← Back to the activity

Year 10 English — Writing a summary

Cut a passage to its essential points and write them out as your own connected sentences.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Why should a summary avoid copying the passage's own sentences word for word?

    • a) Because a summary may not use complete sentences.
    • b) Because copying does not show that the passage has been understood.
    • c) Because a summary has to be longer than the passage.
    • d) Because the passage's sentences are always badly written.

  2. 2.Which is the best opening sentence for a summary of a passage about water shortage?

    • a) I think the passage is about water shortage.
    • b) Water shortage in the district has three main causes.
    • c) In this passage the writer says a great many things.
    • d) Let me tell you all about water shortage.

  3. 3.Reduce this phrase to a single word: "people who live in a village".

  4. 4.Reduce this phrase to a single word: "at regular intervals".

  5. 5.A passage of 240 words is to be summarised in about a third of its length. Roughly how long should the summary be?

    • a) 120 words
    • b) 200 words
    • c) 80 words
    • d) 40 words

  6. 6.Sort each feature by whether it belongs in a summary.

    Groups: Belongs · Does not belong

    • The passage's own examples
    • The main idea of each paragraph
    • Your own opinion of the passage
    • A long quotation from the passage
    • The points in the order the passage gives them
    • Linking words between the points

  7. 7.Match each long phrase to the single word that can replace it.

    • a large number of
    • in the near future
    • due to the fact that
    • at the present moment
    • in the event that
    • with the exception of
    • now
    • because
    • soon
    • if
    • except
    • many

  8. 8.Reduce this phrase to a single word: "at this point in time".

Answer key — Year 10 English — Writing a summary

  1. 1. b) Because copying does not show that the passage has been understood.
  2. 2. b) Water shortage in the district has three main causes.
  3. 3. villagers
  4. 4.
    • regularly
    • periodically
  5. 5. c) 80 words
  6. 6. The main idea of each paragraph → Belongs; Linking words between the points → Belongs; The points in the order the passage gives them → Belongs; Your own opinion of the passage → Does not belong; The passage's own examples → Does not belong; A long quotation from the passage → Does not belong
  7. 7. a large number of → many; in the near future → soon; due to the fact that → because; at the present moment → now; in the event that → if; with the exception of → except
  8. 8.
    • now
    • currently
    • presently