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Summary Writing Skills

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Summary Writing Skills

Read each passage carefully. Identify its main idea and important details, then plan and write a brief summary in your own words.

Find the main idea and key details

Read the passage for Questions 1–3. Many native geckos live in New Zealand’s forests and rocky places. These small reptiles are active mostly at night. Their sticky toe pads help them climb, and they eat insects and other tiny invertebrates. Like other reptiles, geckos need warm conditions to stay active.

1.Based on the passage about New Zealand geckos, which sentence best expresses its main idea?

Geckos are reptiles with features and habits that help them live in their environment.
All reptiles spend the daytime searching for food.
Geckos use their toe pads to catch insects.
New Zealand’s forests are too cold for reptiles.

2.Which THREE details are stated in the passage about New Zealand geckos? Select three.

They are mostly active at night.
They use sticky toe pads to climb.
They eat insects and other tiny invertebrates.
They migrate to warmer islands each winter.
They are a kind of bird.

3.Match each summary sentence starter with the job it usually does.

The passage focuses on...
An important example is...
Also,...
Overall,...

Connect another point
Introduce the main idea
Add a supporting detail
Wrap up the summary

Plan, write and improve a summary

Read this passage before answering Questions 4–8. A group of volunteers helped restore a wetland beside a stream. They planted native flax and toetoe along the muddy banks, where the plants’ roots can help hold the soil in place. The volunteers also removed rubbish and weeds that were crowding out local plants. Healthy wetlands provide shelter and food for wildlife, so caring for them can benefit many species.

4.In one sentence, state the main idea of the wetland-restoration passage. Include the overall purpose of the volunteers’ work.

5.Write two separate key details from the wetland-restoration passage as short phrases. Choose details that support its main idea.

6.Write a three- or four-sentence summary of the wetland-restoration passage. Begin with a sentence that gives the main idea, include key details, and use your own words.

7.Read this sample summary: “Volunteers worked to restore a wetland beside a stream. They planted native plants to help hold the soil and also removed rubbish and weeds. Overall, their work helps provide wildlife with a healthier habitat.” Use the checklist to select every feature this sample summary includes.