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Year 11 English — Writing a summary

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

Name: ________________________

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

  2. 2.In which person should a summary be written?

    • a) The second person
    • b) Whichever the writer prefers
    • c) The first person
    • d) The third person

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

    Groups: Belongs · Does not belong

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

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

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

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

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

  6. 6.Which of these belongs in a summary?

    • a) One example from each paragraph
    • b) A direct quotation from the passage
    • c) Your own opinion of the passage
    • d) The main point of each paragraph

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

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

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

Answer key — Year 11 English — Writing a summary

  1. 1.
    • regularly
    • periodically
  2. 2. d) The third person
  3. 3. 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
  4. 4. b) 80 words
  5. 5. d) Water shortage in the district has three main causes.
  6. 6. d) The main point of each paragraph
  7. 7. b) Because copying does not show that the passage has been understood.
  8. 8. villagers