A Comprehensive Guide to Summarize Written Text in the PTE Academic Test
The Summarize Written Text is the first task in the writing section of the PTE Academic test. Students are presented with 1 to 3 passages that they need to summarize concisely. Many students find this challenging due to the time constraints, as it requires summarizing long passages into a single sentence. However, with the right approach and consistent practice, anyone can achieve high scores in this section of the PTE exam. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to effectively summarize written text in the PTE Academic test to earn maximum points.
1. What is PTE Summarize Written Text?
As the name implies, the PTE Summarize Written Text task requires you to summarize a paragraph into a concise summary. You will be given a passage of 150-200 words that you must read, analyze, and then summarize in one sentence of 5-75 words. To score well, you must complete this task within 10 minutes.
2. Scoring Pattern
To score well in this section, understanding the scoring pattern is crucial. Here is the scoring pattern that you need to keep in mind while summarizing content:
1. Content:
2 points: Well-structured summary including all significant points.
1 point: Clear and concise summary with important points covered.
0 points: Poor summary with few important points included.
2. Vocabulary:
2 points: Words are used appropriately and explain the main context of the text.
1 point: Words are not used correctly but the content is still understandable.
0 points: Words are used inappropriately and the content is not understandable.
3. Form:
1 point: Content is written in a single complete sentence.
0 points: Content is written in multiple sentences or not within the appropriate word limit.
4. Grammar:
2 points: Content is grammatically correct and includes all required grammatical elements.
1 point: Content has a reasonable grammatical structure but is not perfect.
0 points: Content is poorly structured grammatically, making it difficult to comprehend.
3. Practice with the Scoring Guidelines
To summarize written text effectively, it is essential to focus on the scoring guidelines. Keeping these guidelines in mind will help you practice and score well:
Use familiar words that you know how to use correctly to guarantee 2 points for vocabulary.
Always write in a single sentence to secure 1 point for form.
Summarize the main points of the content provided to earn at least 2 points for content.
Grammar can be challenging, so ensure your summary has proper grammar to earn at least 1 point.
4. General Grammar Guidelines
Always pay attention to punctuation.
Use commas where necessary.
Write in the third person.
Capitalize the first word of a sentence and all proper nouns.
5. Do’s and Don’ts for Summarize Written Text
Do keep an eye on the timer. It turns red when you have less than five minutes remaining.
Do copy your text before making major changes to save time if you need to revert.
Do use any remaining time to check your grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Do write shorter sentences (35-45 words) to avoid grammatical errors.
Do capitalize the first word and nouns (names).
Do write in the third person, avoiding "I," "we," or "you."
Do write bullet points for each paragraph and summarize them into a single sentence.
Do focus on the conclusion of the content to capture its essence.
Do use only full stops/periods at the end of a sentence.
Do check grammar immediately after writing to avoid mistakes.
Do create a gist for each paragraph to help formulate a single sentence summary.
Do not include unnecessary reasons or examples.
Do not write any information that isn't in the text.
Do not repeat the same words from the text; use synonyms where possible.
Do not use more than one period (.) in your summary.
6. Additional Tips
Practice typing to increase your speed and accuracy during the exam.
Use reliable sources like books, magazines, or newspapers to practice summarizing content.
Avoid irrelevant information and focus on summarizing the core ideas.
Remember, a well-structured summary reflects your understanding of the English language and will help you achieve a higher score.