PTE Core Writing Test 2

You recently ordered a desk lamp from an online store, but the item arrived with a cracked base and a missing power cable. Write an email to the store's customer service department describing the problem, explaining what you would like them to do, and requesting a prompt response.

Your email is scored on content, form, grammar, vocabulary and spelling.

Summarise the passage in writing.

The concept of the circular economy has gained significant traction as societies confront the limitations of the traditional linear model of production and consumption. In the conventional linear approach, raw materials are extracted, transformed into products, used by consumers, and ultimately discarded as waste. This pattern, often summarized as 'take, make, dispose', places enormous pressure on finite natural resources and generates substantial environmental pollution. The circular economy, by contrast, seeks to design waste out of the system entirely by keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible. Through strategies such as repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling, value is retained within the economy rather than lost at the end of a single life cycle. Advocates argue that this model offers considerable economic benefits in addition to its environmental advantages. By reducing dependence on imported raw materials, businesses can insulate themselves from volatile commodity prices and supply chain disruptions. Moreover, the repair and remanufacturing sectors tend to be labour intensive, potentially creating new employment opportunities in local communities. However, the transition to a circular economy is not without challenges. Existing infrastructure, consumer habits, and business models are deeply entrenched in linear thinking, and shifting them requires coordinated action from governments, manufacturers, and individuals alike. Regulatory frameworks must evolve to incentivise durable design and discourage planned obsolescence, while consumers must be persuaded to value longevity over novelty. Despite these obstacles, a growing number of companies and policymakers regard the circular economy as an essential pathway towards sustainable development, recognising that the continued exploitation of resources at current rates is simply not viable for future generations.

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