Two sentences scores 0 on Form — and Form 0 zeroes the task. One full stop, at the end. This is the most common way candidates lose this task entirely, and it has nothing to do with their English.
Strategy
- Aim for 55–65 words. Long enough to carry the main ideas, short enough to stay controlled.
- Use complex structure deliberately — “Although X…, Y…” fits two ideas into one legal sentence.
- Paraphrase. Copying the source verbatim is detected and caps your Content score, however complete it looks.
- Capture the main argument and its qualification, not a list of details.
Frequently asked questions
How many sentences should a Summarize Written Text answer be?
Exactly one, of 5–75 words. Two or more sentences score 0 on Form, and Form 0 zeroes the task — regardless of how good the English is.
How is Summarize Written Text scored?
On Content, Form, Grammar and Vocabulary. Aim for 55–65 words, paraphrase rather than copy, and use one complex sentence (“Although X…, Y…”) to fit two ideas legally.
Does Summarize Written Text affect my Reading score?
It sits in Writing, but the same read-and-condense skill overlaps heavily with Reading, so strong SWT practice supports both bands.