Summarizing Fiction

The definition of a summary is a retelling of the whole story in my own words.

• True
• False

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

A summary should not include the main character or their role in the book.

• True 
• False

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CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

One day Mary was walking to school in her beautiful new red dress. As she was walking she tripped and fell into the mud. Her dress was soaked and all dirty. Mary began to cry and ran home. She knocked on the door and her mother let her in. Mary changed into her new blue dress and her mother drove her to school. Mary was now happy and clean and had a great day at school.

What is the best summary of the story above.

• Mary's dress got dirty when she fell walking to school. Mary went home to change and her mother drove her back to school where she had a great day despite the morning mishap.

• Mary knew her mother didn't like her red dress so she fell in the mud on the way to school. Mary got dressed and changed her clothes only to stay home from school anyway.

• Mary hated red dresses and she changed to a blue dress so she could wear it to school.

• Mary wore her favorite dress to walk to school. She fell in the mud and went back home to change to her blue dress.

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CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

An easy formula to remember for a summary is...

• Someone, Wanted, But, So, Then
• Somebody, Went, But, Somehow, Those
• Someone, Wanted, Then, End
• So, Wanted, But, Then

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Mary Anning was born May 21, 1799, in Lyme Regis, a small seaside community in Great Britain. The cliffs of Lyme Regis contain many dinosaur fossils. Mary's father, Richard, searched for fossils as a hobby. He passed on this passion to Mary and her brother Joseph.

After their father died in an accident, Mary and Joseph supported their family by selling fossils to tourists, museums, and scientists. In 1811, Joseph discovered the skull of a large dinosaur that once lived in the ocean. A year later, Mary found the rest of the skeleton. The Annings' discovery made them famous.

Which detail should be included in a summary of the article?

• Lyme Regis is a small seaside community.

• Mary Anning's father died in an accident.

• Mary Anning discovered dinosaur fossils.

• Mary Anning's birthday was May 21.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

After their father died in an accident, Mary and Joseph supported their family by selling fossils to tourists, museums, and scientists. In 1811, Joseph discovered the skull of a large dinosaur that once lived in the ocean. A year later, Mary found the rest of the skeleton. The Annings' discovery made them famous.
Which sentence best summarizes this paragraph from the article about the Anning family?  

• Mary and Joseph Annings' father died in an accident.
• Mary and Joseph Annings' fossil discoveries made them famous.
• Scientists bought fossils from Mary and Joseph Anning.
• Mary Anning found the rest of the dinosaur skeleton.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Mia watched her mother's car pull away and felt her heart sink. I can't believe she's leaving me here with my grandparents for the entire summer, she thought.
Tired from the trip, Mia brushed her teeth and went to bed. Still, she lay awake long after dark that night. Her grandparents had tried to make her feel welcome, but she still dreaded the weeks to come. The lights and sounds of the city made her feel happy and alive. She just knew that the countryside would be quiet and dull in comparison.
The next morning, Mia stood staring out the window. The sky was filled with color: streaks of the brightest yellow, orange, and pink. Her ears tuned in to the songs of birds. Mia laughed, wondering how she could ever have thought this place would be quiet and dull.
Which detail should be left out of a summary of this passage?  

• Mia is staying with her grandparents for the summer.
• Mia wishes to return to her home in the city.
• Mia realizes she was wrong about the countryside.
• Mia brushed her teeth and went to bed.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.6.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Tired from the trip, Mia brushed her teeth and went to bed. Still, she lay awake long after dark that night. Her grandparents had tried to make her feel welcome, but she still dreaded the weeks to come. The lights and sounds of the city made her feel happy and alive. She just knew that the countryside would be quiet and dull in comparison.

Which sentence best summarizes this paragraph?

• Mia worries that she will dislike the countryside.

• Mia goes to stay with her grandparents.

• Mia learns to appreciate life in the country.

• Mia goes to bed early.

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2