In the PTE (Pearson Test of English) exam, Summarize Written Text tasks in the Speaking & Writing section require you to condense lengthy texts into a single sentence. A frequent and pivotal topic featured in many PTE tests focuses on Urban Housing And Sustainable Development. Below, we present several high-quality practice questions simulating real exam formats, fully optimized to help you grasp the core concepts and strategies.
Sample Question 1: Urban Housing and Affordability
Prompt:
Read the passage below and summarize it using one sentence. Your response should be between 5 to 75 words.
Urban housing affordability has become a critical issue in many cities worldwide due to rapid population growth and limited land resources. This trend has driven property prices up significantly, leading to housing shortages, particularly for low and middle-income groups. Governments and urban planners are promoting sustainable housing solutions such as mixed-income communities and energy-efficient buildings in an effort to address affordability while simultaneously reducing environmental impact.
Band 90+ Answer:
In response to rising property prices and housing shortages caused by urban population growth and limited resources, governments are implementing sustainable housing solutions to increase affordability and reduce environmental impact.
Content: Strong; includes all key details about affordability, urban population growth, and sustainable housing solutions.
Form: Excellent; one sentence that is concise and to the point.
Grammar: Impeccable; no grammatical errors.
Vocabulary: Advanced; uses terms such as “sustainable housing solutions” appropriately.
Spelling: Perfect.
Band 79+ Answer:
Governments have introduced sustainable housing solutions to counter rising property prices and shortages due to urban population growth and resource limitations.
Content: Adequate; covers the key points but lacks some depth.
Form: Correct; maintains the one-sentence structure.
Grammar: Good; minor errors can be overlooked.
Vocabulary: Satisfactory; slightly simpler vocabulary choices than a higher band score.
Spelling: No errors.
Band 65+ Answer:
Cities are failing to provide affordable housing because of increasing populations, but some governments are looking to build sustainable homes.
Content: Somewhat underdeveloped; misses key points such as energy efficiency and specifics of the challenges.
Form: Correct; proper one-sentence response.
Grammar: Good; technically correct but more simplistic.
Vocabulary: Acceptable, albeit basic.
Spelling: Accurate.
Sample Question 2: Sustainable Development and Urbanization
Prompt:
Summarize the provided text clearly and concisely. Your response should consist of only one sentence with a word count between 5 to 75 words.
The rapid rate of urbanization across the globe presents significant challenges for sustainable development. Expanding cities struggle to balance economic growth with environmental conservation and providing essential infrastructure such as transportation, clean water, and energy. Urban planners are now incorporating green spaces, renewable energy sources, and sustainable construction practices to create eco-friendly cities that can support long-term growth.
Band 90+ Answer:
Given the challenges posed by rapid urbanization, planners are creating eco-friendly cities by integrating green spaces, renewable energy, and sustainable infrastructure to support economic and environmental goals.
Content: Comprehensive; covers the themes of urbanization, green spaces, and sustainable practices.
Form: Excellent; concise with a clear flow.
Grammar: Flawless; wide range of sentence structures and punctuation.
Vocabulary: Impressive and topic-specific.
Spelling: Spotless.
Band 79+ Answer:
As cities expand rapidly, planners are turning to green spaces, renewable energy, and sustainable practices to meet both economic and environmental needs.
Content: Strong; includes key points related to urbanization, though some nuances may be missing.
Form: Correct; maintains a concise single sentence.
Grammar: Well-executed; accurate with no major mistakes.
Vocabulary: Good, though slightly less robust than a perfect score.
Spelling: Error-free.
For further study, explore Urbanization’s challenges and solutions as well as Effects of rapid urbanization globally for a deeper understanding of PTE test topics.
Vocabulary and Grammar Spotlight
Urban housing and sustainable development topics often involve complex vocabulary. Here are 10 essential terms:
-
Affordability /əˌfɔːr.dəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/
Definition: The ability of individuals to afford housing without financial strain.
Example: The affordability of housing has decreased in major cities. -
Urbanization /ˌɝː.bən.əˈzeɪ.ʃən/
Definition: The increase in population and expansion of cities.
Example: Urbanization is rapidly transforming traditional rural areas. -
Sustainability /səˌsteɪ.nəˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/
Definition: Practices that meet current needs without compromising future generations’ needs.
Example: Urban planners emphasize sustainability when designing modern cities. -
Infrastructure /ˈɪn.frəˌstrʌk.tʃɚ/
Definition: Basic physical systems such as transportation, communication, sewage, and energy.
Example: Sustainable infrastructure includes energy-efficient buildings and public transport. -
Renewable /rɪˈnjuː.ə.bəl/
Definition: Energy sources that can be replenished naturally.
Example: Cities must adopt renewable energy to achieve sustainability. -
Conservation /ˌkɒn.səˈveɪ.ʃən/
Definition: Protection of natural resources and the environment.
Example: Green buildings often support water conservation initiatives. -
Eco-friendly /ˌiː.kəʊˈfrend.li/
Definition: Not harmful to the environment.
Example: Using eco-friendly materials in construction can reduce environmental impact. -
Mixed-income housing /mɪkst ˈɪŋkʌm ˈhaʊzɪŋ/
Definition: Housing communities that include people from different income levels.
Example: Mixed-income housing is crucial to affordable urban development. -
Green Spaces /ɡriːn speɪsɪz/
Definition: Natural areas in urban settings that provide ecological benefits.
Example: Increasing green spaces in cities improves air quality and livability. -
Energy-efficient /ˈenədʒi ɪˈfɪʃ.ənt/
Definition: Using less energy to provide the same service.
Example: Energy-efficient buildings use technologies to minimize power consumption.
Conclusion
Urban housing and sustainable development are increasingly central topics in Summarize Written Text tasks on the PTE exam. As urban areas grow, understanding how to summarize texts about eco-friendly infrastructure and sustainable design is vital. Consistent practice with tasks such as these can significantly boost your chances of a higher score.
Practice further by exploring Urban development and green spaces and Urbanization and its social challenges.
Ready to test your skills? Leave a comment with your responses to these questions for feedback and additional guidance!
