In the PTE Speaking & Writing section, one of the most important tasks is Summarize Written Text. This task tests your ability to condense a paragraph or multiple paragraphs into a single sentence that captures the main idea. One popular and relevant topic is The Role Of Forests In Carbon Sequestration, which could appear in various forms in both speaking and writing sections.
Summary of the Task
In the Summarize Written Text section, candidates are given a passage and need to summarize it into one sentence (5-75 words). The focus is on extracting the key point and communicating it concisely, using proper grammar, form, and vocabulary. Below, we provide example prompts and multiple sample responses for different scoring bands.
Example 1: Summarize Written Text – Prompt on “The Role of Forests in Carbon Sequestration”
Forests play a critical role in carbon sequestration, the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Through photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and convert it into oxygen while storing carbon in their biomass. This ability helps mitigate the impacts of climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. However, deforestation and forest degradation diminish the ability of forests to act as carbon sinks, which could exacerbate global warming trends. Effective forest management, including reforestation and afforestation, is essential for maximizing the carbon-storing capacity of forests.
Task Requirement: Summarize the passage in one sentence (5-75 words).
Band 80 Response (High Score)
Forests are vital in mitigating climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis and storing carbon in their biomass, but deforestation limits this process, making careful forest management crucial to bolster carbon sequestration.
Analysis:
- Content: The summary covers all essential points regarding the role of photosynthesis, the negative effects of deforestation, and the importance of forest management.
- Form: One sentence, within the word limit (35 words).
- Grammar: Free from grammatical errors.
- Vocabulary: Proper use of domain-specific vocabulary such as “carbon sequestration” and “deforestation”.
- Spelling: No spelling errors detected.
Band 65 Response (Mid-Range Score)
Forests help reduce carbon in the atmosphere by absorbing CO2, but deforestation weakens their role, so forests need to be better managed.
Analysis:
- Content: Covers the primary ideas but misses some details such as photosynthesis and the specificity of managing methods (reforestation and afforestation).
- Form: Condensed into a single sentence but could be slightly more comprehensive.
- Grammar: No noticeable errors in grammar.
- Vocabulary: Satisfactory usage of terms like “reducing carbon” but lacks more specific terms such as carbon sinks or greenhouse gases.
- Spelling: Correct spelling throughout.
Band 50 Response (Low Score)
Forests absorb carbon dioxide, but destroying them will make the climate worse.
Analysis:
- Content: Overly simplistic and misses the complexities of forest management and photosynthesis.
- Form: Adheres to the single-sentence requirement but lacks depth.
- Grammar: Grammatically correct.
- Vocabulary: Uses basic vocabulary with terms like “destroying” instead of more appropriate words like “deforestation”.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Example 2: Summarize Written Text – Prompt on “Understanding Carbon Sequestration in Oceans and Forests”
Check out our related guide to environmental issues and their connection to carbon sequestration: Ocean ecosystems and global climate.
Both oceans and forests serve as vital carbon sinks, absorbing significant amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. While forests sequester their carbon in the biomass of trees, oceans store carbon in marine life and sediments. Together, they help regulate the amount of atmospheric carbon, mitigating the effects of climate change. However, human activities such as deforestation and pollution of marine ecosystems threaten the capacity of these natural systems to function as carbon sinks, potentially accelerating global warming.
Task Requirement: Summarize the passage in one sentence (5-75 words).
Band 80 Response (High Score)
Forests and oceans play critical roles in absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide and mitigating climate change, but human activities like deforestation and pollution threaten their ability to function as effective carbon sinks.
Analysis:
- Content: Comprehensive coverage of the importance of both forests and oceans in carbon sequestration and the potential threats caused by human activities.
- Form: Meets the word limit and communicates all key details concisely in one sentence.
- Grammar: Accurate with no issues.
- Vocabulary: Excellent use of terms like “carbon sinks” and “mitigating”.
- Spelling: Correct spelling throughout.
Vocabulary and Grammar Analysis
Here are 10 challenging words or phrases from the prompts that are useful for improving your PTE vocabulary. Each term is accompanied by its meaning, phonetic transcription, and an example sentence.
| Word | Phonetic | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sequestration | [sɪˌkwɛsˈtreɪʃn] | The process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide | The sequestration of carbon in forests is vital for reducing greenhouse gases. |
| Photosynthesis | [ˌfəʊtə(ʊ)ˈsɪnθɪsɪs] | The process by which plants make food from light | Through photosynthesis, trees absorb CO2 and release oxygen. |
| Biomass | [ˈbaɪ.oʊˌmæs] | Organic matter used as a fuel or stored energy | Forests store large amounts of carbon in their biomass. |
| Deforestation | [diːˌfɔːrɪˈsteɪʃn] | The removal of trees from an area | Deforestation significantly reduces the earth’s ability to absorb carbon. |
| Afforestation | [æfˌɔːrɪˈsteɪʃn] | The planting of new forests | Afforestation can significantly increase carbon sequestration. |
| Mitigate | [ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt] | To make less severe | Planting trees is a strategy to mitigate the impact of global warming. |
| Pollution | [pəˈluːʃn] | Contamination of the environment | Pollution decreases the ocean’s ability to function as a carbon sink. |
| Greenhouse gases | [ˈɡriːn.haʊs ˌɡæsɪz] | Gases contributing to the earth’s warming | Carbon dioxide is one of the most prominent greenhouse gases. |
| Carbon sink | [ˈkɑːbən sɪŋk] | Anything that absorbs more carbon than it releases | Forests and oceans are crucial carbon sinks in mitigating climate change. |
| Global warming | [ˌɡləʊbl ˈwɔːmɪŋ] | The gradual increase in the earth’s temperature | Global warming is exacerbated by deforestation and industrial pollution. |
Conclusion
This article has provided you with sample Summarize Written Text questions related to the topic of The Role of Forests in Carbon Sequestration. Summarizing complex materials concisely is a valuable skill that not only gears you toward success in the PTE exam, but also helps improve your English proficiency overall. Practice is key to mastering this task, so don’t hesitate to try more examples and hone your summarization skills. You can also explore related topics like the one covered here Ocean ecosystems and global climate to further enhance your understanding. Good luck!
