PTE Summarize Written Text Task Sample 155
Read the passage below and summarize it using one sentence. Type your response in the box at the bottom of the screen. You have 10 minutes to finish this task. Your response will be judged on the quality of your writing and on how well your response presents the key points in the passage.
Comparing WWI and WWII Causes
World War I and World War II, though interconnected in their aftermath and global impact, were fueled by distinct sets of causes.
World War I, often referred to as the Great War, was primarily triggered by a complex web of alliances, militarism, imperialism, and nationalism. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in 1914 served as the immediate catalyst, leading to a chain reaction of declarations of war among European powers.
The war saw the collision of imperial ambitions and entangled alliances, with each side seeking to assert dominance over colonial territories and spheres of influence. Additionally, the rapid arms race and militarization in Europe exacerbated tensions, ultimately leading to a catastrophic conflict that engulfed the continent.
In contrast, World War II was largely shaped by the aftermath of World War I, along with the rise of totalitarian regimes, economic turmoil, and unresolved grievances. The Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh penalties on Germany, created fertile ground for resentment and instability, paving the way for the emergence of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime.
Hitler’s expansionist ambitions, coupled with the policy of appeasement by Western powers, allowed aggressive actions such as the annexation of Austria and the invasion of Poland to go unchecked, triggering the outbreak of war in 1939.
While both wars involved complex geopolitical factors and power struggles, the causes of World War I were rooted in pre-existing tensions among European powers, whereas World War II was shaped by the failure to address the underlying issues that arose from the aftermath of the First World War and the emergence of aggressive totalitarian regimes.
Summary:
World War I was primarily driven by a complex web of alliances, militarism, imperialism, and nationalism, with the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand serving as the immediate catalyst, while World War II was shaped by the aftermath of World War I, the rise of totalitarian regimes, economic turmoil, and unresolved grievances, particularly exemplified by Hitler’s expansionist ambitions and the failure of Western powers to address aggressive actions.