The Summarize Written Text task on the PTE Academic exam can be tricky, but with the right approach, it is easier to attempt. This question type is of 7 marks.
Task Overview
In the Summarize Written Text task, you are given a reading passage, and you have to write the content into a single, comprehensive sentence. You have 10 minutes to write your response, and your answer must meet several important criteria, such as being grammatically correct, relevant, and concise. This task not only assesses your writing ability but also asses your reading ability.
| Prompth Length | Skills Assessed | Time To Answer |
| Text up to 300 words | Reading & Writing | 10 minutes |
Total Marks: 7
Scoring Criteria:
Form:
- 1: Written as one complete sentence.
- 0: Not one sentence, or has fewer than 5 or more than 75 words, or is written in all capital letters.
Content:
- 2: Gives a good summary, covering all important points.
- 1: Gives a fair summary but misses one or two important points.
- 0: Leaves out or gets the main points wrong.
Grammar:
- 2: Uses correct grammar.
- 1: Has some grammar mistakes, but they don’t make it hard to understand.
- 0: Has poor grammar structure which is difficult to understand.
Vocabulary:
- 2: Uses the right words.
- 1: Uses some wrong words, but it doesn’t make it hard to understand.
- 0: Uses the wrong words in a way that makes it diffucult to understand.
1. Understand the Key Information
You should focus on identifying the central idea of the text. Before you start writing, take a moment for the following:
- Identify the central idea: You should focus on identifying the central ideas of the passage.
- Note supporting points: You should also find supporting details that align with the main topic.
Tip: If the passage is long, quickly skim it to find the main idea and pick out the most important supporting details. Don’t focus on minor details.
2. Focus on Presenting Information
Once you understand the key points, it’s time to present the information in a single sentence. Don’t focus on explaining every detail. However, you should mention the main supporting details. Here’s how to do it:
- Use synonyms: If possible, use synonyms to shorten phrases. For example, instead of writing “The major factor contributing to the growth of the economy is…” you can simplify it to “The main factor driving economic growth is…”.
- Avoid unnecessary words: Only include what is essential. Eliminate redundant phrases, and don’t add new information.
Tip: Your sentence should be easy to understand, whether it is written in simple language.
3. Pay Attention to Grammar and Structure
Grammar and accurate sentence structure play an important role in scoring. To ensure that your summary meets the grammatical criteria:
- Write a complete sentence: This means your sentence must have a subject and a verb, with no fragments or run-on sentences.
- Maintain proper sentence structure: Use appropriate punctuation, such as periods, commas and conjunctions like, and, but to make your sentence flow naturally.
Tip: If you are unsure about grammar, write a simple sentence structure that you know is correct. A complex sentence is fine, but ensure it’s clear and easy to follow.
4. Use Appropriate Vocabulary
Test takers should have the right use of vocabulary to explain their content. In the Summarize Written Text task, your choice of words should reflect the content accurately,
and you should avoid the following:
- Using vague or unrelated terms: Stick to the vocabulary directly related to the passage.
- Over-complicating the language: Use academic or formal language, but keep it simple and to the point.
Tip: If the passage uses specific terminology, consider using it in your summary.
5. Review and Edit
After writing your summary, always take a moment to review your response:
- Check the word count: Make sure your summary is between 5 and 75 words. Your response must be within the mentioned word limit. Otherwise, it will lower your score.
- Ensure clarity and conciseness: Read your sentence again to confirm it’s clear and conveys the essential points.
- Check grammar and spelling: Even small grammatical errors can affect your score, so ensure your sentence is flawless.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some common mistakes that can lower your score in this task:
- Exceeding the word limit: If your summary is longer than 75 words, you’ll lose points. You should aim for a concise summary.
- Not addressing the main points: If your summary misses key aspects of the passage, it won’t score well.
- Incorrect grammatical structure: Avoid sentence fragments or overly complex sentences that lead to more grammatical mistakes.
- Using inappropriate or vague vocabulary: Stick to words that are directly relevant to the passage.
Paragraph:
Mining is a critical industry that extracts valuable natural resources from the Earth, such as minerals, metals, and fossil fuels. It plays an essential role in the global economy by providing raw materials for manufacturing, energy production, and technological advancements. However, mining also poses significant environmental challenges, including habitat destruction, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, there has been a growing focus on sustainable mining practices that aim to minimize environmental
impact and ensure the fair treatment of workers. Innovations in technology and stricter regulations are pushing the industry towards more responsible practices. Despite its drawbacks, mining remains fundamental to industrial growth and development, highlighting the need for a balance between economic benefits and environmental responsibility.
Sample Answer:
Mining is an essential industry for global economic development, providing key raw materials, but it also brings environmental challenges like pollution and habitat destruction, which have led to increased efforts toward sustainable practices, technological advancements, and stricter regulations to balance economic growth with environmental responsibility. ( 45 words)
Practice with Sumlingo
Test takers can take a PTE practice test on the sumlingo website and analyze their strengths and weaknesses in the writing sections. This software will also provide a weightage-wise test, which will help learners to get insight about integrated scoring.
