PTE Academic Writing Test 4

Some people believe that universities should focus primarily on preparing students for the job market, while others argue that their main purpose is to advance knowledge and develop critical thinking. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the view that universities should prioritise employability over academic learning?

Essay type: Agree or disagree. Your essay is scored on content, form, grammar, vocabulary and spelling.

Summarise the passage in writing.

Urban green spaces, including parks, community gardens, and tree-lined streets, have emerged as a central concern in contemporary city planning. As populations concentrate in metropolitan areas, the pressure on land intensifies, and natural environments are frequently sacrificed for housing and commercial development. Yet a growing body of research suggests that maintaining and expanding green spaces yields substantial benefits that extend well beyond aesthetic appeal. Trees and vegetation moderate urban temperatures, counteracting the so-called heat island effect, in which dense concrete and asphalt absorb and radiate heat, raising city temperatures by several degrees compared with surrounding rural areas. Vegetation also filters airborne pollutants and captures particulate matter, contributing to measurable improvements in air quality. Beyond these environmental functions, green spaces influence human well-being in profound ways. Studies have repeatedly linked access to parks and natural settings with reduced stress, lower rates of anxiety and depression, and increased levels of physical activity. Residents living near green areas tend to report greater life satisfaction and stronger community ties, partly because shared outdoor spaces encourage social interaction across diverse groups. Economically, the presence of well-maintained parks can raise nearby property values and attract investment, although critics caution that such effects may accelerate gentrification and displace lower-income residents. Planners therefore face a delicate balancing act: they must weigh the ecological and social advantages of green infrastructure against competing demands for affordable housing and economic growth. Increasingly, cities are experimenting with innovative solutions, such as rooftop gardens, vertical greenery, and the conversion of disused industrial land into public parks. These approaches demonstrate that integrating nature into the urban fabric need not require vast tracts of land, but rather creative and inclusive design that serves the broad interests of city dwellers.

Your summary is scored on content, form, grammar and vocabulary.