PTE Writing: Practice Questions - 7 | Practice Tests for PTE PDF Download

Summarize Written Text

You need to summarize the passage given below. In the exam, you will have 10 minutes to complete this task. Your response will be assessed on how well you capture the essential points of the passage and the clarity of your writing.
You can draft your answer on paper, and then check your response by clicking the "View Answer" button.

Q1: Researchers have tried to compare the effects of exposure to both natural and urban environments. Results show that exposure to natural environments showed a moderate association with higher positive mood.

This exposure doesn't have to take place in-person. Research conducted in labs showed that while people got the most psychological benefit from physical exposure to nature, exposure to simulated natural environments - such as film or virtual reality - had a comparable effect.

One study showed that taking part in a virtual reality experience of a natural environment resulted in higher levels of positive effect and greater attention restoration compared to a virtual reality experience of an urban environment.

Psychological benefits seem to be dependent on the type of nature experience. Another study found that a virtual experience of wild nature (defined as natural settings, such as wilderness with little human interference) improved positive mood. By contrast, a virtual experience of urban nature (such as parks in urbanised areas) exerted its beneficial effect by reducing negative mood.

The studies also showed that simulated natural environments providing realistic representations of nature, such as interactive virtual reality, resulted in greater psychological benefits than less immersive mediums such as photographs of natural settings.

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Q2: Scientists believe they may have found a way to prevent complications that can arise following cataract surgery, the world's leading cause of blindness. Detailing why complications can occur after surgery, researchers from the University of East Anglia (UEA) explained that while cataract surgery works well to restore vision, a few natural lens cells always remain after the procedure.

Over time, the eye's wound-healing response leads these cells to spread across the underside of the artificial lens, which interferes with vision, causing what's known as 'posterior capsule opacification' or secondary cataract.

UEA's School of Biological Sciences academic, Dr. Michael Wormstone, who led the study, said: 'Secondary visual loss responds well to treatment with laser surgery. But as life expectancy increases, the problems of cataract and posterior capsule opacification will become even greater in terms of both patient well-being and economic burden. It's essential that we find better ways to manage the condition in future.'

As a result, researchers are designing new artificial lenses that can be placed into a capsular bag that stays open, instead of shrink-wrapping closed, which currently occurs. It is believed that, through the new approach, fluid in the eye can flow around the artificial lens, therefore diluting and washing away the cell signalling molecules that encourage cell re-growth.

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Write Essay

You will have 20 minutes to plan, write and revise an essay about the topic below. Carefully read the statement below and write an essay in response. A sample essay is available for you to review by clicking on the "View Answer" button.
Your essay will be evaluated based on how effectively you develop your position, organize your ideas, provide supporting details, and adhere to the conventions of standard written English. Aim for a word count between 200-300 words.

Q1: Food travels thousands of miles from producers to consumers. Some people think that it would be better for the environment and economy if people ate only the local food produced by farmers. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
Support your views with reasons and examples from your own experience and observation.

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