PTE Academic Writing Test 4
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
The global food system faces unprecedented challenges as it struggles to feed a growing population while minimizing environmental impact. Agriculture currently accounts for approximately one-quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions, consumes roughly seventy percent of freshwater resources, and is the primary driver of deforestation and biodiversity loss. As the world population approaches ten billion by mid-century, these pressures will only intensify unless fundamental changes are made to how food is produced and consumed.
Sustainable agriculture offers promising solutions to these challenges. Practices such as regenerative farming, precision agriculture, and integrated pest management can reduce environmental impacts while maintaining or even improving yields. Regenerative techniques focus on building soil health through minimal tillage, cover cropping, and crop rotation, which can sequester carbon while enhancing productivity. Precision agriculture uses technology to apply water, fertilizers, and pesticides only where and when needed, reducing waste and pollution. These approaches challenge the assumption that high productivity requires high environmental cost.
Consumer behavior also plays a crucial role in food system sustainability. The production of meat, particularly beef, generates far more greenhouse gases and requires far more land and water than plant-based foods. Reducing meat consumption in wealthy countries could dramatically decrease agriculture's environmental footprint while freeing resources to meet nutritional needs elsewhere. Food waste represents another significant opportunity, as approximately one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted before consumption. Addressing waste at every stage from farm to fork could substantially reduce the resources needed to feed the global population while improving food security.
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
In many cities, traffic congestion is becoming an increasingly serious problem. What are the causes of this problem, and what measures could be taken to reduce traffic in cities?
Support your point of view with reasons and examples from your own experience or observations.
Your essay (200-300 words):