PTE Academic Summarize Written Text: Step-by-Step 80+ Score Tutorial (LingExam | Ultra-Interactive)
Format: You read a passage (~300 words), then summarize it in one sentence (5–75 words). Time: 10 minutes per task.
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How to Answer PTE Academic Summarize Written Text: 12 Crucial Steps
Example Notes & Advanced Tips
Tip 2: “Avoid copying more than 4–5 words in a row from the original passage.”
Example High-Scoring Sentence: “While global warming is accelerating due to increased greenhouse gas emissions, international cooperation and investment in renewable energy are highlighted as essential solutions, which could mitigate catastrophic climate impacts, according to scientists.”
PTE Academic Summarize Written Text
Read the passage below and summarize it in one sentence (between 5 and 75 words).
Your summary must be only one sentence. You have 10 minutes for this task.
Paragraph 1: The global demand for fresh water is rapidly increasing due to population growth, urbanization, and rising agricultural needs. Many regions, especially in developing countries, are facing severe shortages that threaten health and food security.
Paragraph 2: Traditional solutions such as building more dams or extracting groundwater are proving unsustainable, as they often cause environmental harm and deplete natural resources further. Scientists and policymakers now recognize the urgent need for alternative, sustainable water management practices.
Paragraph 3: Innovations such as water recycling, desalination, and efficient irrigation techniques offer hope, but require substantial investment and international cooperation. The passage emphasizes that securing a sustainable water future will depend on both technological advances and responsible global policy.
Write your summary below (one sentence, 5–75 words):
Universal PTE Academic Summarize Written Text: One-Sentence Templates
Memorize the blue text, and fill in your information where shown. Tap/click each question type to see the template.
Example start:
“The passage explains that [main point: e.g., global water demand is rising] because [main reason(s)], and highlights that [solution or result].”
Template:
“The passage states that [main fact/event], which is caused by [key reasons], and as a result, [outcome/consequence/solution].”
Example start:
“The author argues that [main argument], supporting this by stating [supporting reasons/examples] and concluding that [final implication].”
Template:
“According to the author, [main claim], because [key supporting evidence], suggesting that [final recommendation or implication].”
Example start:
“The text compares [first idea] with [second idea], noting that [difference/similarity], and concludes that [overall evaluation].”
Template:
“While [first aspect] is characterized by [key point], [second aspect] differs in that [contrast/second key point], leading the author to conclude that [overall result or suggestion].”
Example start:
“The passage describes how [phenomenon or process] occurs, outlining that [main stages/causes], and emphasises that [final implication/importance].”
Template:
“The text explains that [main phenomenon/process] happens because [main causes/stages], highlighting that [main result/significance].”
Band 9+ Model Summary & Step-by-Step Explanations
Click/tap each segment to reveal detailed expert explanations for maximum PTE score.
The passage states that global demand for fresh water is rising rapidly, which is caused by population growth, urbanization, and agriculture, and as a result, a sustainable water future depends on investment in new technology and international cooperation.
Band 9+ Model Summary & Step-by-Step Explanations
Full Band 9 Model Summary (Copy-Ready Example for This Task)
20 Crucial Words for PTE Summarize Written Text (This Task)
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: water/food/resource scarcity
Definition: A situation in which something is not easy to find or get.
Example: “Water scarcity affects millions worldwide.” (Meaning: Water is not enough for people’s needs.)
Common synonym: shortage
Common mistakes: Writing “scareness” (incorrect).
Part of speech: noun, verb
Pattern: high/low/increasing demand for
Definition: The need or desire for something by people willing to buy or use it.
Example: “The demand for fresh water is increasing.” (Meaning: More people need water.)
Common synonym: need, requirement
Common mistakes: Confusing with “command.”
Part of speech: adjective
Pattern: sustainable solution/development
Definition: Able to be continued for a long time without causing harm.
Example: “We need sustainable water management.” (Meaning: Methods that do not destroy resources.)
Common synonym: long-lasting, viable
Common mistakes: Using “sustain” (verb) instead.
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: technological/social innovation
Definition: A new idea, method, or device.
Example: “Innovation in water recycling can solve shortages.” (Meaning: New technology helps solve the problem.)
Common synonym: invention, advancement
Common mistakes: Spelling as “innovasion.”
Part of speech: verb
Pattern: deplete resources/energy
Definition: To reduce something in amount or value.
Example: “Extracting too much groundwater depletes reserves.” (Meaning: It uses up the water.)
Common synonym: exhaust, drain
Common mistakes: Using “delete” instead.
Part of speech: verb
Pattern: recycle water/waste/material
Definition: To process and use again.
Example: “Some cities recycle wastewater for drinking.” (Meaning: They clean and use water again.)
Common synonym: reuse
Common mistakes: Confusing with “reuse” (not exactly the same).
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: desalination plant/process
Definition: Removing salt from seawater to make it drinkable.
Example: “Desalination provides fresh water in dry regions.” (Meaning: Making sea water safe to drink.)
Common synonym: water purification
Common mistakes: Using “salination” (opposite meaning).
Part of speech: verb
Pattern: emphasize that/emphasize the importance
Definition: To give special importance or attention.
Example: “The passage emphasizes cooperation.” (Meaning: Stresses that it’s important.)
Common synonym: stress, highlight
Common mistakes: Spelling as “emphesize.”
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: international/cooperation with
Definition: The act of working together to achieve something.
Example: “International cooperation is needed for water security.” (Meaning: Countries must work together.)
Common synonym: collaboration
Common mistakes: Using “corporation” (different meaning).
Part of speech: verb
Pattern: threaten health/safety/life
Definition: To put something at risk.
Example: “Shortages threaten food security.” (Meaning: Cause danger to food supply.)
Common synonym: endanger
Common mistakes: Using as a noun (“threat” is the noun).
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: government/environmental policy
Definition: A plan of action agreed by a government, organization, or individual.
Example: “Water policy must focus on sustainability.” (Meaning: The plan must protect resources.)
Common synonym: strategy, plan
Common mistakes: Using for “police” (different word).
Part of speech: verb
Pattern: extract water/minerals/information
Definition: To remove or take out, especially using effort or force.
Example: “Extracting groundwater can cause depletion.” (Meaning: Taking water out reduces supply.)
Common synonym: remove, draw out
Common mistakes: Using as a noun for “extract” meaning a small part of something written.
Part of speech: adjective
Pattern: efficient system/technology/irrigation
Definition: Working well without wasting time, money, or energy.
Example: “Efficient irrigation saves water.” (Meaning: It uses less water for the same effect.)
Common synonym: effective (but not always exactly the same)
Common mistakes: Using “sufficient” (which means enough).
Part of speech: verb, adjective
Pattern: secure a future/secure resources
Definition: To make safe or protect from risk.
Example: “New policies are needed to secure water supplies.” (Meaning: Protect and guarantee future water.)
Common synonym: ensure, safeguard
Common mistakes: Spelling “secur” or confusing with “sure.”
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: effective/innovative solution
Definition: A way of solving a problem.
Example: “Desalination is one solution to water scarcity.” (Meaning: It can help solve the lack of water.)
Common synonym: answer, remedy
Common mistakes: Using “solve” as a noun.
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: water/resource/environmental management
Definition: The control and organization of something.
Example: “Sustainable management is vital for resources.” (Meaning: Careful control is needed.)
Common synonym: administration
Common mistakes: Spelling as “managment.”
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: natural/resource management
Definition: A supply of something valuable, such as water, that a country or person can use.
Example: “Water is the most important resource.” (Meaning: Water is valuable.)
Common synonym: supply, asset
Common mistakes: Using “source” instead.
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: investment in/foreign investment
Definition: Money, effort, or time spent on something to make it successful.
Example: “Investment in new technologies is necessary.” (Meaning: Money and effort must be spent on tech.)
Common synonym: funding
Common mistakes: Using “invest” (verb) instead.
Part of speech: noun
Pattern: dry/remote/urban region
Definition: A particular area or part of the world, country, or city.
Example: “Some regions have more water than others.” (Meaning: Some places have more water.)
Common synonym: area, zone
Common mistakes: Using “religion.”
Part of speech: noun, adjective
Pattern: secure a/safe/uncertain future
Definition: The time after the present; what will happen later.
Example: “We must protect our water for the future.” (Meaning: For coming years.)
Common synonym: coming years, destiny
Common mistakes: Spelling as “futer.”
20 Crucial Phrases & Expressions for PTE Summarize Written Text
Part of speech: preposition phrase
Pattern: due to + noun/gerund
Definition: Because of; shows the cause of something.
Example: “Water scarcity is increasing due to population growth.” (Reason: population growth)
Common synonym: because of
Common mistakes: Using after a verb (“is due to population grows” ❌).
Part of speech: linking phrase
Pattern: , as a result, ...
Definition: So; shows the outcome of a previous statement.
Example: “Traditional solutions are unsustainable; as a result, new strategies are required.”
Common synonym: consequently
Common mistakes: Missing the comma before/after.
Part of speech: verb phrase
Pattern: highlight that + clause
Definition: To emphasize or draw attention to something.
Example: “Experts highlight that cooperation is essential.”
Common synonym: stress, underline
Common mistakes: Using “highlight to” + clause.
Part of speech: verb phrase
Pattern: lead to + noun
Definition: To cause something to happen.
Example: “Mismanagement can lead to resource depletion.”
Common synonym: result in
Common mistakes: Using “lead with” (different meaning).
Part of speech: conjunction
Pattern: noun/verb as well as noun/verb
Definition: In addition to; also.
Example: “Innovation as well as cooperation is needed.”
Common synonym: and
Common mistakes: Verb agreement (“as well as” does not make the subject plural).
Part of speech: verb phrase
Pattern: result in + noun
Definition: To make something happen.
Example: “Water shortages can result in food crises.”
Common synonym: cause, bring about
Common mistakes: “Result to” (incorrect).
Part of speech: phrase
Pattern: such as + noun(s)
Definition: For example.
Example: “Such as dams or desalination.”
Common synonym: for example
Common mistakes: Using “such like” (not standard).
Part of speech: preposition phrase
Pattern: according to + noun/person/source
Definition: As stated by someone or something.
Example: “According to the passage, investment is essential.”
Common synonym: as reported by
Common mistakes: “According with” (incorrect).
Part of speech: linking phrase
Pattern: in order to + verb
Definition: So as to; to do something for a purpose.
Example: “Desalination is used in order to provide fresh water.”
Common synonym: so as to
Common mistakes: “In order for to” (not correct).
Part of speech: conjunction
Pattern: X as well as Y
Definition: And also; in addition to.
Example: “Efficient use as well as recycling is important.”
Common synonym: and
Common mistakes: Wrong verb agreement (“as well as” does not make plural).
Part of speech: clause/phrase
Pattern: it is essential that + clause
Definition: Very important that something happens.
Example: “It is essential that policies focus on sustainability.”
Common synonym: vital, necessary
Common mistakes: “It is essential to that...” (incorrect).
Part of speech: linking phrase
Pattern: , in addition, ...
Definition: Also; furthermore.
Example: “In addition, efficient management is required.”
Common synonym: also
Common mistakes: Using “addition” as a verb.
Part of speech: verb phrase
Pattern: give rise to + noun
Definition: To cause something to happen.
Example: “Population growth gives rise to increased demand.”
Common synonym: cause
Common mistakes: “Give rise for” (incorrect).
Part of speech: clause linker
Pattern: clause, which means that + clause
Definition: Used to clarify or explain.
Example: “Water scarcity is rising, which means that solutions are needed.”
Common synonym: implying
Common mistakes: Using “what means that.”
Part of speech: verb phrase
Pattern: emphasize the importance of + noun/gerund
Definition: Stress how important something is.
Example: “The text emphasizes the importance of innovation.”
Common synonym: highlight
Common mistakes: “Emphasize importance for.”
Part of speech: phrase
Pattern: in order to ensure + noun/that + clause
Definition: So as to guarantee something.
Example: “International cooperation is needed in order to ensure a secure future.”
Common synonym: to make sure
Common mistakes: “For ensure” (incorrect).
Part of speech: prepositional phrase
Pattern: in contrast to + noun
Definition: Compared to something different.
Example: “In contrast to traditional solutions, innovation is required.”
Common synonym: unlike
Common mistakes: “On contrast” (incorrect).
Part of speech: clause linker
Pattern: , such that + clause
Definition: To the degree or in the way that.
Example: “Shortages are such that action is urgent.”
Common synonym: so that
Common mistakes: Using “such as that.”
Part of speech: adverbial phrase
Pattern: in the long run
Definition: Eventually; over a long period.
Example: “Innovation will help in the long run.”
Common synonym: eventually
Common mistakes: “In long run” (missing “the”).
Part of speech: phrase
Pattern: in order for + noun + to + verb
Definition: So that someone/something can do something.
Example: “In order for water to be clean, it must be filtered.”
Common synonym: so that
Common mistakes: “In order to for” (incorrect order).
Practice Exercise 1: Vocabulary & Phrases MCQs
Practice Exercise 2: Advanced Academic Vocabulary & Expressions
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