PTE Summarize Written Text
Read a passage of up to 300 words and summarise it in one single sentence of 5–75 words, in 10 minutes.
This task tests reading and writing together. You must find the main idea and the most important supporting points, then join them into one complete, grammatical sentence. Length and form matter: a response outside the word limits is not scored.
How the Task Works
One passage, one sentence, ten minutes.
?The Task at a Glance
- Passage An academic text of up to 300 words.
- Time 10 minutes to read and write.
- Response One full sentence of no more than 75 words. Below 5 or above 75 words, it is not scored.
- Skills Reading and writing: understanding the main idea and expressing it accurately.
A Four-Step Method
Spend most of the time understanding; the sentence comes quickly once you know what to say.
| Step | What to do | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Read | Read the whole passage once for the general idea. | about 2 min |
| 2 Select | Note the main idea and two or three key supporting points, in your own words where possible. | about 2 min |
| 3 Write | Start with the main idea, then add the supporting points with linking words. | about 4 min |
| 4 Check | One full stop only, word count 25–50, grammar, spelling, no new information. | about 2 min |
A target of about 25–50 words leaves room for the key points without making the sentence hard to control.
Joining Ideas in One Sentence
These connectors let you join several points without starting a new sentence.
| Relationship | Connectors |
|---|---|
| Adding | and, as well as, while, not only … but also |
| Contrast | although, whereas, while, but |
| Cause / effect | because, since, which means that, so that |
| Adding detail | which, who, where (relative clauses); a semicolon between two closely related clauses |
Pattern: Although [contrast point], [main idea], because [reason], which [result].
Practice: Two Passages
Press "Start 10:00", read the passage and write your one-sentence summary.
Passage 1: Sleep and Memory
For a long time, sleep was seen simply as a period of rest in which the brain switched off. Research over the last few decades has changed that view. During sleep, the brain remains highly active, and much of this activity appears to support learning.
One important process is memory consolidation. Information we take in during the day is first stored in a fragile form. While we sleep, the brain replays some of these experiences and strengthens the connections between nerve cells, making the memories more stable and easier to recall later. Studies in which participants learn a task and are then tested after either a night of sleep or a period of wakefulness have repeatedly found better performance after sleep.
The consequences for students are significant. Staying up all night before an exam may give a few extra hours of study, but it can reduce the brain's ability to store what has been learned. Regular sleep patterns throughout a course, rather than catching up at weekends, seem to offer the greatest benefit.
Sleep is not a cure for poor preparation, of course. However, the evidence suggests that it is an active part of the learning process, not simply a break from it.
Check your summary
Show a model summary
Although sleep was once regarded as simple rest, research shows that it is an active part of learning, because the brain strengthens and stabilises the day's memories during sleep, which means students benefit more from regular sleep than from staying up all night before exams.
45 words, one sentence: main idea, reason and consequence, joined with "although", "because" and "which means".
Passage 2: The Return of the Night Train
Overnight trains were once a common way to travel across Europe, but from the 1990s onwards many routes were closed. Cheap flights were faster and often less expensive, and railway companies found sleeper services costly to run, since each passenger needs far more space than on a daytime train.
In recent years, however, night trains have started to return. Growing concern about the climate impact of short-haul flights has encouraged some travellers to look for alternatives, and a train journey usually produces far lower emissions per passenger. Several railway operators have reopened routes between major cities, and some governments have offered financial support.
Supporters point out that a night train can be time-efficient as well: passengers sleep during the journey and arrive in a city centre in the morning, avoiding the time spent travelling to and from airports.
Significant challenges remain. Ticket prices are often higher than those for budget flights, rolling stock is expensive to buy, and operators must deal with different rules and track charges in each country. Whether the revival lasts will depend on whether these costs can be reduced.
Check your summary
Show a model summary
After declining because of cheap flights and high operating costs, night trains are returning in Europe as concern about the climate impact of flying grows, although high prices, expensive trains and differing national rules mean that their long-term success depends on reducing costs.
43 words, one sentence: background, main idea with reason, and the remaining challenge.
Common Mistakes
Most lost marks come from form, not content.
!Avoid These
- Two sentences A second full stop breaks the "one sentence" rule. Join ideas with connectors instead.
- Too long Over 75 words and the response is not scored at all.
- Details instead of ideas Examples and numbers usually do not belong in the summary.
- Your opinion Summarise the passage; do not comment on it.
- Run-on sentences A long list of clauses joined only with "and" is hard to follow. Use varied connectors.
One sentence, the whole idea.
Understand first, select the key points, then join them carefully. A clear 40-word sentence beats a crowded 75-word one.
Read. Select. Join. Check.
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