PTE Academic Writing Test
Time allowed: Approximately 30 minutes Total tasks: 2
Part 1: Summarize Written Text
Read the passage below and summarize it using one sentence. You have 10 minutes to finish this task. Your response will be judged on the quality of your writing and on how well your response presents the key points in the passage.
Word limit: 5-75 words
Passage 1
Urban green spaces, including parks, gardens, street trees, and green roofs, play a crucial role in creating livable, sustainable cities. Research has consistently demonstrated that access to green spaces provides significant benefits for both individual health and community wellbeing. People living near parks tend to be more physically active, leading to lower rates of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The presence of nature in urban environments has also been linked to improved mental health, with studies showing reduced stress, anxiety, and depression among those with regular access to green spaces.
Beyond individual health benefits, urban green spaces contribute to environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Trees and vegetation help filter air pollutants, reducing the health impacts of poor air quality that disproportionately affect urban populations. They also mitigate urban heat island effects by providing shade and cooling through evapotranspiration, which is becoming increasingly important as cities face rising temperatures due to climate change. Green infrastructure helps manage stormwater runoff, reducing flood risk and preventing water pollution. Additionally, urban green spaces support biodiversity by providing habitat for various species of birds, insects, and other wildlife.
However, the distribution of green spaces in cities is often inequitable. Wealthier neighborhoods typically have more and better-maintained parks, while low-income communities, which often face higher pollution levels and health challenges, have limited access to these resources. This environmental injustice means that those who would benefit most from green spaces often have the least access to them. Addressing this disparity requires intentional urban planning and investment in underserved communities to ensure that all residents can enjoy the benefits of nature in their daily lives.
Your summary (5-75 words, ONE sentence only):
Part 2: Write Essay
You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Your response will be judged on how well you develop a position, organize your ideas, present supporting details, and control the elements of standard written English. You should write 200-300 words.
Essay Topic
Some people think that universities should provide graduates with the knowledge and skills needed in the workplace. Others think that the true function of a university should be to give access to knowledge for its own sake, regardless of whether the course is useful to an employer. What, in your opinion, should be the main function of a university?
Support your point of view with reasons and examples from your own experience or observations.
Your essay (200-300 words):