The PTE Speaking & Writing test includes several challenging sections, and Summarize Written Text is one that requires both comprehension and writing skills to concisely capture the essence of a passage within 1 sentence. One popular topic appearing in recent examinations is Sustainable Tourism and Cultural Preservation. Let’s explore a detailed explanation of the Summarize Written Text task, along with a sample prompt and several model answers. These examples will help you understand how to tackle this task in the actual PTE exam effectively.
Summarize Written Text in the PTE Exam Speaking & Writing Task
The Summarize Written Text component tests candidates on their ability to read a passage and then summarize its key information into a single sentence. The sentence should be between 5 and 75 words long, covering all the main ideas clearly and concisely. A frequent theme that appears in this section revolves around Sustainable tourism and how it serves as a means for cultural preservation.
By mastering this skill, you’ll not only increase your chances of doing well in the PTE Exam, but also improve your general academic writing abilities. Also, learning about sustainable practices in tourism can enrich our awareness of its potential in safeguarding cultures, something frequently discussed in real-life scenarios such as Eco-tourism and its challenges.
Sample Task for Summarize Written Text: Sustainable Tourism in Cultural Preservation
Below is an example of a Summarize Written Text task based on the topic of Sustainable Tourism In Cultural Preservation. Pay close attention to both the content and structure of the passage. Afterward, there are model answers provided, each rated according to the PTE scoring criteria.
Summarize the text:
Tourism, when practiced sustainably, provides a key income stream for local communities, while simultaneously promoting the preservation of heritage and culture. However, unplanned tourism can lead to cultural exploitation and damage to fragile historical sites. By implementing responsible tourism practices, such as visitor management systems and locally-run tours, communities ensure economic gains without compromising their traditions or damaging heritage landmarks. Sustainable tourism thus offers a balanced approach that supports cultural preservation and economic development while minimizing harm.
Your task: Summarize the key points in one sentence. Your response should include the main idea of the passage in one sentence (between 5 and 75 words).
Model Answers & Band Evaluation
Band 4-5 (High Score Range):
By embracing responsible tourism practices, local communities can enhance economic development while preserving their cultural heritage, although unchecked tourism poses a threat to fragile historical sites.
Analysis
Content: Covers all the key points — economic development, cultural preservation, and the threat posed by uncontrolled tourism.
Form: One sentence fitting the word limit.
Grammar: Error-free, natural sentence structure.
Vocabulary: “Unchecked,” “poses a threat,” and “fragile” are well-chosen, academic vocabulary.
Spelling: Correct spelling throughout.
Band 3-4 (Mid Score Range):
Sustainable tourism helps local communities economically while protecting culture; however, improper tourism can damage historical places.
Analysis
Content: Includes most of the essential points, although more detail could be included about “implementing responsible tourism practices.”
Form: Fulfills the one-sentence requirement.
Grammar: Minor issues — the phrase “improper tourism” could be more academically worded as “unplanned or reckless tourism.”
Vocabulary: Adequate but not as varied as the higher-scoring response.
Spelling: Correct spelling.
Band 2-3 (Low Score Range):
Tourism is good for locals but bad for historical places.
Analysis
Content: Major details are missing, such as how sustainability can positively impact both the community and cultural preservation.
Form: Less than the minimum recommended word limit.
Grammar: Overly simplistic sentence construction.
Vocabulary: Basic, non-academic words, lacking specificity.
Spelling: No spelling issues, but the quality of the content is weak.
Vocabulary and Grammar for Summarize Written Text
Here’s a list of useful vocabulary from the passage to help strengthen your understanding and writing when tackling similar topics in the longer term. These words can also enhance your overall performance in the PTE Speaking & Writing sections:
-
Sustainable (/səˈsteɪnəbl/) – Able to be maintained at a certain level without depleting resources.
Example: Sustainable energy sources are crucial for the future. -
Heritage (/ˈhɛrɪtɪdʒ/) – Traditions, monuments, objects, and culture handed down from previous generations.
Example: The city preserved its architectural heritage through diligent tourism policies. -
Cultural exploitation (/ˈkʌltʃərəl ɪkˌsplɔɪˈteɪʃən/) – The misuse of culture or traditions for profit.
Example: The commercialization of tribal dances is often viewed as cultural exploitation. -
Fragile (/ˈfrædʒ.əl/) – Easily broken or damaged.
Example: Ancient pottery in museums is extremely fragile. -
Visitor management systems (/ˈvɪzɪtər ˈmænɪdʒmənt ˈsɪstəmz/) – Frameworks designed to regulate the flow of tourists.
Example: National parks use visitor management systems to protect fragile ecosystems. -
Economic gains (/ˌiːkəˈnɒmɪk/ /geɪnz/) – Increases in wealth and revenue, often for local communities.
Example: Tourism can result in significant economic gains for smaller towns. -
Locally-run tours (/ləkəli rʌn tʊərz/) – Travel experiences operated by individuals from the local community.
Example: Locally-run tours prioritize the preservation of community customs. -
Responsible tourism (/rɪˈspɒnsəbl ˈtʊərɪzəm/) – A sustainable tourism approach that minimizes negative impacts on the environment and culture.
Example: Responsible tourism advocates for mindful interactions with local traditions. -
Preservation (/ˌprɛzərˈveɪʃən/) – The action of maintaining and protecting something from decay or destruction.
Example: The focus of the project is the preservation of historical buildings. -
Unchecked (/ʌnˈtʃɛkt/) – Not controlled or restrained.
Example: Unchecked growth of mass tourism often leads to environmental degradation.
Conclusion
Sustainable tourism is a critical subject in the modern context, often appearing in the Summarize Written Text section of the PTE test due to its global relevance to both cultural preservation and the tourism industry. By practicing the tasks we’ve shared, candidates will not only sharpen their summarization skills but also gain greater insight into the relationship between environment-conscious travel and safeguarding cultural heritage. For further insights into related topics, you can also read Eco-tourism and its challenges.
Keep practicing with similar prompts to improve, and don’t hesitate to share your practice results in the comments section!
