Summarizing
Text
Learn to distill any passage into its essential meaning: identify the main idea, strip away details, and select the sentence that best captures the whole.
What Is a Summary?
A summary is a short restatement of the most important ideas in a passage. It answers one core question: "What is this passage mainly about?" A good summary covers the big picture without copying exact phrases or including minor details.
Summary vs. Retelling
Why Summarizing Matters
The Summary Funnel
Anatomy of a Strong Summary
Too Broad vs. Too Narrow vs. Just Right
| Too Broad | Too Narrow | Just Right | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it does | Covers more than the passage discusses | Focuses on one detail only | Matches the passage's main idea |
| Example clue | "Animals are important to ecosystems" | "The bee's leg collects pollen" | "Bees play a vital role in pollination" |
| SSAT trap? | Yes: sounds "safe" but vague | Yes: true but incomplete | Correct answer |
The 4-Step Method
Worked Example: Easy
Worked Example: Medium
Worked Example: Hard
Signal Words That Help You Summarize
Strategy: Cover the Choices
Before reading the answer choices, cover them up (or look away) and say the summary in your own words. This prevents you from being tricked by attractive-sounding wrong answers.
Common Mistakes
Quick Reference Table
| Check | Good Summary | Weak Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Covers main idea? | Yes | No: misses it or distorts it |
| Right scope? | Matches the passage exactly | Too broad or too narrow |
| Uses passage info only? | Yes | Adds outside facts |
| Avoids minor details? | Yes | Lists specific examples |
| Own words? | Rephrases key ideas | Copies sentences directly |
Question 1 of 5
"Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles each year from Canada and the United States to central Mexico. Scientists are still studying how they navigate such long distances, but evidence suggests they use the position of the sun and Earth's magnetic field. Along the way, monarchs face many dangers, including storms, habitat loss, and pesticides."
Which sentence best summarizes this passage?
Question 2 of 5
"The Great Wall of China was built over many centuries by different dynasties. Its main purpose was to protect China from invasions by northern tribes. Although it did not always stop invaders, the Wall served as an important symbol of Chinese strength and unity. Today, it is one of the most visited landmarks in the world."
Which sentence best summarizes the passage?
Question 3 of 5
"Many people think that goldfish have a memory span of only three seconds, but this is a myth. Studies have shown that goldfish can remember things for months. In one experiment, fish learned to push a lever to get food and still remembered how to do it five months later. Goldfish can also recognize their owners and distinguish between different shapes and colors."
Which sentence best summarizes this passage?
Question 4 of 5
"In the early 1900s, very few women had the right to vote in the United States. Suffragists like Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton organized marches, gave speeches, and petitioned Congress for decades. Their efforts finally succeeded with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920, which guaranteed women the right to vote."
Which sentence best summarizes this passage?
Question 5 of 5
"Coral reefs support about 25 percent of all marine species, even though they cover less than one percent of the ocean floor. Reefs provide food and shelter for fish, crabs, and many other organisms. However, rising ocean temperatures and pollution are causing coral bleaching, a process that can kill entire reef systems. Scientists warn that without intervention, most coral reefs could disappear by 2050."
Which sentence best summarizes this passage?