Summary Writing is one of 8 topics in the Grade 9 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 does a summary contain?
Only the main ideas, in your own words
Every detail from the original text
Only examples and descriptive detail
A random, unconnected list of facts
Answer: Only the main ideas, in your own words — A summary shortens a text into only its main ideas, in your own words.
Easy
2. Why is it important to stay within the word or line limit given?
Markers usually only count up to the limit, so going over wastes effort
Limits are only suggestions and can be ignored
Going over the limit earns bonus marks
Summaries never have a limit
Answer: Markers usually only count up to the limit, so going over wastes effort — Markers usually only count up to the stated limit, so content beyond it is often not marked at all.
Medium
3. According to this lesson, what question can help you find the main idea in a paragraph?
Answer: What is the one most important point here? — Asking what the single most important point of the paragraph is helps identify what belongs in the summary.
