The Summarize Written Text task in the PTE exam requires test-takers to accurately capture the essence of a written passage in one sentence. This specific theme of Wastewater Treatment And Environmental Health is highly relevant in today’s global context, where both are critical components of sustainable development. If you’re a PTE aspirant, practicing on such topics can help you score well in your exam.
Below, we’ve crafted some sample questions, example answers at different scoring bands, and useful tips to help you understand this particular task better.
Summarize Written Text Question Samples
Sample Question 1
Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence.
Wastewater treatment is a process used to remove contaminants from wastewater or sewage, making it safe for release back into the environment. Proper wastewater management plays a crucial role in protecting environmental health and preventing waterborne diseases. The treatment process typically involves physical, biological, and chemical processes to eliminate harmful substances. Additionally, many environmental regulations worldwide target improving wastewater treatment systems to mitigate the impact on ecosystems and public health. Improperly treated wastewater can lead to contamination of water bodies, causing serious health hazards to communities and wildlife.
Example Answers and Analysis
Band 90+ Answer
Wastewater treatment is essential for maintaining environmental health by removing contaminants from sewage and ensuring water safety, with governments emphasizing regulatory measures and effective management to prevent public health risks.
- Content: Fully captures the key aspects of wastewater treatment, regulation, and its link to public health and ecosystems.
- Form: Correctly summarizes in one sentence.
- Grammar: Excellent grammar usage, complex sentence structure, and no errors.
- Vocabulary: Appropriate and precise use of terms like “regulatory measures,” “contaminants,” and “ecosystems.”
- Spelling: Free of spelling errors.
Band 75-80 Answer
Wastewater treatment removes contaminants from sewage, protecting environmental health and reducing disease risks, with regulations aiming to improve the process.
- Content: Brief but covers the main ideas.
- Form: Summarized in one sentence, although lacks some specificity.
- Grammar: Good grammar; simple sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Satisfactory choice of words; less emphasis on some critical points like “ecosystems” and regulatory aspects.
- Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band 60-70 Answer
Wastewater treatment cleans dirty water and stops diseases from spreading, while governments create rules to improve the process.
- Content: Contains the essential idea but is overly simplified.
- Form: Correct one sentence form.
- Grammar: Somewhat basic grammar with limited phrase variants.
- Vocabulary: Relatively simple; “cleaning dirty water” is too colloquial.
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 50-60 Answer
Wastewater treatment makes water safe and is important for health.
- Content: The idea about regulation and contamination is missing.
- Form: Correct form.
- Grammar: Very basic sentence structure.
- Vocabulary: Very simple and vague terms.
- Spelling: No errors.
Sample Question 2
Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence.
Environmental health is closely tied to effective wastewater treatment systems. Growing urban populations and industrial advancements are placing increasing pressure on wastewater management infrastructures. To prevent hazardous bioaccumulation and ensure long-term environmental sustainability, steps must be taken to upgrade treatment technologies. Many modern technologies focus on removing not only organic pollutants but also microscopic contaminants such as microplastics and pharmaceutical residues. Countries investing in cutting-edge wastewater technologies not only safeguard human health but also mitigate the negative impacts on nearby ecosystems.
Example Answers and Analysis
Band 90+ Answer
Effective wastewater treatment is vital for maintaining environmental health, as newer technologies focusing on removing organic, microscopic, and pharmaceutical pollutants are increasingly necessary due to urbanization and industrialization.
- Content: Fully captures the essence, specifically focusing on advancements in technology and the link to urbanization.
- Form: Correctly adheres to one-sentence format.
- Grammar: Accurate and varied grammatical structures.
- Vocabulary: Well-chosen advanced vocabulary such as “bioaccumulation” and “cutting-edge technologies.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 75-80 Answer
Improved wastewater treatment technology is needed to protect environmental health as cities grow and industries expand, with a focus on removing tough pollutants.
- Content: Covers most of the key points but slightly less specific about pollutant types.
- Form: One sentence.
- Grammar: Mostly accurate but uses simpler structures.
- Vocabulary: Good but lacks detail on “microscopic and pharmaceutical pollutants.”
- Spelling: No errors.
Band 60-70 Answer
Wastewater treatment is important for keeping the environment safe from industrial and urban growth.
- Content: Misses details on technological advancements and the specific pollutants.
- Form: Correct form.
- Grammar: Simple grammar.
- Vocabulary: Too basic.
- Spelling: No issues.
Band 50-60 Answer
Treating waste water is needed to save the environment and stop pollution from growing cities and industries.
- Content: Lacks detail and specificity.
- Form: One-sentence format; however, lacks sophistication.
- Grammar: Correct but very basic.
- Vocabulary: Simple phrases.
- Spelling: No issues.
Vocabulary and Grammar for Wastewater and Environmental Health
Below are some useful words and phrases related to wastewater treatment and environmental health along with their meanings and usage examples:
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Contaminant /kənˈtæm.ɪ.nənt/ – A substance that causes pollution or harm to the environment.
- Example: Removing chemical contaminants from wastewater is the first step in its purification.
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Wastewater /ˈweɪstˌwɔː.tər/ – Water that has been used and contaminated, typically from households or industrial processes.
- Example: Wastewater treatment is essential in populated urban areas.
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Bioaccumulation /ˌbaɪ.oʊˌæk.jəˌmjuː.leɪ.ʃən/ – The gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or chemicals, in an organism.
- Example: Bioaccumulation occurs when contaminants from wastewater remain in ecosystems.
-
Environmental health /ɪnˌvaɪərənˈmentl hɛlθ/ – The branch of public health concerned with how environmental factors affect human health.
- Example: Proper water sanitation is a key aspect of environmental health.
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Microplastics /ˌmaɪ.krəʊˈplæs.tɪks/ – Tiny plastic particles that pollute the environment.
- Example: Wastewater treatment plants are now designed to filter out microplastics.
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Pharmaceutical residues /ˌfɑr.məˈsuː.tɪ.kəl ˈrez.ɪˌdjuːz/ – Traces of drugs and medications present in water after use by people or industries.
- Example: Pharmaceutical residues are a challenge for wastewater treatment facilities.
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Mitigate /ˈmɪt.ɪ.ɡeɪt/ – To make less severe.
- Example: Advanced water treatment technologies are helping to mitigate pollution.
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Urbanization /ˌɜː.bə.naɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/ – The increase of city populations.
- Example: Urbanization has led to more wastewater requiring treatment.
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Ecosystems /ˈiː.kəʊˌsɪs.təmz/ – Systems involving the interaction of living organisms with their environment.
- Example: Polluted water can disrupt natural ecosystems.
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Sewage /ˈsuːɪdʒ/ – Wastewater and waste matter carried away in sewers.
- Example: Sewage systems are integral to public sanitation.
Conclusion
Mastering the Summarize Written Text task in the PTE exam by practicing with topics like wastewater treatment and environmental health will not only help you perform better in this section, but also deepen your understanding of key environmental issues. This type of practice connects both language learning and real-world applications. We recommend consistent practice and asking for feedback. Feel free to comment below if you would like personalized advice!
