Sample Question: The Future of Renewable Energy Grids
The transition to renewable energy sources is rapidly reshaping the global energy landscape. As countries strive to reduce their carbon footprint and combat climate change, the integration of renewable energy into existing power grids has become a top priority. However, this integration presents numerous challenges due to the intermittent nature of renewable sources like solar and wind power. To address these issues, smart grid technologies are being developed and implemented worldwide. These advanced systems use digital communication technology to detect and react to local changes in usage, enabling a more efficient and reliable distribution of electricity. Additionally, energy storage solutions, such as large-scale batteries and pumped hydro storage, are being explored to balance supply and demand fluctuations. The future of renewable energy grids lies in the successful combination of these technologies, creating a flexible and resilient power infrastructure capable of supporting a sustainable energy future.
Write a summary for the text above using one sentence in not more than 75 words. Write your response in the box below. You have 10 minutes to finish this task.
Sample Answers and Analysis
Band 9 Answer:
The integration of renewable energy into power grids faces challenges due to intermittency, but the development of smart grid technologies and energy storage solutions promises to create a flexible and resilient infrastructure that can efficiently distribute electricity and support a sustainable energy future.
Content: The response effectively captures the main ideas of the passage, including the challenges of renewable energy integration, the role of smart grids, and the importance of energy storage solutions.
Form: The summary is concise and within the 75-word limit.
Grammar: The sentence structure is complex but clear, using appropriate conjunctions and clauses.
Vocabulary: Key terms from the original text are accurately used, demonstrating a high level of comprehension.
Spelling: No spelling errors are present.
Band 8 Answer:
As renewable energy sources become more prevalent, power grids face integration challenges due to intermittency, which are being addressed through smart grid technologies and energy storage solutions to create a more efficient and sustainable energy infrastructure.
Content: The main points are covered, though with slightly less detail than the Band 9 response.
Form: The summary adheres to the one-sentence, 75-word limit.
Grammar: The sentence structure is correct, using appropriate subordinate clauses.
Vocabulary: Relevant terminology is used accurately.
Spelling: All words are spelled correctly.
Band 7 Answer:
The future of renewable energy grids involves overcoming challenges of integrating intermittent sources by using smart grid technologies and energy storage, aiming to create an efficient and sustainable power system.
Content: The key ideas are present but somewhat simplified.
Form: The response is within the word limit and uses one sentence.
Grammar: The sentence structure is correct but less complex than higher band responses.
Vocabulary: Appropriate vocabulary is used, though less varied than in higher band answers.
Spelling: No spelling errors are evident.
Renewable energy grids and reliability is a critical aspect of this topic that candidates should be familiar with. Understanding the challenges and solutions in maintaining grid stability while integrating renewable sources can greatly enhance your ability to summarize such texts effectively.
Key Vocabulary
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Intermittent /ɪntərˈmɪtənt/ (adj): Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.
Example: Solar power is intermittent because it depends on sunlight availability. -
Integration /ˌɪntɪˈɡreɪʃn/ (n): The act of combining or adding parts to make a unified whole.
Example: The integration of wind farms into the existing power grid requires careful planning. -
Resilient /rɪˈzɪliənt/ (adj): Able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.
Example: A resilient energy system can quickly recover from disruptions. -
Fluctuations /ˌflʌktʃuˈeɪʃənz/ (n): Irregular rising and falling in number or amount.
Example: Energy storage helps balance supply and demand fluctuations in the grid. -
Infrastructure /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃər/ (n): The basic physical and organizational structures needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
Example: Upgrading our energy infrastructure is crucial for adopting more renewable sources.
The future of renewable energy integration depends heavily on advancements in these areas. Familiarizing yourself with these terms will help you better understand and summarize complex texts on this topic.
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Carbon footprint /ˈkɑːrbən ˈfʊtprɪnt/ (n): The amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with all the activities of a person or entity.
Example: Many countries are working to reduce their carbon footprint by transitioning to renewable energy. -
Smart grid /smɑːrt ɡrɪd/ (n): An electricity supply network that uses digital communications technology to detect and react to local changes in usage.
Example: Smart grids can automatically adjust power distribution based on real-time demand. -
Pumped hydro storage /pʌmpt ˈhaɪdrəʊ ˈstɔːrɪdʒ/ (n): A method of storing energy by pumping water uphill to a reservoir when electricity is plentiful and releasing it through turbines when demand increases.
Example: Pumped hydro storage is an effective way to store large amounts of energy for grid stabilization. -
Sustainable /səˈsteɪnəbl/ (adj): Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources or causing ecological damage.
Example: The goal is to create a sustainable energy system that can meet our needs indefinitely. -
Renewable /rɪˈnjuːəbl/ (adj): (of a natural resource or source of energy) not depleted when used.
Example: Solar and wind are examples of renewable energy sources.
Understanding renewable energy grids and challenges is crucial for mastering this topic in the PTE exam. These vocabulary items will help you articulate complex ideas more effectively in your summaries.
Conclusion
The sample Summarize Written Text question on the future of renewable energy grids demonstrates the complexity and importance of this topic in the PTE Academic test. By understanding the key concepts, such as the challenges of integrating renewable sources, the role of smart grid technologies, and the importance of energy storage solutions, you’ll be better prepared to tackle similar questions in your exam.
Remember, the key to success in this task is to identify the main ideas and express them concisely while maintaining grammatical accuracy and using appropriate vocabulary. Practice with various texts on renewable energy innovations and developments to improve your summarizing skills and expand your knowledge on this critical subject.
We encourage you to practice more with similar texts and share your summaries in the comments section below. This will not only help you improve but also contribute to a community of learners preparing for the PTE Academic test.
