Summarize Written Text- Writing Section

Summarize written text

You’ll be given a text of about 300 words and you need to summarize it in one sentence of 5-75 words. In this section test takers complete between 1-2 items in total.

Is a task in the writing section of the PTE Academic test where you are presented with a short passage (about 200-300 words), and you are required to write a one-sentence summary of the main points of the passage. The sentence should be between 5 and 75 words. You are given 10 minutes to complete this task.

Here are some tips for tackling this task:

• Understand the prompt: First, make sure you understand the passage. Read it thoroughly and identify the main idea or theme.

• Identify key points: Look for the most important points that support or explain the main idea. These could be arguments, evidence, or examples.

• Be concise: Your summary should be only one sentence, so be as concise as possible. Avoid unnecessary words and phrases.

• Use correct grammar: Your sentence should be grammatically correct. Be careful with your use of punctuation and sentence structure.

• Check your work: Make sure you’ve accurately represented the main ideas of the passage in your summary. Also, check for any spelling or grammar mistakes.

Here’s an example:

Passage: “The increasing industrialization of the last two centuries has led to the proliferation of greenhouse gases and, consequently, an increase in the earth’s average temperature. This phenomenon, known as global warming, has a multitude of effects, including more frequent and intense heatwaves, melting polar ice, rising sea levels, and changing rainfall patterns, which result in floods, droughts, and intensified cyclones. While technology has contributed to the problem, it could also provide the solutions. Renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, are becoming more efficient and affordable, offering hope for the reduction of greenhouse gases.”

Summary Sample: “Industrialization has caused global warming through the emission of greenhouse gases, leading to extreme weather events and rising sea levels, but the advancement in renewable energy technologies offers potential solutions.”

List of Types of Articles

Summarizing written texts effectively for the PTE exam involves understanding a wide range of topics and the structure of different types of articles. By practicing with various articles from reputable sources, you’ll gain exposure to diverse topics, vocabulary, and structures.

Here is a list of types of articles from various domains that you can find and summarize:

1. News Articles:
   • BBC News
   • The New York Times
   • Al Jazeera
   • Reuters
2. Science and Technology:
   • Scientific American
   • Nature Magazine
   • Wired
   • Popular Science
3. History and Culture:
   • National Geographic
   • Smithsonian Magazine
   • History Today
4. Business and Economy:
   • The Economist
   • Forbes
   • Business Insider

To practice summarizing for the PTE, choose an article, read it thoroughly, and then write a one-sentence summary capturing the main idea. Gradually, you can challenge yourself to summarize longer pieces or articles with complex structures. Remember to review vocabulary and concepts you’re unfamiliar with, as this will also help in enhancing your language skills.

After watching the video on the “Summarize Written Text“ section of the PTE, the student will learn: 

1. Understand the objective: The task is to condense a written passage into a one-sentence summary.
2. Apply reading strategies: Read the passage carefully, understand the main idea and supporting details.
3. Develop writing skills: Write a summary that retains the core meaning of the original passage, but is concise and clear.
4. Use proper grammar and vocabulary: Your summary should be grammatically correct and make use of appropriate vocabulary.
5. Work within the limit: The summary should be within the provided word limit, which is typically between 5 and 75 words.
6. Improve time management: Practice summarizing within the given time frame of 10 minutes.
7. Follow the format: The summary should be a single, complete sentence.
8. Revise: Always check your summary for errors or unnecessary information before submitting.

Remember that practice is key in improving your summarizing skills. The more you practice, the better you’ll get at identifying the key points and condensing them into a concise, one-sentence summary.

In conclusion, the “Summarize Written Text” section of the PTE exam is a crucial part that tests reading comprehension and written communication skills. To ace this section, a student must be able to read and understand the main points of a passage, condense that information into a clear, concise single-sentence summary that falls within the specified word count. It requires a good command of English grammar, vocabulary, and sentence construction. Practicing this task regularly can significantly enhance time management skills and improve the ability to express complex ideas succinctly and coherently.

External Resources