PTE writing samples, examples and templates
Pearson asks for a one-sentence summary of no more than 75 words and a 200–300 word essay. Below are two original model answers for those tasks, the marking factors in Pearson's words and frames to think with. Pearson gives no template. Every example here is ours, not Pearson's.
Pearson publishes no approved template, and it warns against memorised or templated responses. A frame is a thinking aid that you fill with your own content, never a script. This page keeps to frames. It sets out what Pearson says about the two writing tasks, then shows one answer to each, written by us for this page, with plain notes on what each does well. We are not Pearson and this is not immigration advice; Pearson's pages decide how the test works.
The two tasks these samples cover
Summarize Written Text and Write Essay.
Both tasks are in Part 1 of PTE Academic. Pearson sets the time and the length for each, and those limits decide how a good answer is shaped. The samples below follow them.
| Task | What Pearson says | Time and length |
|---|---|---|
| Summarize Written Text | After reading the text, write a one-sentence summary of the passage. | Text up to 300 words. You have 10 minutes. A full, single sentence of no more than 75 words. |
| Write Essay | Write a 200–300 word essay on a given topic. | You have 20 minutes. Full credit for Form between 200 and 300 words. |
"For this item type, you need to write a 200–300 word argumentative essay in response to a prompt."
An answer outside the outer length limit is scored zero on every factor, so each sample below also reports its own length.
"If your summary contains fewer than five words or more than 75 words, you will not receive any score points for your summary on any of the four factors. Your summary will be scored zero."
What the two tasks are marked on
Pearson's questions, word for word.
| Task | Factor | What Pearson asks |
|---|---|---|
| Summarize Written Text | Content | Does your response summarize the main points in the passage? |
| Summarize Written Text | Form | Does your response meet the requirements of a one-sentence summary? |
| Summarize Written Text | Grammar | Does your response demonstrate correct grammatical usage? |
| Summarize Written Text | Vocabulary | Does your response demonstrate correct and appropriate word choice and usage? |
| Write Essay | Content | Does your response address the topic? |
| Write Essay | Development, structure and coherence | Does your response demonstrate good development of ideas and a logical structure? |
| Write Essay | Form | Does your response meet the length requirement of between 200 and 300 words? |
| Write Essay | General linguistic range | Does your response use language that precisely conveys your ideas? |
| Write Essay | Grammar usage and mechanics | Does your response demonstrate correct grammatical usage and consistent control of standard written English? |
| Write Essay | Vocabulary range | Does your response demonstrate command of a broad vocabulary range? |
| Write Essay | Spelling | Does your response demonstrate correct and consistent use of a single spelling convention? |
Pearson also says what its best responses look like. These lines are the closest thing to a model answer that Pearson publishes in words, and our samples were written against them.
"The best responses clearly summarize the main idea and condense essential supporting points. They focus on the topic, including only key information and essential supporting points."
"The best responses contain multiple paragraphs and have a clear introduction, body and conclusion that relate to the topic of the essay."
"The best responses use precise academic terms and avoid repetition by using synonyms and idioms where appropriate."
Pearson says the marking is automated, with a human check on some factors.
"All of the following traits are AI-scored: Content, Form, DSC (Development, Structure & Coherence), Grammar, GLR (General Linguistic Range), Vocabulary, and Spelling. A human expert will also review Content, DSC and GLR before your final score for the task is confirmed."
Model answer 1: Summarize Written Text
A passage and a one-sentence summary, both written by us.
Read the passage once, cover it, and write your own one-sentence summary before you look at ours. The passage is 134 words long.
Urban planners in many cities are encouraging building owners to plant vegetation on their roofs. A green roof is a layer of soil and plants laid over a waterproof membrane, and it can be as thin as a lawn or as deep as a small garden. The most common reason for installing one is rainwater control: the plants and soil soak up much of a storm's rainfall, which reduces the pressure on drains and lowers the risk of street flooding. Green roofs also insulate the building below, so less energy is needed for heating in winter and cooling in summer. Critics point out that the roofs cost more to build than ordinary ones and need regular maintenance, but supporters argue that these costs are recovered through lower energy bills and a longer roof life.
Although green roofs cost more to build and need regular upkeep, they reduce flooding by absorbing rainwater and cut heating and cooling costs through insulation, so supporters argue the extra expense is repaid over time.
What it does well, in plain words:
- It starts with 'Although', so the objection (cost and upkeep) and the answer to it fit into one sentence.
- It keeps the two main benefits, flooding and energy, and drops the detail about lawns, gardens and membranes.
- It uses its own words. 'Upkeep' stands for 'maintenance', 'absorbing' for 'soak up' and 'repaid' for 'recovered'.
- It has one capital letter at the start, one full stop at the end and a length of 35 words.
- It says what the passage argues, including the supporters' point about the cost being repaid, not just that the passage is about green roofs.
Pearson's marking text says the best grammar usually has a main clause and a subordinate clause, and that the best vocabulary uses words from the passage appropriately alongside synonyms. Our summary was built to do both.
"The best responses usually consist of a main clause and subordinate clause."
"The best responses use words from the passage appropriately, demonstrate an understanding of the context and use synonyms effectively to show variety in language use."
Model answer 2: Write Essay
A prompt and a four-paragraph answer, both written by us.
Write your own essay on this prompt in 20 minutes before you read ours. Then compare the shape, not the sentences.
Some people believe that every university student should take a short course in personal finance, covering budgeting, saving and borrowing, whatever subject they are studying. To what extent do you agree or disagree?
I largely agree that every university student should take a short course in personal finance. Most students manage their own money for the first time while they study, yet few have been taught how to do it, and a compulsory course would fill that gap at a small cost to the university.
The strongest reason is that money mistakes made early can last for years. A student who does not understand interest, for example, may take on credit card debt that grows faster than a part-time wage can repay it. A course that explains budgeting, saving and the true cost of borrowing would help students avoid these problems before they begin, which benefits the students and the universities that otherwise see them drop out under financial stress.
Some people argue that students are adults who should learn about money from their families or from experience. However, not every family can teach these skills, and learning by experience can be expensive. A course also treats all students equally, so those who have never discussed money at home do not start at a disadvantage. Others worry that it would take time away from the main degree, but a course of only a few weeks would not do that.
In conclusion, personal finance is a practical skill that affects every graduate, whatever their subject. Because the course is short and its benefits last, I believe universities should require it.
What it does well, in plain words:
- The first sentence states a position and answers 'to what extent' with 'largely agree'.
- Each body paragraph has one main idea. The first gives a reason with a concrete example (credit card debt against a part-time wage). The second takes the opposite view and answers it.
- The four paragraphs are an opening, a reason, a counter-argument with a reply, and a close. The close restates the position in new words and adds nothing new.
- Linking words are used sparingly ('for example', 'However', 'In conclusion') and each one does a job.
- It mixes short and longer sentences, and each longer sentence is one it can control.
- It uses one spelling convention throughout and it is 236 words long, inside the length range for the task.
We do not say what level this essay would reach. A model answer shows structure and range. It is one way to answer, not the only way.
Pearson's own description of a strong essay points the same way, and its Content line asks for logical and specific information with support.
"The best responses are on topic, contain logical and specific information and answer any questions asked. They also support any arguments with details, examples and/or explanations."
Template frames you can fill
Frames are thinking aids for your own sentences, not scripts.
Pearson publishes no approved frame. A memorised paragraph is the clearest risk. Pearson's wording on this is plain.
"No credit is given for no response, an irrelevant response or an unoriginal response. You must use your own words."
"Any template that relies on long passages of memorized pre-scripted material is considered gaming."
So treat every frame below as a skeleton. Fill the brackets with sentences about the actual passage or prompt in front of you.
Frames for Summarize Written Text
| Frame (fill the brackets) | When it fits |
|---|---|
| Although [objection or cost], [main claim] because [reason]. | The passage argues for something and mentions a drawback. |
| [Subject] [main claim], which [result], while [second point]. | The passage gives two parallel points. |
| [Main claim] by [method one] and [method two], so [consequence]. | The passage explains how something works and why it matters. |
| [Group] argue that [claim], but [other group] say [counter-claim]. | The passage sets two views against each other. |
Frames for Write Essay paragraphs
| Paragraph | Frame (fill the brackets) |
|---|---|
| Opening | I largely agree [or: I disagree] that [the topic in your own words], because [one-clause reason]. |
| Body, reason | The strongest reason is that [reason]. For example, [a specific, concrete example]. As a result, [consequence]. |
| Body, other view | Some people argue that [other view]. However, [why it is weaker, with a reason]. |
| Close | In conclusion, [your position in new words], because [the main reason in new words]. |
Do not reuse the same opening and closing sentence in every essay. Pearson's integrity paper says its gaming detection system considers the similarity of a response to known templates, the amount of authentic content present and the density of templated content.
Our PTE essay template page adds a word plan for each part and a clock to work to.
Five common writing mistakes
What we would fix first in a draft.
| Mistake | Why it hurts | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Two sentences in Summarize Written Text, usually from a full stop in the middle | The task asks for one sentence. A second sentence breaks the Form requirement. | Use a comma and a linking word such as although, while, because or so. |
| Copying long runs from the passage | Pearson's vocabulary line rewards words from the passage used appropriately alongside synonyms. A summary that is mostly lifted shows little of the second. In the essay and the spoken-text summary, an unoriginal response earns no credit. | Keep the idea, change the wording. Replace nouns and verbs with accurate synonyms. |
| Summarising a detail, not the point | A fluent summary of a side detail can miss the main point. If it makes you misinterpret the topic or purpose of the passage, Pearson says the summary scores zero. | Read once for the main claim. Ask what the author wants the reader to accept. |
| An essay with no clear answer to the question | If the prompt asks 'to what extent' and the essay only lists facts, the Content line is not met. | State a position in the first sentence and keep returning to it. |
| Guessing the length | Too short or too long lowers the Form mark and extremes are scored zero. | Use the word counter on screen and aim for the middle of the range. |
A sixth habit worth dropping is mixing American and British spelling inside one answer. Pearson accepts either convention but asks for one.
"PTE Academic recognizes English spelling conventions from the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. However, one spelling convention should be used consistently in a given response."
How to use a writing sample
Write first, compare second.
- Write your own answer to the same passage or prompt, under the same time limit.
- Read ours and mark the differences in shape: where is the position stated, how many ideas per paragraph, where is the example.
- Rewrite your answer using what you noticed, in your own words.
- Check both against the factor table above: is it one sentence, one full stop and inside the limits for Summarize Written Text, and inside the range for the essay?
- Do it again on a new prompt a day later. The point is the habit, not the sample.
For the test owner's own sample answers, Pearson's free guided practice tests and its paid Question Bank both include them.
"Use our Guided Practice Tests to get a feel for the test and view sample answers"
"However, you can check if your answers are correct or incorrect and compare sample answers to your own responses to speaking and writing questions."
The guided practice tests sit in Smart Prep, which opens from a free myPTE account. Pearson lists the free items below.
"A study plan 4 full Guided Practice Tests Sectional Guided Practice Tests Video courses split by skill Test tip documents"
Common questions
Pearson's free guided practice tests include sample answers, and its paid Question Bank lets you compare sample answers to your own responses to speaking and writing questions. We add two model answers we wrote ourselves, above.
Pearson gives no template. The frames above are our own suggestion, not Pearson's, and a frame is a thinking aid that you fill with your own sentences. Pearson says no credit is given for an unoriginal response and that you must use your own words, so a memorised template can cost you.
Pearson does not publish a list of allowed templates. It says no credit is given for an unoriginal response, and its integrity paper says any template that relies on long passages of memorized pre-scripted material is considered gaming. A short skeleton for structure is our suggestion, not something Pearson approves, so write fresh sentences every time.
For Summarize Written Text it is one sentence of no more than 75 words. For Write Essay it is a 200–300 word argumentative essay with a clear introduction, body and conclusion. Both are modelled above.
Pearson asks for a single sentence of no more than 75 words in Summarize Written Text, and 200–300 words in the essay. Outside the outer limits the response is scored zero.
Pearson says Write Essay is scored on seven AI-scored traits, and a human expert also reviews Content, DSC and GLR before the final score is confirmed. For Summarize Written Text, which has four factors, the Score Guide lists a human review of Content.
No. We do not say what level a sample would reach. They show structure and range, and they were written against Pearson's own descriptions of a strong response.