PTE Summarize Written Text: Tips and Strategies for Success
Are you preparing for the PTE exam and struggling with the Summarize Written Text task? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This task requires you to read a passage and write a summary of it in just one sentence.
It can be challenging to condense the information effectively while maintaining the main idea and key points. In this article, we will provide you with some tips and strategies to help you excel in the Summarize Written Text task and achieve your desired PTE score.
Understanding the Task Requirements
Before diving into the tips and strategies, it’s crucial to understand the task requirements fully. The Summarize Written Text task is a part of the PTE Writing section, which consists of two tasks: Summarize Written Text and Write Essay.
In this task, you will be given a passage of around 300 words and asked to write a one-sentence summary of it in no more than 75 words. Your summary should include the main idea and key points of the passage, and it should be grammatically correct and coherent.
Tips for Effective Summarization
Now that you have a clear understanding of the task requirements let’s dive into some tips and strategies to help you excel in the Summarize Written Text task.
Read the Passage Carefully
The first and most crucial step to effective summarization is reading the passage carefully. Make sure you understand the main idea and key points of the passage before starting to write your summary.
If you don’t comprehend the passage correctly, you may miss essential information and fail to include it in your summary.
Identify the Main Idea and Key Points
Once you have read the passage carefully, identify the main idea and key points. The main idea is the central point of the passage, and the key points are the supporting ideas that contribute to the main idea. Highlight or underline these points to ensure you don’t miss them when writing your summary.
Use Your Own Words
When writing your summary, it’s essential to use your own words instead of copying the passage’s exact phrases or sentences. Paraphrasing the passage’s ideas shows your language proficiency and ability to express ideas in your own words.
Keep It Simple and Concise
Your summary should be simple and concise, conveying the main idea and key points of the passage in one sentence. Avoid using complex words or sentence structures that may confuse the reader or make your summary difficult to understand.
Practice, Practice, Practice
Like any other skill, summarization requires practice to improve. Make sure you practice summarizing different types of passages regularly to become more proficient in this task.
Strategies for Time Management
Time management is essential in the PTE exam, and the Summarize Written Text task is no exception. Here are some strategies to help you manage your time effectively in this task:
Plan Your Time
Before starting to write your summary, plan your time. Allocate around 2-3 minutes for reading and understanding the passage, 1-2 minutes for identifying the main idea and key points, and 2-3 minutes for writing your summary.
Use Short Forms and Abbreviations
To save time, use short forms and abbreviations when writing your summary. For example, instead of writing “in conclusion,” use “in concl.”
Don’t Worry About Grammar and Spelling
While it’s essential to write a grammatically correct and coherent summary, don’t worry too much about grammar and spelling mistakes. The focus should be on conveying the main idea and key points effectively.
Conclusion
The Summarize Written Text task can be challenging, but with practice and the right strategies, you can excel in it and achieve your desired PTE score. Remember to read the passage carefully, identify the main idea and key points, use your own words, keep it simple and concise, and manage your time effectively.
By following these tips and strategies, you can improve your summarization skills and perform well in the Summarize Written Text task.
FAQs
1. How is the Summarize Written Text task scored in the PTE exam?
The Summarize Written Text task is scored based on the content, form, grammar, and vocabulary of your summary.
2. Can I use bullet points or numbers in my summary?
No, you need to write a one-sentence summary that includes the main idea and key points of the passage.
3. How long should my summary be?
Your summary should be no more than 75 words.
4. Do I need to include examples or details in my summary?
It’s not necessary to include examples or details in your summary, but you can do so if they support the main idea and key points.
5. Can I use the same words or phrases from the passage in my summary?
You can use some words or phrases from the passage, but you should paraphrase the ideas in your own words as much as possible.
How you’re scored?
You will be scored on below three parameters.
Content: (capturing)
Length:
Grammar:
Vocabulary:
Points to remember: –
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- Do not include or write your own ideas.
- Do not write the whole phrases, convert into your own words with correct grammar and vocabulary.
- Do not start your sentence “As per the passage/According to the Passage”
- Don’t use incorrect grammar and words which you are not aware of.
- Do not write complicated words with incorrect meaning.
- Summarize the text into a single sentence of around 30 – 40 words.
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