Summary Writing is one of 9 topics in the Grade 8 English Home 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 do to a longer piece of writing?
Shortens it down to only the most important ideas
Makes it longer with more detail
Copies it word for word
Removes the main idea and keeps only examples
Answer: Shortens it down to only the most important ideas — A summary shortens a longer text down to only its most important ideas, in your own words.
Easy
2. According to this lesson, should a summary mostly use your own words or copy the original text directly?
Your own words
Copy the original text directly
A mix, but mostly copied text
It does not matter either way
Answer: Your own words — Using your own words proves you have understood the text, rather than just locating and copying the right lines.
Medium
3. Name ONE type of content this lesson says you should leave out of a summary.
Answer: Descriptions — The lesson lists descriptions, repeated points, examples for interest only, and opinions (when summarising facts) as things to leave out.
