A summary captures the main ideas of a text in far fewer words, leaving out minor details and examples. Good summarising starts with identifying the main idea of each paragraph or section, then combining those into a few sentences using your own words — not copying sentences directly from the original.
Example
A three-paragraph article about the benefits of recycling could be summarised in one sentence: "Recycling reduces landfill waste, saves energy, and helps protect natural resources" — capturing the main points without the supporting details.
Key terms
Summary:
A short version of a text that captures only the main ideas.
Main idea:
The most important point being made in a text or paragraph.
Questions
1. A summary is:
A short version capturing the main ideas
An exact copy of the text
A list of every detail
A type of punctuation
2. A good summary should be:
Longer than the original
Much shorter than the original
Exactly the same length
Written in a different language
3. Summaries should leave out:
The main idea
Minor details and examples
The topic
Everything
4. A summary should be written:
By copying sentences exactly
In your own words
Without reading the text
In random order
5. The main idea is:
The most important point of a text
An unimportant detail
The title only
A punctuation mark
6. Before summarising, it helps to:
Identify the main idea of each section
Memorise every word
Ignore the text
Add unrelated ideas
7. Copying sentences word-for-word into a "summary" is a problem because:
It isn't really summarising in your own words
It's always required
It makes the summary shorter
It improves understanding
8. A three-page article should usually be summarised in:
Three pages
A few sentences or a short paragraph
One word
A completely different topic
9. Which of these belongs in a summary of an article about healthy eating?
The main recommendations, like eating more vegetables
Every single statistic mentioned
The author's home address
A list of unrelated facts
10. Which of these is a minor detail, not a main idea?
Recycling saves energy
One specific example of a recycled item mentioned in passing
Recycling reduces landfill waste
Recycling helps protect resources
11. Writing a summary in your own words mainly shows that you:
Understood the material
Memorised it exactly
Disagree with it
Ignored it
12. A summary that includes every small detail from the original is:
A good summary
Not really a summary at all
Always required
Shorter than it should be
13. When summarising a multi-paragraph text, a helpful first step is to:
Find the main idea of each paragraph
Copy the first paragraph exactly
Ignore the headings
Write twice the original length
14. A summary of a persuasive text should capture:
The writer's main argument and key reasons
Every single example used
The writer's name only
Nothing at all
15. Two students summarise the same article. One writes three sentences capturing the main points; the other copies six sentences directly. Which is the better summary, and why?
The copied version, since it's more accurate
The three-sentence version, since it shows understanding in the student's own words
Neither is acceptable
They are equally good
16. A summary that accidentally changes the meaning of the original text is a sign that the writer:
Misunderstood the main idea
Wrote too briefly
Used too many quotation marks
Used correct punctuation
17. When summarising a long report, the most important skill is:
Distinguishing main ideas from supporting details
Remembering exact page numbers
Using as many words as possible
Quoting the entire report
18. A summary of a scientific study should prioritise:
The key findings and conclusions
The exact lab equipment brand used
The researchers' unrelated hobbies
The font used in the report
19. Why is summarising considered a useful study skill?
It forces you to identify and understand what matters most in a text
It replaces the need to read anything
It is always exactly as long as the original
It has no connection to understanding
20. A one-sentence summary of a whole novel would most likely:
Capture only the broadest main idea
Capture every plot detail
Be longer than the novel
Be in a foreign language
Answer key (parent copy)
1. A short version capturing the main ideas
2. Much shorter than the original
3. Minor details and examples
4. In your own words
5. The most important point of a text
6. Identify the main idea of each section
7. It isn't really summarising in your own words
8. A few sentences or a short paragraph
9. The main recommendations, like eating more vegetables
10. One specific example of a recycled item mentioned in passing
11. Understood the material
12. Not really a summary at all
13. Find the main idea of each paragraph
14. The writer's main argument and key reasons
15. The three-sentence version, since it shows understanding in the student's own words
16. Misunderstood the main idea
17. Distinguishing main ideas from supporting details
18. The key findings and conclusions
19. It forces you to identify and understand what matters most in a text