Water recycling has become a critical aspect of urban water management, particularly in large cities where fresh water demand is constantly rising. The topic of “Water Recycling Technologies In Cities” frequently appears in the PTE Summarize Written Text as it involves environmental concerns and technological advancements—both relevant themes in today’s context. Understanding how to summarize complex texts concisely is key to excelling in this task. Let’s take a look at several practice questions based on this topic, along with sample answers evaluated across varying band scores.
Practice Summarize Written Text: Water Recycling Technologies in Cities
Summarize the following text in one sentence:
“Population growth, climate change, and increasing consumption of fresh water are placing significant pressure on urban water supplies worldwide. Many cities are turning to water recycling technologies to manage this demand sustainably. Key methods include greywater recycling, which involves treating household wastewater from sinks and showers for non-potable uses like lawn irrigation, and wastewater treatment, where sewage is processed to be safe for human consumption. Emerging technologies such as membrane filtration and reverse osmosis are improving the efficiency of these systems, producing cleaner water at a lower energy cost. By adopting such recycling methods, cities can reduce strain on freshwater sources and improve water security in the face of growing environmental challenges.”
Summarize the text in one sentence:
Sample Answers:
Band 90
“Many cities face water shortages due to population growth and climate change, prompting the use of water recycling technologies such as greywater recycling and advanced membrane filtration to manage demand and reduce pressure on freshwater sources.”
Content: This answer captures all key information from the text, including reasons for water recycling (population growth, climate change), specific technologies (greywater recycling, membrane filtration), and benefits (reduced pressure on freshwater sources).
Form: The sentence is concise, under 75 words as per PTE requirements.
Grammar: The sentence is grammatically correct with appropriate conjunctions linking ideas logically.
Vocabulary: Keywords such as “population growth,” “water recycling technologies,” and “membrane filtration” are used correctly, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the topic.
Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band 79
“Due to population growth and climate change, cities are increasingly adopting water recycling methods like greywater recycling and wastewater treatment, which help reduce reliance on freshwater sources.”
Content: The answer captures the main points but omits “membrane filtration” and some details about the efficiency of emerging technologies, which slightly reduces the content score.
Form: It is within the prescribed word limit and maintains simplicity.
Grammar: Smooth structure with no grammatical errors.
Vocabulary: The vocabulary used is precise and appropriate; however, it could include more technical terms like “reverse osmosis.”
Spelling: No spelling errors.
Band 65
“Water recycling methods such as greywater recycling are becoming more common in cities due to population growth and climate change, helping to reduce freshwater use.”
Content: This response covers the topic of water recycling and mentions key factors like population growth and climate change, but it lacks sufficient detail regarding specific technologies such as membrane filtration and wastewater treatment.
Form: The response is concise but on the lower end for word count, missing some vital information.
Grammar: The sentence is grammatically correct.
Vocabulary: Vocabulary is sufficiently appropriate, but it could benefit from greater variety and precision (e.g., “becoming more common” can be replaced with “increasingly adopted”).
Spelling: No spelling issues.
Band 50
“As cities deal with population growth, they are reusing water to conserve resources and reduce water usage.”
Content: The answer is vague and misses critical points, such as the specific recycling methods and technologies mentioned in the text.
Form: The sentence is grammatically correct but too brief to convey all necessary information.
Grammar: Basic structure without errors, yet lacking complexity.
Vocabulary: The vocabulary is overly simple and does not showcase the content knowledge required for higher bands.
Spelling: No spelling issues.
Top 10 Key Vocabulary and Phrases
1. Greywater /ˈɡreɪˌwɔːtə(r)/
(noun) wastewater generated from domestic activities such as laundry, dishwashing, and bathing.
Example: Some cities are embracing greywater recycling systems to irrigate public parks.
Greywater recycling system used for parks irrigation
2. Membrane Filtration /ˈmem.breɪn fɪlˈtræk.ʃən/
(noun) a water treatment process where water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane to remove contaminants.
Example: Membrane filtration is pivotal in producing potable water from wastewater.
3. Reverse Osmosis /rɪˈvɜːs ɒzˈməʊsɪs/
(noun) a water purification process that uses pressure to force water through a membrane.
Example: Reverse osmosis is highly effective for desalinating water in coastal cities.
Reverse osmosis water desalination in coastal cities
4. Non-potable /nɒnˈpoʊtəbəl/
(adjective) not suitable for drinking.
Example: Non-potable water can still be used for irrigation and toilet flushing.
5. Freshwater Sources /ˈfreʃˌwɔːtə(r) sɔːrsɪz/
(noun) sources of water that are naturally occurring and low in salt content, such as rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
Example: Protecting freshwater sources has become a priority in populous cities.
6. Wastewater Treatment /ˈweɪstˌwɔːtə(r) ˈtriːtmənt/
(noun) the process of cleaning used water from homes, industries, and businesses before releasing it back into the environment.
Example: Wastewater treatment plants help reduce pollution and provide recycled water.
Urban wastewater treatment plant with recycling facilities
7. Potable /ˈpoʊtəbl/
(adjective) safe to drink; drinkable.
Example: Many cities are capable of turning wastewater into potable water.
8. Water Security /ˈwɔːtə(r) sɪˈkjʊərəti/
(noun) the capacity of a population to ensure that it has sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water.
Example: Investing in water recycling technologies is crucial to maintaining water security.
9. Urban Water Management /ˈɜːrbən ˈwɔːtə(r) ˌmænɪdʒmɛnt/
(noun) the strategic planning and control of water supply, usage, and distribution in urban areas.
Example: Effective urban water management systems promote the sustainable use of limited water resources.
10. Environmental Challenges /ɪnˌvaɪərənˈmɛntl ˈʧælɪndʒɪz/
(noun) difficulties posed by environmental factors such as climate change, pollution, and resource scarcity.
Example: Addressing environmental challenges like water scarcity requires innovative solutions such as water recycling.
Urban water recycling infrastructure addressing scarcity
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve explored how the topic of Water Recycling Technologies in Cities fits into the PTE Summarize Written Text section, providing not only sample test questions and answers but also a focus on crucial vocabulary related to the subject. Make sure to practice regularly and expand your vocabulary to improve your performance. For more insights into water conservation, check our guide on the “Global water crisis and conservation efforts.” Keep honing your skills, as precision and clarity are keys to excelling in PTE exams.
