In the PTE Academic exam, the Summarize Written Text (SWT) section is an important component of the Speaking & Writing test. This task requires test-takers to read a passage of approximately 150-400 words and summarize it in one sentence. The aim is to capture the main point of the passage while maintaining grammatical accuracy and correctness. One of the prevalent topics that comes up in this section is The Rise Of Citizen Journalism. Let’s explore some sample tasks related to this topic and provide answers aligned with different performance levels.
What is Citizen Journalism in the PTE Exam?
Citizen journalism refers to the act of individuals reporting and disseminating news, either through text, image, or both, without requiring formal journalism training. With the rise of social media platforms, blogging, and other Internet-based tools, citizen journalism has become a significant global phenomenon. This topic is often used in academic discussions, making it a prominent subject in the Summarize Written Text section of PTE.
Sample Summarize Written Text Tasks
PTE Practice Task #1: The Trend of Citizen Journalism
“In recent years, the popularity of citizen journalism has surged with the advancement of Internet technologies and social media platforms that allow ordinary individuals to share news and information widely. Traditional gatekeepers like news editors and journalists no longer have sole control over the dissemination of news. Individuals now have the power to instantly update others on events happening around them, whether it is through live streaming or social media posts. Although citizen journalism has democratized the sharing of information, there are concerns regarding its credibility, accuracy, and journalistic standards. Critics argue that since citizen journalists are not held to the same editorial standards as formally trained reporters, inaccurate or misleading information can be widely spread, leading to problematic consequences.”
Task instruction: Use one sentence only to summarize the text.
Citizen Journalism Growth and Concerns
Responses and Analysis
Band 90
“Citizen journalism has gained prominence due to its democratization of news dissemination via the Internet, but there are significant concerns about the credibility and standards of the information shared.”
Content: This summary clearly captures both the advantages and disadvantages of citizen journalism.
Form: The answer is correctly written in one sentence.
Grammar/Vocabulary: The vocabulary is advanced, and the grammar is spot on, with no errors.
Spelling: All words correctly spelled.
Band 75
“Citizen journalism is spreading widely because people can easily share news, though its accuracy is questioned.”
Content: It captures the essence of the passage but simplifies the issue by not mentioning “democratization” or “editorial standards”.
Form: Correct sentence structure.
Grammar/Vocabulary: Simple yet effective use of grammar and vocabulary.
Spelling: No spelling mistakes.
Band 65
“Citizen journalism allows people to share news, but there are concerns about accuracy.”
Content: The summary touches on both points but lacks depth and specificity, ignoring the technological context and impacts on traditional media.
Form: Good sentence structure but too simple.
Grammar/Vocabulary: Basic grammar and vocabulary use.
Spelling: Correct.
PTE Practice Task #2: The Role of Citizen Journalists in Modern News Reporting
“Citizen journalists play a critical role in modern news reporting, particularly in facilitating coverage of events that might go unreported by mainstream media, such as civil conflicts, protests, and natural disasters. These individuals often risk their lives to document key moments, providing raw and unfiltered facts to the general public. Examples such as the Arab Spring highlight the importance of citizen journalism in shaping global awareness. However, with the rise of fabricated stories and misinformation, there is growing demand for establishing guidelines to determine the legitimacy of citizen-generated content. Unlike trained journalists who adhere to editorial codes of ethics, citizen journalists lack formal training and access to verification tools, raising questions about the trustworthiness of their information.”
Task instruction: Summarize the text in one sentence.
Role of Citizen Journalists in Events
Responses and Analysis
Band 90
“Citizen journalists provide vital, unfiltered coverage of underreported events, but concerns over misinformation and the lack of editorial standards question the legitimacy of their reports.”
Content: This summary fully encapsulates the main arguments and balances both the benefits and concerns regarding the role of citizen journalists.
Form: Follows the requirement of one sentence.
Grammar/Vocabulary: Sophisticated use of grammar with advanced vocabulary.
Spelling: No mistakes.
Band 75
“Citizen journalists help cover important events, but questions about misinformation and standards persist.”
Content: Adequate summary but omits key examples, such as the Arab Spring, and does not fully address the contrast with trained journalists.
Form: Well-formed, one sentence.
Grammar/Vocabulary: Modest vocabulary and slightly less complex sentence structure.
Spelling: Accurate.
Band 65
“Citizen journalists report on important events, but there are concerns about the truth of their stories.”
Content: This response addresses the core concept but misses out on several essential details, such as the lack of training or ethical guidelines.
Form: Simple and correct usage of one sentence.
Grammar/Vocabulary: Basic vocabulary with minor grammatical simplicity.
Spelling: Correct usage.
Vocabulary and Grammar Focus
Here are some important vocabulary words from the passages and responses:
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Democratization /dɪˌmɒkrətaɪˈzeɪʃən/ (noun) – The process of making something accessible to everyone.
- Example: The democratization of information has been accelerated by the internet.
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Dissemination /dɪˌsɛmɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/ (noun) – The act of spreading something, especially information, widely.
- Example: The dissemination of news through social media has increased drastically.
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Gatekeeper /ˈɡeɪtˌkiːpə(r)/ (noun) – A person or system that controls access to something.
- Example: Journalists used to be the gatekeepers of information.
Vocabulary Study Aid for Dissemination
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Credibility /krɛdəˈbɪlɪti/ (noun) – The quality of being trusted and believed in.
- Example: Citizen journalism often struggles with issues of credibility.
-
Editorial /ˌɛdɪˈtɔːrɪəl/ (adjective) – Relating to the commissioning or preparing of material for publication.
- Example: Formal journalists are bound by strict editorial guidelines.
-
Verification /ˌvɛrɪfɪˈkeɪʃən/ (noun) – The process of establishing the truth, accuracy, or validity of something.
- Example: Journalists use verification tools to confirm the facts of a story.
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Unfiltered /ˌʌnˈfɪltəd/ (adjective) – Presented without censorship or a bias.
- Example: Citizen journalists often give an unfiltered account of events.
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Fabricated /ˈfæbrɪkeɪtɪd/ (adjective) – Made up or constructed, often to deceive.
- Example: Fabricated news stories can spread rapidly on social media.
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Raw /rɔː/ (adjective) – Strong and uncensored, without having gone through a process of refinement.
- Example: The footage of the protest was raw and unedited.
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Legitimacy /ləˈdʒɪtɪməsi/ (noun) – Conformity to the law or to rules.
- Example: There are questions regarding the legitimacy of some online news sources.
Conclusion
In the PTE Academic exam, the Summarize Written Text section poses a unique challenge for candidates because it demands comprehension, precision, and the ability to convey ideas concisely. Topics like The Rise of Citizen Journalism are common as they explore modern societal trends. These tasks encourage you to think critically about the advantages and limitations of emerging trends. Practice regularly using these examples, and feel free to leave a comment if you have questions or need further practice tasks.
