The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE Speaking & Writing section challenges your ability to read, understand, and summarize complex academic content in 1-2 sentences. A common theme for this task, given the increasing focus on environmental and societal issues, might revolve around Sustainable Agriculture For Future Generations.
This type of content focuses on how agricultural practices can be made more sustainable to support future generations by maintaining environmental health, conserving resources, and improving food quality. Below, we will explore Summarize Written Text examples on the topic of sustainable agriculture, along with detailed answers at different scoring bands.
Practice Summarize Written Text on “Sustainable Agriculture for Future Generations”
Task Instructions
You will have 10 minutes to summarize the passage. Your response should be one single sentence. Your summary will be judged on the quality and content of your response.
Example Passage 1:
“Sustainable agriculture refers to farming practices that preserve the quality of the soil, reduce water usage, minimize the use of non-renewable resources, and reduce pollution while maintaining or increasing farm productivity. In response to the growing global population, sustainable farming is crucial in preventing future food shortages. By reducing reliance on chemicals and transitioning to organic or precision farming, sustainable agriculture also protects biodiversity and ensures the long-term health of ecosystems. Additionally, sustainable agriculture addresses issues such as labor equity and animal welfare, ensuring that farming systems not only serve environmental goals but also increase social stability for future generations.”
Example Summaries for Different PTE Scoring Bands
Band 79+ (High Score):
By reducing the use of non-renewable resources, implementing organic farming, and addressing social equity, sustainable agriculture helps protect ecosystems and ensures the long-term availability of food for future generations.
Band 65-78 (Mid-High Score):
Sustainable agriculture focuses on reducing resource use, improving biodiversity, and promoting social equity to ensure the future availability of food.
Band 50-64 (Average Score):
Sustainable farming reduces chemicals and works toward environmental and social goals for future generations.
Sustainable practices in agriculture support ecosystems balance
Example Passage 2:
“Sustainable agriculture emphasizes the importance of utilizing renewable resources and protecting the environment while promoting economic profitability. Unlike traditional farming, which heavily relies on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, sustainable agriculture reduces environmental impact and seeks to maintain a balance between economic growth and environmental preservation. By using efficient water management techniques and promoting biodiversity, sustainable farming not only provides food for present generations but also ensures food security and natural resource conservation for future generations.”
Example Summaries for Different PTE Scoring Bands
Band 79+ (High Score):
Sustainable agriculture balances economic growth and environmental protection by using renewable resources, minimizing chemical inputs, and ensuring food security and resource conservation for future generations.
Band 65-78 (Mid-High Score):
Sustainable farming reduces environmental damage, promotes economic profitability, and conserves resources for future generations.
Band 50-64 (Average Score):
Sustainable agriculture protects nature and provides economic benefits, reducing the use of chemicals.
Sustainable agriculture approach to economic and environmental balance
Analysis of the Responses
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Content: High-scoring summaries (Band 79+) convey most of the core ideas in a clear, complete manner. A balance of environmental, social, and economic aspects should be clearly summarized. Mid-range responses may capture some important points but miss key details such as social equity or long-term food security.
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Form: The summary must be in one complete sentence.
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Grammar: Higher scores reflect perfect grammatical structure, concise sentence formation, and appropriate punctuation. Lower-band responses often have incorrect grammar or sentence structure issues.
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Vocabulary: High-scoring responses use appropriate academic vocabulary, while lower-scoring responses may oversimplify the topic or miss out on key terminologies related to sustainable agriculture.
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Spelling: It is vital that your summaries do not contain any spelling errors, as spelling is a significant component of the scoring. High-band responses will have accurate spelling, whereas lower-band summaries may feature errors.
Vocabulary and Grammar for the Topic of Sustainable Agriculture
Here are some advanced vocabulary words that might appear in passages related to sustainable agriculture. Understanding these terms can help you perform better in Summarize Written Text tasks.
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Biodiversity /ˌbaɪ.oʊ.dɪˈvɜːrsɪti/ (n.): The variety of plant and animal life in a particular habitat.
- Example: Sustainable agriculture practices help to protect biodiversity and natural ecosystems.
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Ecosystem /ˈiː.kəʊˌsɪs.təm/ (n.): A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
- Example: The health of ecosystems is crucial for long-term agricultural productivity.
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Sustainability /səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ (n.): The ability to maintain or support a process continuously over time.
- Example: Farming methods must prioritize sustainability to ensure resource availability for future generations.
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Conservation /ˌkɒn.səˈveɪ.ʃən/ (n.): The protection of natural resources to prevent exploitation.
- Example: Water conservation is essential in sustainable agriculture to preserve critical resources.
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Organic farming /ɔːˈɡæn.ɪk ˈfɑːrmɪŋ/ (n.): Farming without the use of synthetic chemicals.
- Example: Organic farming is a key practice to reduce pollution and enhance soil quality.
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Chemical fertilizers /ˈkemɪkəl ˈfɜːrtɪlaɪzərz/ (n.): Artificial substances used to improve soil fertility.
- Example: Overuse of chemical fertilizers can degrade the soil and lead to pollution.
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Non-renewable resources /nɒn rɪˈnjuːəbl rɪˈsɔːrsɪz/ (n.): Resources that cannot be replenished in a short period.
- Example: Sustainable agriculture minimizes reliance on non-renewable resources like fossil fuels.
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Food security /ˈfuːd sɪˈkjʊrɪti/ (n.): Reliable access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food.
- Example: Sustainable agriculture promotes food security for future generations.
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Precision farming /prɪˈsɪʒ.ən ˈfɑːrmɪŋ/ (n.): A farming strategy that uses technology to improve crop yields and reduce waste.
- Example: Precision farming allows for more efficient use of water and resources.
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Labor equity /ˈleɪbər ˈekwɪti/ (n.): Fair treatment and compensation for workers in the farming industry.
- Example: Sustainable farming practices emphasize labor equity to ensure fair working conditions.
Water conservation practices in sustainable farming
Conclusion
The Summarize Written Text task in PTE evaluates your ability to condense complex, multi-faceted information into a single, precise sentence. The topic of sustainable agriculture for future generations is both relevant and likely to appear in your PTE exam because of the global emphasis on environmental preservation and food security. Practice with topics like this to improve your performance and better understand the elements of content, grammar, and vocabulary.
For further insight into related global issues, such as water conservation, check out our detailed analysis of the Global water crisis and conservation efforts, which can supplement your understanding of sustainability principles.
