Text up to 300 words. Learn what the task asks, why it matters, and how to practise it without turning a planning heuristic into a score promise.
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Quick facts
These format and scoring facts are paraphrased from Pearson sources. Keep them separate from PTEFlow’s practice advice.
Section
Speaking & Writing
Prompt
Text up to 300 words.
Skills
Reading and Writing.
Timing
10 minutes.
Scoring
Content, Form, Grammar, and Vocabulary; one complete sentence of 5–75 words.
Why this task matters
It has a substantial average Reading and Writing contribution, so selecting the thesis and controlling sentence form matters more than copying detail.
Average contribution is contextual data for study priority. It is not a fixed allocation of PTE points.
Pearson official
Score contribution
Average question-type weighting
Overall
~7%
Reading
~23%
Writing
~28%
These percentages describe an average test and help explain relative study priority. They are not fixed PTE points, a score formula, or a guarantee for a particular test form.
Relative context
Where this task sits among related tasks
The comparison uses the same average-weighting dataset as the contribution card. It explains relative importance, not a deterministic score conversion.
Use a compound or complex sentence to connect the main idea with essential support.
Do not misrepresent the source topic or purpose.
PTEFlow strategy
What the learner has to do
It has a substantial average Reading and Writing contribution, so selecting the thesis and controlling sentence form matters more than copying detail.
PTEFlow strategy
PTEFlow strategy
1Find the thesis or main claim first.
2Select one or two essential supporting ideas.
3Draft one sentence with a main clause plus a subordinate or coordinate clause.
4Check completeness, word count, and punctuation.
PTEFlow strategy
Template or technique
[Main idea], while/because/which [essential supporting idea], and [optional second support or consequence].
Use a framework only when it fits the prompt. PTEFlow does not recommend irrelevant or unoriginal memorized responses.
PTEFlow strategy
Worked example
Remote work can increase employee flexibility and reduce commuting costs, but organizations need clear communication practices to maintain coordination and team cohesion.
PTEFlow strategy
PTE Summarize Written Text template
Main point: [Subject of the passage] [its main claim],
Connector: although / because / while / which means that
Key support: [the most important supporting idea],
Optional second support: and [a second key idea].
Check: One sentence, a capital letter at the start, one full stop at the end, 5–75 words. PTE Flow suggests aiming for about 25–50 words.
Fill each line with details from the prompt. A template that ignores the prompt scores poorly on content.
PTE Summarize Written Text sample answers
Original PTE Flow practice examples, written to the official format. They are models to learn from, not answers to memorise.
Example 1
Prompt: A 250-word passage explains that four-day working week trials in several countries kept output steady while reducing staff burnout and sick days, but that the model is harder to apply in shift-based industries such as healthcare.
Trials of four-day working weeks in several countries maintained productivity while reducing burnout and sick days, although the model is harder to apply in shift-based industries such as healthcare.
Why it works: 29 words in one complex sentence: the main finding, its benefits and the limitation, joined by 'while' and 'although'.
Example 2
Prompt: A 280-word passage argues that microplastics are now found in oceans, soil and drinking water, that their effects on human health are still uncertain, and that researchers recommend reducing single-use plastics while more evidence is gathered.
Microplastics have been found in oceans, soil and drinking water, and although their effects on human health remain uncertain, researchers recommend cutting single-use plastics while more evidence is collected.
Why it works: 29 words. It keeps all three ideas and their logical relationship without adding opinions that are not in the passage.
PTE Summarize Written Text FAQ
How many words should Summarize Written Text be?
Between 5 and 75 words, written as one sentence that starts with a capital letter and ends with one full stop.
How long do I have?
10 minutes to read a passage of up to 300 words and write your one-sentence summary.
How is Summarize Written Text scored?
On content, form, grammar and vocabulary. Form checks the one-sentence, 5–75 word requirement.
Can I write two sentences?
No. The response must be a single sentence. Join ideas with words such as 'although', 'while' or 'because' instead of adding a second full stop.
Review before test day
Common mistakes
Writing two sentences.
Copying large source fragments without synthesis.
Adding examples that are not central.
Using multiple connectors that make the sentence unstable.
PTEFlow benchmark
Target-score strategy
Target 65
Practice benchmark
Consistent coverage of the main content with controlled fluency and grammar.
Study emphasis
Reduce omissions, disruptive hesitations, and avoidable errors.
This is a PTEFlow planning heuristic. It changes study emphasis, not Pearson’s rules, and it does not convert correct answers into a guaranteed score.
Personal notes
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