Summary Writing is one of 9 topics in the Grade 9 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 contain?
Only the main ideas of a longer text, in your own words
Every single detail from the original text
Only the examples and descriptive detail
A list of unrelated facts in random order
Answer: Only the main ideas of a longer text, in your own words — A summary condenses a text into only its main ideas, expressed in your own words.
Easy
2. Why is it important to work within the stated word or line limit of a summary question?
Markers typically only count up to the stated limit, so going over wastes effort
There is no real reason -- limits are only suggestions
Going over the limit always earns bonus marks
Summaries are never given a specific limit
Answer: Markers typically only count up to the stated limit, so going over wastes effort — Markers typically only count up to the stated limit, so content beyond it is often simply not marked.
Medium
3. According to this lesson, what question can help you find the main idea of a paragraph?
Answer: What is the one most important point this paragraph is making? — Asking what the single most important point of each paragraph is helps you identify what belongs in a summary.
