The “Summarize Written Text” task is a crucial component of the Speaking and Writing section in the PTE (Pearson Test of English). It measures your ability to understand, condense, and summarize a written text in a clear and concise manner. One popular topic that appears in the PTE is based on sustainable tourism practices and their impacts on the local economy, an area of growing global significance.
Below, we will explore several sample Summarize Written Text questions focusing on this topic, complete with answers rated at different band scores. Each response is analyzed to guide your writing practice for the best results.
Sample Summarize Written Text Questions
The task requires you to write a one-sentence summary in 75 words or less. Make sure to summarize the main points of the text clearly while maintaining grammatical accuracy.
Sample Question 1: Sustainable Tourism and Local Economy
Tourism is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing industries, but it often has negative effects on local communities, including environmental degradation and exploitation of resources. Sustainable tourism practices seek to minimize such impacts by emphasizing eco-friendly policies, conservation efforts, and support for local businesses. Initiatives such as promoting locally-owned accommodations, encouraging public transportation, and protecting natural and cultural heritage sites aim to ensure that tourism contributes positively to the local economy and environment.
Summarize the main points of the text in one sentence.
Example Responses and Analysis
Band Score 90
The text outlines how sustainable tourism practices seek to minimize the negative impacts of tourism by promoting eco-friendly policies focused on conservation efforts, support for local businesses, and protection of the environment and cultural heritage.
- Content: The summary captures all main ideas: both the negative impacts and the proposed sustainable solutions.
- Form: The sentence is within 75 words, which is the expected format.
- Grammar: Accurate and advanced use of relative clauses.
- Vocabulary: Words such as “eco-friendly,” “conservation,” and “heritage” reflect a high level of vocabulary related to the topic.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band Score 80
Sustainable tourism practices aim to reduce the environmental and social impacts of tourism by supporting local businesses, promoting eco-friendly transportation, and safeguarding natural and cultural heritage.
- Content: Most main ideas are included, except for a detailed mention of how tourism negatively impacts local economies.
- Form: The one-sentence summary is under 75 words.
- Grammar: Effective clause structure but slightly more basic compared to the Band 90 response.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate but less varied than the Band 90 answer.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band Score 70
Sustainable tourism practices try to protect local economies and the environment by encouraging public transport and supporting local businesses.
- Content: It includes some main points but omits significant information about environmental degradation and cultural heritage.
- Form: Well within the word limit, but overly simplified.
- Grammar: Few grammatical structures limit the complexity of the sentence.
- Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary; phrases such as “try to protect” could be more academic.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band Score 60
Tourism hurts the local economy, but sustainable tourism benefits it by helping businesses and promoting green initiatives.
- Content: Overly simplified and missing key details about specific sustainable practices and conservation efforts.
- Form: The sentence could be clearer and slightly exceeds the word limit.
- Grammar: Basic structures, and the relation between ideas could be more precise.
- Vocabulary: Relatively simple, and lacks any specific terminology.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Sample Question 2: Eco-Tourism’s Role in Strengthening the Local Economy
Eco-tourism is increasingly recognized for its role in strengthening local economies and preserving the environment. By promoting conservation and minimizing resource exploitation, it encourages visitors to engage with traditional cultures, helping to generate income for small, locally-owned businesses. Indigenous communities also benefit greatly, as eco-tourism provides them with a platform to share their knowledge and contribute to their own sustainable development.
Summarize the main points of the text in one sentence.
Example Responses and Analysis
Band Score 90
Eco-tourism not only aids local economies by promoting small local businesses and indigenous communities but also helps preserve the environment through conservation efforts and reduced resource exploitation.
- Content: Captures all primary elements, including eco-tourism’s economic, cultural, and environmental benefits.
- Form: Follows the one-sentence format perfectly within the word limit.
- Grammar: Grammatically complex yet precise, with effective use of conjunctions.
- Vocabulary: Includes diverse and topic-relevant vocabulary such as “indigenous,” “conservation,” and “resource exploitation.”
- Spelling: No spelling issues.
Band Score 80
Eco-tourism plays an important role in preserving the environment and supporting local economies by helping small businesses and indigenous communities.
- Content: Strong coverage of the main ideas but lacks specific mention of reduced resource exploitation.
- Form: The sentence fits the word limit efficiently.
- Grammar: Competent use of coordination between clauses.
- Vocabulary: Less varied but still appropriate to the topic.
- Spelling: No spelling mistakes.
Band Score 70
Eco-tourism helps local communities by promoting small businesses and traditional cultures, while also encouraging environmental conservation.
- Content: Misses some key aspects, such as indigenous communities and resource exploitation.
- Form: The summary is concise and stays within the 75-word limit.
- Grammar: The sentence structure is correct, but more details could enhance complexity.
- Vocabulary: Adequate but somewhat basic vocabulary; “helps” could be replaced with something more specific.
- Spelling: No errors.
Vocabulary and Grammar
Here are 10 advanced vocabulary words derived from the sample texts to focus on:
-
Conservation (/ˌkɒnsəˈveɪʃən/): The prevention of wasteful use of resources.
Example: Sustainable tourism promotes the conservation of natural habitats. -
Indigenous (/ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/): Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place.
Example: Indigenous communities are key beneficiaries of eco-tourism.* -
Exploitation (/ˌeksplɔɪˈteɪʃən/): The act of making use of a resource unfairly or unethically.
Example: Tourism often leads to the exploitation of local resources.* -
Minimization (/ˌmɪnɪmaɪˈzeɪʃən/): The action of reducing something to the smallest possible amount.
Example: Sustainable tourism focuses on the minimization of environmental impacts.* -
Heritage (/ˈherɪtɪdʒ/): Valued objects or qualities inherited from past generations, particularly cultural.
Example: Protecting cultural heritage is a key component of sustainable tourism.* -
Degradation (/ˌdeɡrəˈdeɪʃən/): The process of something becoming worse or weaker.
Example: Over-tourism can lead to the degradation of ecosystems.* -
Sustainable (/səˈsteɪnəbl/): Able to be maintained or kept going at a certain rate.
Example: Sustainable tourism aims to benefit local communities while preserving natural resources.* -
Contribute (/kənˈtrɪbjuːt/): To help achieve or provide something.
Example: Eco-tourism contributes to the financial stability of small businesses.* -
Eco-friendly (/ˌiːkoʊˈfrɛndli/): Not harmful to the environment.
Example: Eco-friendly accommodations are a key aspect of sustainable tourism.* -
Revenue (/ˈrɛvəˌnuː/): The total amount of income generated by the sale of goods or services.
Example: Tourism can generate significant revenue for local economies.*
Conclusion
Summarizing written texts in the PTE exam, using themes like sustainable tourism and local economies, gives test takers an opportunity to showcase their comprehension, grammar, and writing skills. By practicing with sample questions and studying vocabulary related to sustainability, candidates can enhance their chances of scoring higher in the exam. Do share your practice summaries in the comments section!
