ideas and balancing them effectively in one coherent sentence, you significantly improve your chances of achieving a high score. Stay informed on current global topics like space exploration, and make sure to keep practicing with real-world examples to get ahead in the exam.

Looking forward to your thoughts or questions about this topic? Drop a comment below and start the conversation!