Summarizing Spoken Text is a major part of the PTE Listening module. You will listen to an audio (lecture, interview, or discussion) for 60 to 90 seconds and then write a summary of 50 to 70 words in 10 minutes.
If you accomplish this job correctly, it will test your grammar, vocabulary, writing clarity, and ability to take notes.
This is how to learn it step by step.
1. Listen for the Main Idea, Not Every Word
Don’t worry if you don’t get it all.
The main point of the audio is what you want to get across.
While you’re listening, ask yourself:
What is the subject?
What is the speaker trying to show or explain?
It helps you write a good summary if you know the key point.
2. Take Smart Notes: Use Keywords, Not Full Sentences
Write down:
Main subject
Points that support
Examples
Cause and effect
Conclusion or suggestion
Use short forms, symbols, arrows, and bullets to save time and swiftly write down important concepts.
3. Use this strong way to write sentences
In one sentence, your summary must be between 50 and 70 words long.
This is what you should use:
The speaker talks about [primary topic], making the argument that [key point 1] and [key point 2] are important. They also give an example or effect and end with [final thought].
This keeps your summary organized, integrated, and easy to read.
4. Pay attention to the content, structure, and grammar.
The PTE score for this task is based on:
What you wrote is content.
Form (50–70 words in one sentence)
Words and grammar
Cohesion (using connectors to make things flow logically)
Use words that relate like:
Also
But
So,
To sum up
These will help your summary sound seamless and professional.
5. Don’t put in your own thoughts or other information
Just write down what the speaker stated.
Don’t write down your own opinions or interpretations.
Follow the audio closely.
6. Make good use of your time (10-minute plan)
This is how it should be broken down:
2–3 min: Go over your notes and find the most important topics.
4–5 minutes: Use structure to write a summary.
1–2 minutes: Check the grammar, commas, and number of words.
✅ Make sure you always have 50–70 words and only one full stop!
7. Practice with real lectures
To get better quickly:
Listen to news broadcasts, TED Talks, and podcasts.
Stop and try to summarize in 50 to 70 words.
Set a timer to help you get faster and more accurate.
The more you do it, the simpler it gets!
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