Definitions
What is a summary?
A short version of a text that includes the main points but leaves out minor details.
Samantha loved to paint more than anything else. Every day after school, she would set up her easel, mix colors, and paint for hours. She experimented with different styles and techniques to improve her skills. Sometimes, she painted pictures for her friends and family as gifts. Her biggest dream was to have her own art gallery someday. She knew that if she kept practicing, she could achieve her goal.
Summarize the text in 2-4 sentences.
Samantha loved painting and practiced every day to improve her skills. She enjoyed experimenting with different styles and often created paintings for her friends and family. Her biggest dream was to open an art gallery, and she worked hard to make that dream a reality.
Lena was nervous about her first swimming competition. She had practiced for months, waking up early every morning to train. When the big day arrived, she felt butterflies in her stomach. As soon as the whistle blew, she dove into the water and focused on her strokes. She swam as fast as she could and, to her surprise, finished first. Her hard work had paid off, and she was thrilled to win the race.
Summary:
Lena was nervous before her swimming competition, but she won.
It is too short and does not include important details about her training, the competition, or her emotions.
The Statue of Liberty is one of the most famous symbols of freedom in the United States. It was a gift from France and was dedicated on October 28, 1886. The statue stands on Liberty Island in New York Harbor and is visited by millions of people each year. It represents democracy and welcomes immigrants arriving in America.
Question: Summarize this passage in 2-3 sentences.
The Statue of Liberty, a symbol of freedom and democracy, was a gift from France and was dedicated in 1886. Located on Liberty Island, it welcomes immigrants and is visited by millions of people each year.
Mia loved baking, but she had never made a cake by herself before. She carefully followed the recipe, measuring each ingredient and mixing them together. When she put the cake in the oven, she crossed her fingers, hoping it would turn out right. After waiting patiently, she took the cake out and decorated it with frosting and sprinkles. When her family tasted it, they all agreed—it was delicious!
Question: What would be a good title for this story?
Mia’s First Cake, Baking Success, The Perfect Cake
What is the theme of a story?
The central message or lesson the author wants the reader to learn.
Tom and Jake had been looking forward to their camping trip for weeks. They packed their gear, including sleeping bags, food, and flashlights, and set off on the trail. When they reached the campsite, they set up their tent and built a fire. That night, they sat under the stars, roasting marshmallows and telling spooky stories. The sounds of the forest made the stories even scarier, but they laughed and had fun. The trip was one they would always remember.
Summarize the text in 2-4 sentences.
Tom and Jake were excited for their camping trip and packed everything they needed. After setting up their campsite, they built a fire and spent the night roasting marshmallows and telling spooky stories under the stars. It was a fun and unforgettable adventure for both of them.
The Grand Canyon is one of the most famous natural landmarks in the United States. It was formed over millions of years by the Colorado River cutting through layers of rock. The canyon is about 277 miles long and over a mile deep. Many tourists visit each year to hike, take photographs, and learn about its geology and history. Scientists study the canyon to understand Earth's past, as its rock layers tell a story of ancient environments.
Summary:
The Grand Canyon is a famous landmark formed by the Colorado River over millions of years. It is very large, and both tourists and scientists visit to learn more about it.
Strong Summary – It captures the main ideas of how the Grand Canyon was formed, its size, and why it is important.
Rosa Parks is remembered for her role in the civil rights movement. In 1955, she refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her arrest led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a major protest against segregation. Parks’ bravery helped inspire the movement that eventually led to the end of segregation laws in the United States.
Question: Write a summary of this passage in 2-3 sentences.
Rosa Parks played an important role in the civil rights movement by refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in 1955. Her actions sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which helped end segregation laws in the U.S.
The sun is the center of our solar system and provides light and heat for Earth. It is a giant ball of hot gases, mostly hydrogen and helium. Without the sun, life on Earth would not exist. Scientists study the sun to learn about solar storms and how they affect our planet.
Question: What would be a good title for this passage?
The Power of the Sun, Our Solar System’s Star, The Sun’s Importance
How is central idea different from theme?
The central idea is what the text is mostly about, while the theme is the lesson or moral of the story.
Lisa had always wanted a puppy. She spent months researching different dog breeds and learning how to care for a pet. She also saved money to buy food, toys, and a bed. To prove she was responsible, she completed all her chores and even helped her younger brother with his homework. Finally, after months of waiting, her parents took her to adopt a golden retriever named Max. Lisa was overjoyed and promised to take great care of her new furry friend.
Summarize the text in 2-4 sentences.
Lisa really wanted a puppy, so she spent months researching dog breeds and saving money for supplies. She also proved she was responsible by doing all her chores and helping her brother with homework. After showing her dedication, her parents allowed her to adopt a golden retriever named Max, and she was thrilled to finally have a pet of her own.
Nico loved soccer more than anything. He practiced every afternoon, working on his footwork and passing skills. He dreamed of joining the school team, but he was nervous about tryouts. When the day arrived, he played his best, scoring two goals during the scrimmage. The coach was impressed and added Nico to the team. Nico was overjoyed that his hard work had led to success.
Summary:
Nico practiced soccer a lot, and when he tried out for the team, he made it.
Weak Summary – It lacks detail about his emotions, his hard work, and how he performed in tryouts.
Tornadoes are powerful storms that form when warm, moist air meets cool, dry air. They create a spinning column of air that touches both the ground and the clouds. Tornadoes can cause severe damage, destroying homes and trees in their path. Scientists use special tools like Doppler radar to track tornadoes and warn people before they strike.
Question: Summarize this passage in 2-3 sentences.
Tornadoes form when warm, moist air meets cool, dry air, creating a spinning column that reaches the ground. They can cause severe destruction, but scientists use Doppler radar to track them and issue warnings.
Jordan was excited to play in his first soccer game. He had practiced for weeks, improving his passing and shooting skills. When the game started, he felt nervous but focused. In the last few minutes, the ball came to him, and he took a shot. The ball soared into the goal, winning the game for his team!
Question: What would be a good title for this story?
Jordan’s Big Game, The Winning Goal, Soccer Star
What does it mean to retell a story?
To tell the story again in your own words, including the beginning, middle, and end.
Kevin had a big test coming up in math. Instead of playing video games, he decided to spend extra time studying. Every evening, he practiced problems, reviewed notes, and asked his teacher for help when he didn’t understand something. On the day of the test, he felt prepared and confident. When he got his grade back, he was proud to see he had earned an A. His hard work and dedication had paid off.
Summarize the text in 2-4 sentences.
Kevin had an important math test coming up, so he decided to focus on studying instead of playing video games. He practiced every night, reviewed his notes, and asked his teacher for help when needed. Because of his dedication, he felt confident on test day and was proud when he received an A.
Bees are important pollinators that help plants grow by transferring pollen from one flower to another. Without bees, many crops, such as apples, almonds, and blueberries, would struggle to grow. Unfortunately, bee populations are declining due to habitat loss, pesticides, and disease. Scientists and farmers are working on solutions, such as planting more flowers and reducing pesticide use, to help protect bees.
Summary:
Bees help plants grow by pollinating flowers. Many crops depend on them, but their population is decreasing. Scientists and farmers are trying to help.
Strong Summary – It includes the main idea (bees are important pollinators), a key problem (population decline), and efforts to help.
Mount Everest is the tallest mountain in the world, standing at 29,032 feet. It is located in the Himalayas between Nepal and Tibet. Climbing Everest is extremely challenging due to freezing temperatures, strong winds, and thin air. Despite these dangers, thousands of climbers attempt to reach the summit each year. Only the most experienced and well-prepared climbers can complete the journey safely.
Question: Write a summary of this passage in 2-3 sentences.
Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, is located in the Himalayas between Nepal and Tibet. Climbing it is very difficult due to harsh weather and thin air, but many climbers attempt to reach the summit each year.
Honeybees are important pollinators that help plants grow by transferring pollen between flowers. They live in large colonies, each with a queen, worker bees, and drones. Worker bees collect nectar to make honey, which helps feed the hive. Bees are vital to the environment, but their population is declining due to habitat loss and pesticides.
Question: What would be a good title for this passage?
The Busy Life of Bees, Why Bees Matter, Honeybees and Pollination
What are supporting details, and why are they important?
They are facts, examples, or reasons that help explain or prove the central idea.
Mia noticed her neighborhood park was covered in trash. The swings were broken, and the grass was overgrown. She decided to organize a cleanup day and made posters to invite others to help. With the support of her friends and neighbors, they picked up trash, fixed the swings, and planted flowers. By the end of the day, the park looked beautiful again. Mia felt proud that she had made a difference in her community.
Summarize the text in 2-4 sentences.
Mia saw that her neighborhood park was dirty and needed repairs, so she organized a cleanup day. She invited her friends and neighbors to help, and together they picked up trash, fixed the swings, and planted flowers. By the end of the day, the park looked much better, and Mia was proud of her efforts to improve her community.
Maria’s little brother, Ben, was scared of thunderstorms. Every time the sky darkened, he ran to hide under his bed. Maria wanted to help him, so she checked out books about storms from the library. She taught Ben how lightning and thunder worked and reassured him that storms were normal. The next time a storm came, Ben still felt a little nervous, but he stayed with Maria and listened to her explain. Over time, he became less afraid and even started watching storms from the window.
Summary:
Maria’s brother was scared of storms, but she helped him learn about them so he wouldn’t be afraid.
Strong Summary – It clearly explains the problem (Ben’s fear), Maria’s actions (teaching him about storms), and the result (he became less afraid).
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest rainforest in the world and is home to millions of plant and animal species. It produces about 20% of the world's oxygen and plays a key role in the Earth’s climate. Unfortunately, deforestation is a major problem, as trees are being cut down for farming and development. Scientists and conservationists are working to protect the rainforest by promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness.
Question: Summarize this passage in 2-3 sentences.
The Amazon Rainforest is the largest in the world and is home to many species. It helps produce oxygen and affects the Earth's climate, but deforestation threatens it. Conservationists are working to protect it through sustainable practices.
Liam loved solving mysteries. When his neighbor’s cat went missing, he decided to investigate. He asked questions, looked for clues, and even checked the park where the cat liked to play. After searching for hours, he heard a faint meow from behind a bush. There was the cat, stuck in some branches! Liam gently freed it and returned it to his grateful neighbor.
Question: What would be a good title for this story?
Liam the Detective, The Case of the Missing Cat, A Mystery Solved