Summary Writing is one of 9 topics in the Grade 8 English First Additional Language CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. What is a summary?
A short piece of writing that gives only the main ideas of a longer text
An exact copy of the original text
A list of every detail in a text
A text written only in bullet points
Answer: A short piece of writing that gives only the main ideas of a longer text — A summary is a short piece of writing that captures only the main ideas of a longer text.
Easy
2. Should a summary be written in the writer's OWN words or copied from the original text?
Own words
Copied directly
Either is fine
Only using quotation marks
Answer: Own words — A summary must be written in your own words; copying sentences directly is not summarising.
Medium
3. Name ONE type of information that should be LEFT OUT of a summary.
Answer: Small details — A summary leaves out small details, examples and repeated information, keeping only the main points.
