Question 1
Which of the following is NOT a feature of a good summary according to the study material?
Strand 2 · Reading
English Language Year 3 Learner Material, Section 4: Intonation in Conversation and Summary Writing Techniques
A summary is a brief statement that presents the main ideas of a longer text. It does not include unnecessary details, personal opinions or examples. A good summary is clear, concise and objective.
Some Reasons for Summary Writing
₁. To show understanding of a given passage or information
2. To communicate essential points without repetition or wordiness
3. To test reading and analytical skills in comprehension
4. To develop the ability to write clearly and concisely Key Features of a Good Summary ₁. A good summary is short but complete, covering only the key points.
2. It is easy to understand, with well-organised ideas.
3. A good summary conveys the original message correctly.
4. It does not include your opinion, feelings or extra information.
5. A good summary is written in your own language, not copied from the text of the original.
Here are some Techniques to help you write an Effective Summary ₁. Read carefully the passage once to get the general idea.
2. Read again, this time slowly and attentively, to understand the details.
3. Look for topic sentences and key points in each paragraph.
4. Underline or highlight the most important information.
5. Organise the points in a logical order (usually the order of the passage).
6. Use your own words to express the original ideas.
7. Present the main points in a logical and connected manner.
8. Keep your language simple and direct.
9. Use short, precise expressions to stay within the limit.
10. Read through your summary to make sure it makes sense.
11. Check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
12. Ensure that it reflects the original passage without distortion.
Avoid the following when writing a summary ₁. Avoid rewriting the whole passage
2. Do not include personal opinions or examples
3. Do not repeat the same point in different words
4. Avoid lifting phrases directly from the passage (unless unavoidable).
5. Avoid using examples, illustrations and minor details Carefully follow the techniques mentioned above to help you produce accurate and effective summaries that reflect the main ideas of any passage.
Activity 4.4 Answering Summary Passage
Read the passage below in your study group and answer the questions under it.
Poor sanitation remains a major problem in many developing countries. It leads to the spread of dangerous diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea. When people do not have access to clean toilets, safe drinking water, and proper waste disposal systems, germs multiply easily and contaminate the environment. Children and the elderly are the most affected because their immune systems are weaker, making them more vulnerable to infections.
In many communities, open defecation is still practised, especially in rural areas.
This habit contributes to polluted water sources and unclean surroundings. In urban areas, overflowing drains and littered streets create breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests. The result is an increase in malaria, respiratory problems, and other health issues. Poor sanitation not only harms health but also affects productivity, as sick people cannot work or attend school regularly.
Solving sanitation problems requires cooperation among governments, local authorities, and citizens. Investment in public toilets, waste management systems, and clean water projects can bring lasting improvements. People must also be educated on the importance of good hygiene practices, such as handwashing and proper waste disposal. With consistent effort and awareness, the negative effects of poor sanitation can be greatly reduced.
Tasks
a. Discuss what the passage is about with your group members.
b. In three sentences, discuss and write the negative effects of poor sanitation.
c. In two sentences, identify two ways to solve the problem of poor sanitation
English Language Year 3 Learner Material, Section 10: Stress, Polysyllabic Words and Answering Summary Questions
In section 4, you were introduced to some important techniques for writing good summaries. You learned how to skim and scan a passage, identify the main idea, pick out key points, write clearly and briefly and avoid adding your own opinion. You also learned how to restate ideas in your own words.
Refer to section 4 to help you revise those techniques. Before you attempt the summary
activities at the end of this section, make sure you go through the techniques carefully.
They will guide you to write an accurate and well-structured summary.
Always remember: a summary is not about copying or rewriting everything. It is about showing that you understand the main message of the passage and can express it clearly using fewer words.
Now, go through the techniques again, then use them to answer the summary passage that follows.
Activity 10.4 Answering Summary Questions
Youth unemployment has become one of the biggest challenges facing Ghana today.
Many young people complete secondary and tertiary education but are unable to find decent jobs. This growing problem affects individuals, families and the nation as a whole.
There are several causes of youth unemployment. One major cause is the mismatch between the skills young people acquire in school and the needs of the job market.
Many employers say that graduates lack practical skills and work experience. Another reason is the limited number of job opportunities, especially in the formal sector.
Even when job openings exist, competition is very high and only a few applicants are selected.
The situation is worse in rural areas, where young people often migrate to cities in search of better opportunities. Unfortunately, most of them end up doing menial jobs or staying unemployed. This leads to frustration and sometimes involvement in crime or social vices such as fraud and drug use.
To solve the problem, the government and private organisations have introduced initiatives such as youth employment programmes and skills training centres.
However, many of these programmes face challenges such as a lack of funding, poor planning, and limited reach. More needs to be done to support young people to become self-employed or gain access to sustainable jobs.
Youth unemployment remains a major concern in Ghana. It affects national development and the future of the country’s workforce. To address this issue effectively, all stakeholders, the government, private sector and educational institutions must work together to create more job opportunities and equip the youth with relevant skills for the world of work.
Tasks
1. In groups of four, read the introduction and concluding paragraphs to guess what the passage is about.
2. Pair with a friend and read the passage closely again to gain a better understanding.
3. With your friend, identify extra details and examples that are not necessary for understanding the main ideas/points in each paragraph.
4. Pair with your friend again and summarise each paragraph into one or two clear sentences.
5. In one sentence, state the major cause of youth unemployment.
6. In two sentences, one for each state the effect of youth unemployment.
Which of the following is NOT a feature of a good summary according to the study material?
Kofi is writing a summary of a 500-word passage. He copies several long phrases directly from the passage and also adds his own opinion. Which pair of rules is he breaking?
After reading a passage once to get the general idea, what should a student do next when preparing a summary?
Read the paragraph and choose the best summary. Poor sanitation remains a major problem in many developing countries. It leads to the spread of dangerous diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea. When people do not have access to clean toilets, safe drinking water, and proper waste disposal systems, germs multiply easily and contaminate the environment. Children and the elderly are the most affected because their immune systems are weaker.
Read this extract: Youth unemployment has become one of the biggest challenges facing Ghana today. One major cause is the mismatch between the skills young people acquire in school and the needs of the job market. Another reason is the limited number of job opportunities. To solve the problem, the government and private organisations have introduced initiatives such as youth employment programmes and skills training centres, but more needs to be done. Which option best summarises the main message of the extract?