Summarize Fiction

What is the best summary of the plot and theme in this paragraph? Maya had always been afraid of public speaking. When her teacher asked her to present in front of the class, she wanted to refuse. But after practicing with her friends, she found the courage to give the presentation. Even though she was nervous, Maya successfully completed the presentation and was proud of herself for overcoming her fear.

• Maya refuses to speak in class and avoids public speaking.

• Maya learns that overcoming fears can lead to personal growth, as shown by her successful presentation.

• Maya’s friends present for her, showing that teamwork is important.

• Maya decides not to practice and fails the presentation.

A brief description of a longer work such as a novel, story or poem.

• Conflict

• Summary

• Resolution

• Motivation

Read to be entertained

• Expository

• Procedural

• Persuasive

• Fiction

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.

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.
Which sentence best summarizes this paragraph?  

• Mia is staying with her grandparents for the summer.

• Mia wishes to return to her home in the city.

• Mia goes to bed early.

• Mia worries that she will dislike the countryside.

For the walls, Jenny thought she would use a bright yellow paint. She would pick a border that had mostly bright red and green colors, and maybe a little bit of blue. She already had found some curtains that were sky blue with streaks of red, blue and yellow that she thought would go great with the walls. And finally, she had picked a carpet that was mostly blue with specks of red and yellow. Jenny couldn't wait till she was done decorating her room. It was really going to look awesome.
The Summary of this passage is:

• Jenny likes bright colors.

• Jenny was going to paint her room.

• Jenny was picking out colors and materials to decorate her room.

• Yellow is a good color to paint your walls.

Right now Jason was playing right field. He really wanted to play third base. Earlier this year, coach had put him in left field and second base in a game, but never at third base. Once in practice, coach let him play third base, but he kept missing ground balls. When he did stop one, he made a bad throw to first base. Maybe if he kept practicing, Jason would be good enough to play third base. That was his dream.
The Summary of this passage is:

• Jason really wanted to play third base.

• Jason was the best player on his team.

• Jason had trouble catching ground balls.

• Jason was too lazy to practice.

What is the main purpose of a summary in fiction?

• To provide a detailed analysis of the characters

• To give a brief overview of the plot and main ideas

• To critique the author's writing style

• To list all the events in chronological order

Which of the following best describes a summary?

• A detailed description of every event in the story

• A brief statement of the main points

• An analysis of the themes and symbols

• A dialogue between characters

In the context of fiction, what does summarizing help a reader to do?

• Understand the author's background

• Identify the main themes and ideas quickly

• Memorize every character's name

• Predict the ending of the story