By the end of this lesson you should be able to
- Identify exactly what a summary question asks for
- Select the relevant points and leave out examples and detail
- Rewrite points in your own words and join them into fluent sentences
- Stay within a word limit
What a summary is
A summary gives the main points on a particular topic in fewer words, in your own words. In this kind of question, you are usually told what to summarise (for example, “the harmful effects of …” or “the advantages of …”) and given a word limit and often the first words to begin with. Examiners look for the correct points, your own wording, clear and accurate sentences, and respect for the word limit.
Key ideas
A seven-step method
- Read the question. Underline the focus (what to summarise) and the word limit.
- Read the passage and mark each point that answers the question. Number them.
- Leave out examples, explanations, repetition, opinions, names and figures that are only illustration.
- List the points in note form, in your own words.
- Join the notes into fluent sentences using linking words.
- Count the words and cut until you are within the limit.
- Check spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Rules
- Write in continuous prose, not notes or bullets.
- Use your own words. Do not copy long stretches, although you may keep words that have no good substitute.
- Put the points in a logical order. It need not follow the passage.
- Write in the same tense throughout, usually the present tense.
- Use short linking words such as and, so, because, which, while and also to combine points.
- Stay within the limit. Words over the limit may be ignored.
Useful ways to save words
| Long | Short |
|---|---|
| a large number of | many |
| in the event that | if |
| due to the fact that | because |
| has the ability to | can |
| people who live in villages | villagers |
Worked example: an original passage
CHARCOAL BURNING
1 Charcoal burning is a major source of income for many rural families, but it comes at a high price for the environment and for people. Charcoal is made by burning wood slowly in earth kilns. Trees that took decades to mature are cut down within days.
2 The most obvious effect is deforestation. When forests disappear, the soil loses its cover and is easily washed away by heavy rains, so farmland becomes less fertile. Rivers and dams also fill with silt.
3 Cutting trees also harms wildlife because birds, insects and small animals lose their homes. Some species may disappear from an area completely.
4 Burning wood releases carbon dioxide and smoke. Trees normally absorb carbon dioxide, so fewer trees mean more of this gas remains in the air, which contributes to climate change. Charcoal makers and their families may also suffer from coughs and eye problems caused by smoke.
5 Finally, as trees become scarce, the price of firewood and charcoal rises, and women and children walk further to fetch it. Many communities can no longer find wood near their homes.
Question. In not more than 90 words, summarise the harmful effects of charcoal burning. Begin: Charcoal burning has several harmful effects.
Step 1: the focus is harmful effects, and the limit is 90 words.
Step 2 and 3: relevant points (background such as how charcoal is made, and the fact that it earns income, are left out):
- Deforestation.
- Soil is washed away, so farmland loses fertility.
- Rivers and dams fill with silt.
- Wildlife loses its habitat, and some species disappear.
- More carbon dioxide stays in the air, contributing to climate change.
- Smoke causes health problems (coughs, eye trouble).
- Wood becomes scarce, so prices rise and women and children walk further.
Model summary (this is one good answer, not the only one):
Charcoal burning has several harmful effects. It causes deforestation, so soil is washed away, farmland loses fertility and rivers and dams fill with silt. Wildlife loses its habitat, and some species may vanish. Fewer trees mean more carbon dioxide in the air, which adds to climate change, while smoke causes coughs and eye problems. Finally, wood becomes scarce, prices rise and women and children must walk further to collect it.
Notice how points 2 and 3 are joined by so and and, and how the writer uses synonyms (vanish for disappear, habitat for homes, collect for fetch).
Common mistakes
Copying whole sentences. This shows no understanding, and it wastes words.
Including examples and background. They do not answer the question.
Going over the word limit. Cut minor details rather than writing over.
Adding your own opinions. A summary reports only what the passage says.
Writing a list of short sentences. Join related points into fluent sentences.
Practice questions
Use the charcoal passage above.
- Which of these belong in a summary of the harmful effects of charcoal burning? Write the letters. A. Charcoal is made by burning wood in earth kilns. B. Rivers and dams fill with silt. C. Many rural families earn income from charcoal. D. Animals lose their homes. E. Smoke causes eye problems. F. Trees can take decades to mature.
- Rewrite in fewer words, keeping the meaning: Trees that took decades to mature are cut down within days.
- Shorten this sentence to about 12 words: Because the soil no longer has trees to protect it, the heavy rains that fall during the rainy season wash away the fertile top layer of the soil, and so farmers find that their crops do not grow well.
- Combine into one sentence: Trees are cut down. Soil is washed away. Farmland loses fertility.
- Replace each phrase with one word: (a) due to the fact that, (b) a large number of, (c) in the event that.
- Write a summary of paragraph 5 in not more than 25 words.
Show answers
- B, D and E. A and F are background, and C is about income, not harm.
- Slow-growing trees are felled quickly. (or Trees that take decades to grow are cut within days.)
- Without tree cover, heavy rain washes away fertile topsoil, so crops grow poorly. (13 words)
- When trees are cut down, soil is washed away and farmland loses fertility.
- (a) because, (b) many, (c) if.
- Scarce trees raise the price of wood, and women and children must walk further to fetch it. (17 words; other answers are possible)
Summary
- Underline the focus and the word limit, then select only the points that answer the question.
- Leave out examples, background and opinions.
- Use your own words, write in continuous prose, and join points with linking words.
- Count your words and stay within the limit.
Now practise this topic
Real questions show you what still needs work. Try a past paper under timed conditions, or take a short quiz.