PTE Listening: Summarize Spoken Text Real Exam Questions 2017 [SOLVED]

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Here we're giving PTE Listening "Summarize Spoken Text" recent exam questions and topics with the summaries. These questions and solved summaries are shared by students who appeared for the PTE Academic exam in 2017.

In the actual PTE Academic exam, You will get 2-3 'summarize spoken text' tasks. You will hear a short lecture, and you are required to write a 50-70 word summary to one of your fellow students who missed it. You will have 10 min to do this task.

PTE Listening: Summarize Spoken Text Real Exam Questions

2017 [SOLVED SUMMARY]

• Monkey Theorem

The talk is about how long it takes for a monkey to write the six letter word 'Monkey'. It is by using the latest computer software that now monkeys can write the word with in a day or so, whereas with the use of conventional typewriters it took nearly a decade to perform the same task. Hence, the aforementioned study shows the successful implementation of computer software in the development of monkey theory.

•   Laughing / Humour

1. This lecture talks about the benefits of laughing, especially in adversity, and there were war jokes about Berlin Wall prevailing in Eastern countries during the Second World War, which can ease the harm of the war. Moreover, laughing is the simplest and cheapest method to deal with stress, reduce blood pressure and helping people get through bleak and boring time.
2. The talk delineates a detailed picture regarding laughing during distress. According to the speaker, it is by overlooking misfortune that people can not only thrive in their life but also successfully achieve their goals. Hence, the aforementioned discussion indicates the importance of being happy in all situations, be it fortunate or unfortunate.
3. The speak is about benefits of laughing, especially in adversity. People realized the importance of laughing a long time ago and there are different understanding about humor in different regions. Besides that, there were war jokes about the Berlin Wall spreading among east regions that could ease the harm of the war. As a therapy, laughing can effectively improve people’s self-respect and identity. 

• Animal Survives & Reproduces

The lecture mentioned how animals can survive and reproduce, how they maintain their body under water; tolerate different temperature, seasons and how animals use inhabit, daily activities and behaviors. The result of the 'Frog' experiment indicates that the Frog can adjust their body temperature according to the change of the water temperature in order to survive itself.

• Observation In The Hemisphere Ocean Antares Detectors

The lecture is a kind of remote technology- underwater Antares detectors. Detectors can be used to observe the environment change and water temperature change. More importantly, these detectors are installed underwater to monitor fishes’ reaction to feeding. This makes it possible for people to change their feeding strategy quickly when fish do not react to the feeding.

• Sound Receptor

1. The talk is about the innovative design of sound receptors. It is by understanding the actual process of this device that experts discover that not only does this receptor performs an array of functions, from translating vibrational energy to physical motion, but it also contributes a great deal to the successful transition of various sounds. The lecture focuses on the significance of sound receptors.
2. The lecture talks about the mechanism of the sound receptor in human’s ear. These little spiky and flappy things in the ear can translate vibrational energy coming from the ear, hurting the eardrum, being translated into physical motion throughout the fluid, and then further into electrical motion and an electrical signal. Finally, the speaker invited MIT students to learn more about it as they think it is a remarkable device.

• Urbanization (The Development Of Urbanization & Agriculture)

The lecture mentioned the nexus between city and countryside. The farmer produces food then trade in the city. Actually more and more people move to the city because of the hard life in the countryside and more opportunities in the city. The development of urbanization, for example, agriculture, a farmer grow food can benefit many families in the city.

• Consultant/Loan

1. In this consultation, the concern of financial situation was raised by a woman who was 43 years old and with a student loan of more than 10,000 dollars and still is unpaid after 15 years past. Meanwhile, the monthly loan repayment is more than triple of her car loan and the debt exceeds her family income which limited the support of her children’s education.
2. The talk delineates how educational loan becomes overhead to its debtor later in their life. It is by paying higher interest rate on the debt that borrowers not only suffer financial difficulties but also feel deprived of other essential areas of day to day life. Hence, it is evident that the role of study loans in aggravating problems of student’s life is instrumental indeed.

• Stanford University Conference

1. A lecture held by Stanford University Business school stressed the importance of management and leadership in the business school. It is clear that educational purpose is to learn management and leadership. A student should be responsible for the management performance and identify how it could happen appropriately.
2. The lecturer talks about the importance of management. Firstly, he mentions that many worldwide large institutions are heavily depending on management. To be more specific, an accountable and responsible person play a major part of management.

• Advertisement On Prescription Medicine

The talk delineates a detailed picture regarding pharma marketing. According to the speaker, it is by using state-of-the-art technology in promoting products that drug companies are not only attracting customers to buy their products, but also persuading physicians to recommend their medicines. Hence, the aforementioned discussion highlights the impact of advertisement on people.

• Indian Peasants & Debt

The talk delineates a detailed picture regarding how the increasing prices of pesticides have caused the peasants to suffer indispensable in the long run. It is by controlling markets factors that the companies could successfully augment its revenue by imposing additional costs in the form of granting loans, thus making the lives of poor farmers a miserable one.

• Government Information Disclosure

The talk delineates how differences between democrats and republicans lie in their views towards social issues. It is by favoring such issues as the transfer of federal government powers to ordinary citizens and the like that Democrats distinguish them from Republicans. Hence, it is evident from the aforementioned discussion that the role of their views in determining their difference is instrumental indeed. 

• Modification Of Government (Power)

1. The lecture first stated the need to modify government power from federal to state level. The Democratic Party believes that the government should hold the strong power and entitlements, while the Republican Party regards the government should share the power with the states and people. However, power being handed to state normally means taking power away from people.
2. The lecture first stated the need to modify government powers. Then it followed by addressing the different opinions holding by the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. While the Democratic Party claims that government should hold the big power and entitlements, the Republicans believe government should share its powers with the states and people

• Artificial Intelligence

This lecture talks about computer and artificial intelligence. The human brain is a symbol processor. Human tells the computer what and how to do. Computers can operate, given the meaning of certain words. It has systems and symbols. Computer relies on analyzing messages into bytes, which is similar to human brain. The computer has a high potential to develop computer intelligence.

• International Environmental Legislation & Law

1. The lecture mentioned the environmental law. British government launched the environmental law for controlling the impact of humans on environment locally and globally. Companies applied the Adam Smith theory to increase their profitability. Managers were unsatisfied about the environmental law as it made companies less competitive in the market.
2. In this lecture, the importance of British environmental law was raised, which aims to control the human impact on the environment. Firstly, the law has been enforced globally and locally, with an aggressive regulation. However, the issue of companies was mentioned, which includes how they applied Adam Smith theory. Lastly, the speaker believed this will cause unsatisfactory of the company as they need to pay more under the law.

• Napoleon III Paris Renovation

The lecture mentioned the renovation of Paris in the 1890s. The renovation was a vast public program commissioned by Napoleon the third and directed by Haussmann. Haussmann was designated to bring air and light to the center of Paris and to drain the sewages. Haussmann was required to plant trees, build roads and fountains. The reason of renovation was the old Paris had many problems.

• War Of Talent 

1. In this speech, the issue of talent shortage (talent war) was raised. Firstly, the low birth rate and aging problem were the main causes. Then, the change of economy nature caused the intense demand of intelligent employees by large organizations. Lastly, the speaker believed that the mismatch brought by education institutions also caused the shortage of talented people.
2. The speech is about the war of talent and the speaker explains the three reasons behind this phenomenon. Firstly, the imminent retirement of the baby-boomers will decrease the number of the labor force and raise the shortage of skilled workers. Secondly, it is the collapse of loyalty. Finally, it is the mismatch between what schools are producing and what companies need.

• Chocolate In Maya Society (Cocoa)

This lecture talks about cocoa during the time of Aztecs. Cocoa was mainly used as a beverage. However, not everybody could afford it. Furthermore, Cocoa beans were used as a currency and cocoa butter can be used as a sunscreen to protect skin. Besides, cocoa also has the religious significance, because people of Maya society believed that drinking chocolate can give them wisdom.

• Harry Bergson

This lecture is an unusual person called Harry Bergson. Harry is not from the academic world. He runs a consulting company and is regarded as a genius. He is dedicated to save energy and solve problems by using existing technology.

• Mr. Green---Amory Lovins

1. The talk delineates a detailed picture regarding Amory. According to the speaker, it is by learning constantly that Henry not only devised new strategies to save energy but also concocted a deluge of ways on how to use state-of-the-art technologies to solve numerous problems. To conclude, Amory is an intelligent person.
2. Amory Loving is an American consultant experimental physicist and he has been active at the nexus of energy, resources, economy, environment, development, and security in more than 50 countries for over 40 years. He pays attention to energy saving and how to use energy in a more efficient and sustainable way.

• Mary Mallon

1. The talk is about the life of Mary Mallon, who migrated to the United States from Mexico in the beginning of the 20th century and was held responsible for spreading typhoid a deadly lethal disease. Although flamboyant by nature, this efficient cook unknowingly became the victim of typhoid, which many people contracted later. Hence, Mary Mallon has been attributed to the proliferation of this disease ever since.
2. The talk delineates a detailed picture regarding the difficulties faced by Mary Mallon due to her health condition. It was affected by numerous infections and contagious diseases, be it pneumonia or typhoid, Mary has come across different jobs, thus spreading the infection everywhere by means of food.

• DNA & RNA

1. The talk is about the significance and impact of biological science. It is by looking into the various aspects of this field of science such as metabolism, bacteria, cells etc, scientists have comprehended that all organism relies on each other. Hence, the aforementioned study reveals that all the living organisms are dependent on their counterparts.
2. The lecture talks about biology. The butterfly, flowers and dolphin and other creatures look different; but they are interconnected. All creatures rely on DNA and RNA, which are used for storing and transmitting genetic materials. Cells are the foundation of building organs. All organs have metabolism system, which converts energy from one form to another.

• Citizenship Education (School)/ Introduction Of Citizenship In A Curriculum

1. The talk delineates a detailed picture regarding the introduction of citizenship as a subject in school’s curriculum. It is by including this subject in an effort to maximize student’s horizons that school authorities could successfully alter their objectives, both in terms of the progress of students and the development of a nation.
2. Originally, school ignored the citizenship education and reluctant to teach it, while today’s school should pay more attention to the development of citizenship education because students will change the world. If the students spend enough time on citizenship education, they will be more confident in a changing world.

• Vitamin D

1. The talk delineates a detailed picture regarding the significance of vitamin D. According to the speaker, it is by having a continuous exposure to the sun that not only do people receive sufficient amount of vitamins, but they also remain fit and healthy regardless of their age. Hence, the aforementioned discussion reveals how vitamin D benefits mankind.
2. The talk delineates a detailed picture regarding vitamin D. According to the speaker, it was by exposing to the sun directly that people in ancient time not only got sufficient vitamin d, but also a wide range of other materials. Hence, the aforementioned discussion highlights the significance of sun.

• Gene Development

This lecture talks about the development of genes. The lecture firstly talked about genetic differences in cognitive abilities between present people and ancestors, then it highlighted the small number of different genes between modern people and people from 5000 years ago. The way of people piss is no difference with our ancestors because the gene didn’t change too much.

• Human Creativity 3P

This lecture talks about human creativity. Product, process, and people are the three key elements of human creativities. A creative product should be surprising, original, beautiful and useful. As for people, the important factors are ability, grit and right mindset. While for the process, they are improvement, insight, innovation, and imagination. The human being can survive because of their creativity.

• Making Error

The lecture mentioned how to do things right. Firstly, if the task is well-designed, people are likely to do the right thing, otherwise, they are prone to make mistakes. Secondly, distraction is a key factor which causes people making an error. For example, when someone is operating a photocopier, if something disrupts the thinking process, people are likely to leave the original files in the machine.

• How A Poor Girl Ideology Changed The Country Economy

The talk delineates a detailed picture regarding how a poor girl's ideology has contributed to altering the facet of a country's economy. It is by implementing the girl's proposal of converting/modeling tourism to a source of income that the country has not only generated heaps of revenue but also compensated the girl for her contribution.