Summary Writing is one of 9 topics in the Grade 12 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. The first step in summary writing should be to:
Read the summary instruction closely to know exactly what focus is required
Immediately start writing without reading the instruction
Copy the entire passage word for word
Count the words in the passage
Answer: Read the summary instruction closely to know exactly what focus is required — Reading the instruction closely first ensures the learner knows the specific focus required, since instructions often restrict the summary to a particular aspect of the passage.
Easy
2. If an instruction asks to "summarise the REASONS for the decline in bee populations," information about the EFFECTS of the decline should be:
Left out of the summary, since it falls outside the specific instruction
Included in full detail, since it is interesting
Placed at the very start of the summary
Repeated multiple times for emphasis
Answer: Left out of the summary, since it falls outside the specific instruction — Any information falling outside the specific focus given in the instruction, even if interesting, should not be included in the summary.
Medium
3. What should a learner distinguish a main point from, when identifying relevant summary content?
Answer: An example or illustration of the same idea — Learners must distinguish a main point from an example, illustration or restatement of the same idea, since only the main point itself needs recording, not every example given.
