Writing Summaries

1. What is the usual length of a summary compared to the original passage?

• A) Twice the length of the original.
• B) The same length as the original.
• C) Usually one third of the original in length.
• D) Always two sentences long.

2. Why are US Robots trying to bring their robots into cities and homes, despite previously confining manufacturing to industrial models?

• A) To increase the complexity of robot brains.
• B) To test the "First Law of Robotics" in new environments.
• C) To get ordinary people to accept these robots without fear.
• D) To replace all human labor in homes and cities.

3. What is a summary defined as in the text?

• A) A direct copy of someone else's words.
• B) A restatement of someone else's words in your own words.
• C) An extensive quotation of the original text.
• D) A detailed analysis of a passage.

4. According to the text, what is one benefit of writing summaries for the reader?

• A) They provide the exact original text.
• B) They offer a concise, general version of the original information.
• C) They allow the reader to skip the original material entirely.
• D) They always include extensive quotations.

5. In the context of the Aesop's fable example, what distinguishes a 'main idea' from a 'minor idea'?

• A) Main ideas are always about the characters, while minor ideas are about the setting.
• B) Main ideas are essential to the story, while minor ideas are not necessary or essential.
• C) Main ideas are found in the first paragraph, and minor ideas are in the last.
• D) Main ideas are quoted, while minor ideas are summarized.

6. What is the primary purpose of skimming a text?

• A) To find specific information quickly.
• B) To read every word slowly and carefully.
• C) To get the overall idea or the gist of a text.
• D) To memorize the entire content.

7. What is the critical difference between skimming and scanning a text?

• A) Skimming is for pleasure reading, while scanning is for academic texts.
• B) Skimming aims for an overall idea, while scanning targets specific information.
• C) Skimming involves reading every word, while scanning involves reading only the first paragraph.
• D) Skimming is done slowly, and scanning is done rapidly.