Summarising non-fiction main ideas · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.
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Summarizing non-fiction texts

English · Reading Comprehension · ages 10-11
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. How is a summary of an article different from the article itself?

    • It adds the reader's own opinions to all the article's main ideas
    • It repeats the whole article word for word without leaving anything out
    • It is shorter and covers the main ideas

  2. Which question helps you find a section's main idea?

    • How many words are used in this section?
    • What big point do this section's details explain?
    • Do I agree with every sentence in this section?

  3. An article has three sections. Which approach helps you find its main ideas for a summary?

    • Count the headings and give every heading a different idea.
    • Read each section and check which big ideas its details explain.
    • Copy an opening sentence without reading the rest of each section.

  4. What do supporting key details do?

    • They explain or support a main idea.
    • They make the main idea unnecessary to understand.
    • They require readers to agree with every sentence.

  5. An article section's main idea is 'Walking to school helps kids stay healthy.' Which detail best supports it?

    • Crossing guards help children cross busy streets safely before school
    • Walking gives kids exercise before classes begin
    • Some children live close enough to walk all the way to school

  6. Four sections cover these ideas: sections 1 and 2 explain pollination; section 3 explains colony life; section 4 explains collecting food. After combining the repeated pollination idea, how many different main ideas remain?

    Answer: ______________

  7. Read this section: 'Many schools start the day with a morning meeting. These meetings help the class feel like a team. Students greet each other, share news, and plan the day together.' What is the main idea?

    • Many schools start the day with a morning meeting
    • Students greet each other, share news, and plan the day
    • Morning meetings help the class feel like a team

  8. A summary of a long article should include every small detail from every section.

    Circle one:   True   False

  9. Jake wrote: 'The text says whales migrate long distances, and I think that is incredible.' Which revision keeps the reported idea without adding a judgment or new information?

    • The article explains that whales travel long distances during migration.
    • The article explains that whales make incredible journeys during migration.
    • The article explains that whales travel long distances to escape cold water.

  10. A section's main idea is 'Libraries lend more than books.' Look at three details: 'Many libraries lend tools like drills and sewing machines.' 'Some libraries lend passes to local museums.' 'The library on Elm Street is painted blue.' Which detail does NOT support the main idea?

    • Many libraries lend tools like drills and sewing machines
    • Some libraries lend passes to local museums
    • The library on Elm Street is painted blue
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Summarizing non-fiction texts W1-mt_XnRhhEqJLJ-s1

  1. It is shorter and covers the main ideas · A summary gives a shorter account of the main ideas in your own words, without adding your personal opinions.
  2. What big point do this section's details explain? · The main idea is the big point developed by the details, not a word count or your agreement.
  3. Read each section and check which big ideas its details explain. · Read the sections to identify their big points. Sections may repeat an idea or develop different ideas.
  4. They explain or support a main idea. · Supporting details explain a big point through information such as examples and reasons.
  5. Walking gives kids exercise before classes begin · Exercise directly explains a health benefit of walking. The other details concern road crossings and distance from school.
  6. 3 · Pollination counts once. Colony life and collecting food add two different ideas, giving three.
  7. Morning meetings help the class feel like a team · The first sentence just sets the scene and the last one lists what happens. The middle sentence is what it all adds up to.
  8. False · A summary keeps main ideas and useful key details. It leaves out minor details to remain shorter than the article.
  9. The article explains that whales travel long distances during migration. · The revision about travelling long distances keeps the reported idea. 'Incredible' retains a judgment, and escaping cold water adds a reason not supplied.
  10. The library on Elm Street is painted blue · Tools and museum passes are both things libraries lend besides books. A blue wall says nothing about lending.
Worksheet · LightMySky