Choosing Best Summary Quiz

1. Passage: 'The local library opened in 2005. It holds 10,000 books and offers free computer access. I think the library is the best resource in our town.' Which sentence is the most objective summary of the facts?

The local library, which is the best resource, opened in 2005.

The library opened in 2005 and offers services including computer access and books.

The library offers free computer access, which is a wonderful benefit.

I think the library is a great place, and it opened in 2005.

Option B objectively reports the two verifiable facts (opening date and services) without adding any personal opinions or judgments (like 'best,' 'wonderful,' or 'great').

Explanation

Option B objectively reports the two verifiable facts (opening date and services) without adding any personal opinions or judgments (like 'best,' 'wonderful,' or 'great').

2. The best summary includes the main idea and the key _______ details from the passage.

A good summary must not only state the central topic but also include the most important supporting details necessary to explain the main idea.

Explanation

A good summary must not only state the central topic but also include the most important supporting details necessary to explain the main idea.

Submit

3. A summary that changes a number from the original passage (e.g., changes 500 to 5,000) is still considered accurate.

True

False

This is false. Accuracy means reporting facts and details exactly as they appear in the original text; any change to data makes the summary inaccurate.

Explanation

This is false. Accuracy means reporting facts and details exactly as they appear in the original text; any change to data makes the summary inaccurate.

4. Passage: 'The Great Wall of China is the longest man-made structure in the world. Its primary purpose was to protect Chinese states and empires against raids and invasions. It was built between the 7th century BC and the 16th century AD.' Which summary is too detailed?

The Great Wall is the longest structure built by man, used for protection, and constructed over many centuries.

The Great Wall was built over centuries to protect Chinese empires.

The passage is about the Great Wall of China.

A summary should be significantly shorter than the original text. Option B is a word-for-word copy, which is a retelling, not a concise summary.

Explanation

A summary should be significantly shorter than the original text. Option B is a word-for-word copy, which is a retelling, not a concise summary.

5. Select all the summaries that are both accurate and objective:

The new policy, which takes effect on Monday, is a terrible idea.

The new policy, which takes effect on Monday, was approved by a 5-2 vote.

The new policy will change the school schedule, according to the principal.

The principal's confusing new policy is about the school schedule.

B reports verifiable data (vote) objectively. C reports the content of the policy and the source neutrally. A and D include subjective opinions ('terrible idea,' 'confusing').

Explanation

B reports verifiable data (vote) objectively. C reports the content of the policy and the source neutrally. A and D include subjective opinions ('terrible idea,' 'confusing').

Submit

6. Passage: 'Volcanoes are mountains with openings that allow ash and lava to escape from deep beneath the Earth's surface. These openings are formed when tectonic plates collide, forcing magma upward. The eruption of Mount St. Helens in 1980 was a famous example of this power.' Which summary is too brief or incomplete?

Volcanoes are mountains with openings for ash and lava.

Volcanoes are an exciting topic.

Volcanoes are formed when tectonic plates collide.

The passage explains what volcanoes are, how they are formed, and notes a famous eruption.

Summary C is too brief because it focuses only on the formation (a single detail) and leaves out the definition and the example, which are also main points.

Explanation

Summary C is too brief because it focuses only on the formation (a single detail) and leaves out the definition and the example, which are also main points.

7. A good summary must be strictly faithful and _______ to the original text's meaning.

Fidelity to the original meaning is essential. The summary must capture exactly what the text meant, without distortion or misinterpretation.

Explanation

Fidelity to the original meaning is essential. The summary must capture exactly what the text meant, without distortion or misinterpretation.

Submit

8. A complete summary must cover all the supporting examples and tiny details mentioned in the original passage.

True

False

This is false. A summary only needs to cover the main idea and the key supporting points, omitting minor examples or small, unnecessary details.

Explanation

This is false. A summary only needs to cover the main idea and the key supporting points, omitting minor examples or small, unnecessary details.

9. Which summary best represents the entire passage without focusing on a single detail?

The passage mentions the eruption of Mount St. Helens.

The passage defines volcanoes, explains their formation by tectonic plates, and provides an example of their power.

Tectonic plates are discussed in the passage.

The passage is about mountains with openings.

Only B combines the definition, the cause, and the example, covering the three main sections of the original text, rather than just one.

Explanation

Only B combines the definition, the cause, and the example, covering the three main sections of the original text, rather than just one.

10. Select all phrases that introduce bias or opinion and should be avoided in an objective summary:

The author claims

In my honest opinion

Clearly, the facts show

This unbelievable event

In my honest opinion' is a clear subjective clue. 'Clearly' and 'unbelievable' are often used to force a conclusion or express a judgment, introducing bias.

Explanation

In my honest opinion' is a clear subjective clue. 'Clearly' and 'unbelievable' are often used to force a conclusion or express a judgment, introducing bias.

Submit

11. Passage: 'To properly save a document, first click the 'File' tab. Second, select 'Save As'. Finally, choose a location to store the file and click 'Save'.' Which is the best overall summary?

The passage explains how to correctly save a document using three simple steps.

The passage explains how to click the 'File' tab first.

You should always save your documents or you will lose your work.

The final step is to click 'Save.'

Option A is accurate, complete (covering all three steps by mentioning 'three simple steps'), and objective, making it the best overall summary.

Explanation

Option A is accurate, complete (covering all three steps by mentioning 'three simple steps'), and objective, making it the best overall summary.

12. A summary that contains the phrase 'I think' is not _______ and therefore not a good summary.

The inclusion of the summarizer's personal thoughts or feelings ('I think') violates the requirement that a summary must be objective, or free from bias.

Explanation

The inclusion of the summarizer's personal thoughts or feelings ('I think') violates the requirement that a summary must be objective, or free from bias.

Submit

13. If an original text states, 'The movie was amazing, and it made $\5 million,' an objective summary can only report the $\5 million fact.

True

False

This is false. The summary must report both the objective fact ($\5 million) and the author's stated opinion (the movie was 'amazing'), attributing the opinion to the original author, not sharing it.

Explanation

This is false. The summary must report both the objective fact ($\5 million) and the author's stated opinion (the movie was 'amazing'), attributing the opinion to the original author, not sharing it.

14. Which summary provides the best balance of conciseness and completeness?

Summary A is only one short sentence that misses a key idea.

Summary B reports every sentence of the passage in order.

Summary C is three concise sentences that cover all the main ideas and supporting facts.

Summary D only includes the concluding statement of the passage.

The best summary avoids being too short (A) or too long (B) and provides a balanced overview of the main content (C).

Explanation

The best summary avoids being too short (A) or too long (B) and provides a balanced overview of the main content (C).

15. Which are characteristics of a strong summary? (Select all that apply)

It uses the summarizer's own words.

It includes the author's opinion about the topic.

It is significantly shorter than the original text.

It focuses only on one piece of data.

A strong summary must use the writer's own words (paraphrasing) and must be much shorter than the original text (concise).

Explanation

A strong summary must use the writer's own words (paraphrasing) and must be much shorter than the original text (concise).

Submit

16. Passage: 'The school board decided to start classes 30 minutes earlier next year. Many parents argued against the change.' Which summary misrepresents a fact?

The school board will start classes 30 minutes later next year.

Classes will start 30 minutes earlier next year, a decision met with parent opposition.

The school board decided to start classes 30 minutes earlier.

Parents argued against the new class time.

The original text states classes start 30 minutes earlier. Summary A misrepresents this by saying classes will start later, making it factually inaccurate.

Explanation

The original text states classes start 30 minutes earlier. Summary A misrepresents this by saying classes will start later, making it factually inaccurate.

17. An objective summary should avoid the writer's personal _______, such as preferences or strong feelings.

To be objective, a summary must report the text's content without reflecting the writer's personal feelings, biases, or subjective interpretations.

Explanation

To be objective, a summary must report the text's content without reflecting the writer's personal feelings, biases, or subjective interpretations.

Submit

18. A summary should be short—usually about 1/3 the length of the original passage.

True

False

This is true. While the exact length varies, a good summary is typically a significant reduction of the original text, often cited as about one-third of the original length.

Explanation

This is true. While the exact length varies, a good summary is typically a significant reduction of the original text, often cited as about one-third of the original length.

19. Passage: 'The three main steps for painting a wall are: 1. Cleaning the surface. 2. Applying the primer coat. 3. Finishing with two coats of paint.' Which summary is the most complete?

The passage discusses the three main steps for painting a wall.

The passage is about cleaning the wall surface.

The passage focuses on cleaning, priming, and finishing a wall, which are the main steps for painting.

The passage explains how to apply the primer coat and finish the wall.

Summary C is the most complete because it names the main idea (painting steps) and explicitly lists all three key actions (cleaning, priming, finishing).

Explanation

Summary C is the most complete because it names the main idea (painting steps) and explicitly lists all three key actions (cleaning, priming, finishing).

20. Select the summaries that fail to be the best choice due to inaccuracy or opinion:

The new budget is too low, and it was approved last week.

The new budget, which was approved last week, totals $\5 million.

The new budget totals $\50 million, not $\5 million as stated in the text.

The new budget will certainly fail because it is too small.

A and D fail due to subjective opinion clues ('too low,' 'will certainly fail'). C fails due to being factually inaccurate (it contradicts the original text's number).

Explanation

A and D fail due to subjective opinion clues ('too low,' 'will certainly fail'). C fails due to being factually inaccurate (it contradicts the original text's number).

Submit

Synthesis Skills: Choosing the Best Summary for a Passage Quiz