Main Idea and Summarizing

Which BEST DESCRIBES a SUMMARY?

• Main or most important idea of the text

• A really long detailed piece of writing

• A dumb thing teachers make you write

• The entire text in your own words

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.

• 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.

It started when they got to the bears. Peter felt tired and his stomach hurt. He dragged himself over to see the elephants, which were eating from a stack of hay. Normally, the elephants were his favorite. Without much interest, Peter followed his classmates to the camels, which were busy swatting flies with their tails. Peter knew he should be having fun at the zoo, but he just felt terrible and all he wanted to do was lie down and rest. Even the lions and tigers did not interest him now.

The best summary of this passage is...

• Peter's favorite animals were the elephants.

• The camels were swatting flies with their tails.

• It was really hot at the zoo.

• Peter didn't enjoy the zoo because he felt really bad.

Tomorrow is Jill's birthday. She is excited because she gets to pick where she will eat dinner. Will it be Mexican food at the Big Enchilada House? Or will it be fried chicken at the Chicken Shack, or a big cheeseburger at Al's Hamburger Palace. She just couldn't decide. Then there was always the Pizza Shop with that great pepperoni pizza. How would she ever decide? Maybe she would just flip a coin. What is the main idea of this passage?

• Jill has many restaurants to choose from for her birthday.

• Jill loves Mexican food.

• The Pizza Shop has the best pizza in town.

• Jill will choose a place by flipping a coin.

Consider the text: "A group of friends play basketball every weekend to stay fit and spend time together. They often compete in local tournaments." Which of the following best summarizes the passage?

• The friends are competitive basketball players.

• The friends play basketball to stay fit and bond.

• Local tournaments are held every weekend.

• Basketball is a popular sport among groups of friends.

Tags

DOK Level 2: Skill/Concept

Summarizing involves:

• Including every detail from the text.

• Focusing only on the main ideas and important details.

• Giving your opinion about the text.

• Copying sentences directly from the text.

What is the main idea of an article that discusses the benefits of recycling in a community where William, David, and James live?

• The process of how materials are recycled in their community.

• Recycling can significantly reduce waste and help the environment in their community.

• The history of recycling programs in various countries.

• Different ways people in their community can reduce their carbon footprint.

After reading a passage about the effects of global warming on polar bears, what would be considered the main idea?

• Polar bears are fascinating creatures.

• Global warming has a significant impact on the habitat of polar bears.

• Polar bears can swim long distances.

• The Arctic is very cold.

Which of the following would be considered a summary of a novel about a detective solving a mystery?

• The detective uses clever reasoning to solve the mystery.

• The novel is 300 pages long and was published in 2020.

• The detective is a 30-year-old man who lives in London.

• A detailed account of each clue the detective finds.

What is the main idea of a story about a young girl named Abigail who learns to play chess and eventually wins a local tournament?

• The importance of local tournaments in a community.

• The process of learning how to play chess.

• A young girl's journey from learning to winning in chess.

• The benefits of playing board games like chess.