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SATs practice · Year 6Chapter 6 · Summarising main ideas
Year 6 · Chapter 6

Summarising main ideas

By the end of this chapter you will be able to

  • Find the sentence that gives the main idea of a paragraph
  • Choose the key details that support the main idea, and leave out minor details
  • Choose the three statements that summarise the whole text
  • Put the main points of a text into the order of the text
  • Write a short summary of a paragraph or text within a word limit, and check it against a checklist

You should already know

  • Finding information and key details in a text (Chapter 1 of this book)
  • Judging statements against the text (Chapter 3 of this book)

Where this leads

  • The practice papers, which mix all these skills (Chapters 7 to 9 of this book)

KS2 SATs practice for reading (Year 6). Original questions in the style of the national tests. Content: Identify the main idea of a paragraph, and of a whole text, from more than one paragraph (Y5-6 reading, R8), Find the key details that support the main idea, and leave out minor details and repetition (Y5-6 reading, R8), Put the main points of a text into the order of the text, and write a short summary within a word limit (Y5-6 reading, R8).

Exercise P  Do you remember?

1
FWrite the word that means the important idea that a paragraph is about. Write one word.
2
FWrite the word that means to shorten a text into its main points, in your own words. Write one word.
3
FWhich word is a conjunction in this sentence: Jun helped, and Grandad watered the soil.? Write the word only.
4
FWrite the word that means a short detail that proves or supports a main point. Write one word.
5
FWhich word is an adjective in this sentence: The allotment was tucked behind the railway.? Write the word only.
6.1

The main idea of a paragraph

Year 6
Identify the main idea of a paragraph, and find the sentence that gives it (Y5-6 reading, R8)
Video lesson: The main idea of a paragraphComing soon

This is practice material, not the official test.

Every text and question in this book was written for practice. It is not a real test paper, and the marks, the timing and the question types are a practice guide only.

Story. A school asks pupils to summarise a leaflet about plastic bottles. Each paragraph has one main idea, and a summary must start from it.

An information text about plastic bottles. Each paragraph has one main idea, and it is numbered 1 to 4.

1Plastic bottles are everywhere. Plastic is light, cheap and useful, which is why so many bottles are sold each year. Many are thrown away instead of recycled, and plastic can take a very long time to break down. This makes plastic waste a serious problem for the environment. Councils, schools and businesses all have a part to play in tackling it.

2Recycling is one answer. When bottles are collected, they are washed, shredded into small flakes and melted. The flakes can then be made into new bottles, clothing fibres or park benches. This saves the raw materials that would otherwise be needed to make new plastic. Plastic collected from homes is sorted by type first, because different plastics must be melted separately. Some bottles are even made into fleece jackets, which keep people warm in winter.

3Recycling is not the only option. Some companies are designing bottles that use less plastic, so that less material is needed. Others are testing bottles made partly from plants. Each of these ideas has advantages and limits, so the best solution often uses several of them together. Designers must test every new bottle to make sure it is strong enough to carry drinks safely.

4Everyone can help. Rinse bottles before putting them in the recycling bin, and choose refillable bottles where you can. Small changes, repeated by many people, make a large difference. Asking a shop for a refill is one simple example. Even a small action, such as carrying a reusable bottle, can prevent many bottles from being thrown away.

The main idea of a paragraph is what the whole paragraph is about. It is often in the first sentence, but not always. The other sentences give details that support the main idea.

Key ideas

  • The main idea covers the whole paragraph, not one detail.
  • Key details support the main idea; they do not replace it.
  • Check your main idea against every sentence in the paragraph.
Worked example 6.1.1
What is the main idea of paragraph 2? Choose the best sentence from the text: Recycling is one answer.

Method. Read the whole paragraph, and find the idea that all the sentences support.

  1. Read the paragraph. It explains what happens to recycled bottles.
    what happens to recycled bottles
  2. Find what all sentences support. Every sentence explains how recycling works.
    how recycling works
  3. Choose the main idea. Recycling is one answer, which introduces the whole paragraph.
    Recycling is one answer.
  4. Write the answer.
    Recycling is one answer.

Check. The sentence introduces the whole paragraph. ✓

Worked example 6.1.2
What is the main idea of paragraph 4? Choose the best statement.

Method. Find the idea that the whole paragraph supports.

  1. Read the paragraph. The paragraph gives advice on rinsing and choosing bottles.
    Rinse bottles
  2. Find the common idea. Each piece of advice is a small change that anyone can make.
    small changes
  3. Write the main idea. Everyone can help by making small changes.
    Everyone can help by making small changes.
  4. Write the answer.
    Everyone can help by making small changes.

Check. The advice all supports this idea. ✓

Worked example 6.1.3
What is the main idea of paragraph 1? Write it in your own words.

Method. Read the paragraph and say what it is mainly about.

  1. Read the paragraph. It talks about bottles thrown away and plastic that lasts a long time.
    thrown away
  2. Find the idea. The paragraph says the waste is a serious problem.
    serious problem
  3. Write the main idea. Plastic waste is a serious environmental problem.
    serious environmental problem
  4. Write the answer.
    plastic waste is a serious environmental problem

Check. The idea covers the whole paragraph. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: a striking detail is not always the main idea. Ask what all the sentences are about together.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to read one paragraph and to say the main idea in five words or fewer.

Exercise 6A  Practice: the main idea of a paragraph

1
FWhich sentence best gives the main idea of paragraph 1? Choose one: Plastic waste is a serious problem for the environment. / Bottles come in many colours. / Plastic was once cheap to make..
2
FWhich sentence best gives the main idea of paragraph 2? Choose one: Recycling turns old bottles into new products. / Bottles are washed at home in a sink. / Bottles should never be melted..
3
FWhich sentence best gives the main idea of paragraph 3? Choose one: Companies are finding other ways to reduce plastic. / Companies have stopped making bottles. / Plants grow faster in bottles..
4
FWhich sentence best gives the main idea of paragraph 4? Choose one: Everyone can help by making small changes. / Only councils can solve the problem. / Recycling bins should be bigger..
5
FWhich sentence in paragraph 1 is a key detail that supports the main idea? Choose one: Many are thrown away instead of recycled. / Plastic waste is a serious problem for the environment. / Bottles are sold in many shops..
6
FWhich sentence in paragraph 2 gives a detail, rather than the main idea? Choose one: Recycling is one answer. / The flakes can then be made into new bottles, clothing fibres or park benches. / Recycling turns old bottles into new products..
7
FTick two key details that support the main idea of paragraph 2. Tick two boxes: they are washed, shredded into small flakes and melted / they can be made into new bottles, clothing fibres or park benches / bottles are sold in many colours / Recycling is one answer.
8
FTick two key details that support the idea of paragraph 4. Tick two boxes: Rinse bottles before putting them in the recycling bin / choose refillable bottles where you can / bottles are sold in many colours / plastic was invented long ago.
9
PSTick two key details that support the idea that companies are looking for other options. Tick two boxes: Some companies are designing bottles that use less plastic / Others are testing bottles made partly from plants / bottles are sold in pairs / plastic is very cheap.
10
FWhich paragraph says what everyone can do to help? Write the paragraph number.
11
FWhich sentence best gives the main idea of paragraph 3? Choose one: The storm damaged the young pumpkin plant. / Jun planted seeds in the spring. / Grandad bought a new spade..
12
FWhich sentence best gives the main idea of paragraph 5? Choose one: Other allotment holders helped Jun save the plant. / Mrs Patel sold pumpkins at the market. / Jun went home early..
6.2

Key details that support the idea

Year 6
Find the key details that support the main idea, and leave out minor details and repetition (Y5-6 reading, R8)
Video lesson: Key details that support the ideaComing soon
Story. Jun and her grandad are working on the allotment. Some details in the story matter for the main idea, and some are only background. Find the key details.

A story about a girl and her grandad on an allotment. Each paragraph is numbered 1 to 6.

1Every Saturday, Jun helped her grandad on his allotment. The plot was tucked behind the railway, and its soil was dark and crumbly. Grandad grumbled about the weather, but he never missed a morning. He had been growing vegetables on the plot for over thirty years.

2This year, Jun had planted a pumpkin seed in a pot on the windowsill. It sprouted quickly, and by May it had grown into a green shoot with two broad leaves. She watered it every evening, and she talked to it when nobody was listening.

3In July, the shoot was moved to the plot. Jun dug a hole, added compost, and set the plant carefully into the earth. That night a storm tore through the village, and the next morning the vine lay flat and torn.

4Jun wanted to give up. Grandad said nothing at first. Then he pulled on his gloves, and together they tied the stems to a stake, pulled out the broken leaves, and watered the soil. Jun sat on an upturned bucket and stared at the damage for a long time.

5Other allotment holders came over to help. Mrs Patel brought some netting to keep off the pigeons, and Mr Okoro showed Jun how to pinch out the side shoots. Slowly the plant began to recover.

6By October, the pumpkin was as big as a football. Jun carried it home in a wheelbarrow, and she felt proud, not just of the pumpkin, but of the people who had helped her keep going. Grandad smiled quietly, as he always did when something had gone well.

A key detail is a fact that supports the main idea. A minor detail is interesting, but does not change the main idea. A good summary keeps the key details and leaves out the minor ones.

Key ideas

  • Key details support the main idea and are needed in a summary.
  • Minor details and repetition are left out of a summary.
  • Ask: would the main idea still make sense without this detail?
Worked example 6.2.1
In paragraph 3, is the next morning the vine lay flat and torn a key detail or a minor detail for the main idea of the storm?

Method. Ask whether the main idea needs this detail.

  1. Find the detail. The vine lay flat and torn after the storm.
    the vine lay flat and torn
  2. Test it against the main idea. The main idea is that the storm damaged the plant, and this shows the damage.
    shows the damage
  3. Judge the detail. Without it, the storm would not be shown to do harm, so it is a key detail.
    a key detail
  4. Write the answer.
    a key detail

Check. The detail shows the harm the storm did. ✓

Worked example 6.2.2
Is Grandad grumbled about the weather a key detail for the story’s main idea?

Method. Ask whether the main idea still makes sense without this detail.

  1. Find the detail. Grandad grumbled about the weather.
    Grandad grumbled
  2. Test it against the main idea. The story is about growing and saving the pumpkin, which does not need this.
    does not need this
  3. Judge the detail. It is a minor detail, so a summary can leave it out.
    a minor detail
  4. Write the answer.
    a minor detail

Check. The main idea does not need the detail. ✓

Worked example 6.2.3
Which detail shows that the helpers gave practical help? Write one.

Method. Find a detail that shows a practical action.

  1. Find the helpers. Mrs Patel and Mr Okoro helped Jun.
    Mrs Patel
  2. Find an action. Mrs Patel brought netting; Mr Okoro showed her how to pinch out shoots.
    brought some netting
  3. Write the detail. The netting is a practical act of help.
    Mrs Patel brought some netting to keep off the pigeons
  4. Write the answer.
    Mrs Patel brought some netting to keep off the pigeons

Check. The detail shows practical help. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: a detail that is vivid is not always key. Check whether the main idea needs it.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to read a story and name the two most important details, and the one detail that could be left out.

Exercise 6B  Practice: key details and minor details

1
FWhich detail in paragraph 1 supports the idea that Grandad was committed to the allotment? Choose one: he never missed a morning / the soil was dark and crumbly / Jun had a bike.
2
FWhich detail in paragraph 2 shows that Jun cared for the plant? Choose one: She watered it every evening. / It was planted in a pot. / It had two broad leaves..
3
FWhich detail in paragraph 3 shows how badly the storm hurt the plant? Choose one: the vine lay flat and torn / Jun dug a hole / compost was added.
4
FTick two details that show Grandad helped Jun carry on. Tick two boxes: Then he pulled on his gloves / together they tied the stems to a stake / Jun wanted to give up / Grandad grumbled about the weather.
5
FTick two details that show the helpers gave practical help. Tick two boxes: Mrs Patel brought some netting to keep off the pigeons / Mr Okoro showed Jun how to pinch out the side shoots / Grandad grumbled about the weather / the pumpkin was as big as a football.
6
FCopy the words from paragraph 5 that show the plant began to get better.
7
FCopy the words from paragraph 3 that say what some companies are doing.
8
FWhich detail in paragraph 4 explains why small changes matter? Choose one: Small changes, repeated by many people, make a large difference. / Bins are often blue. / Bottles can be refillable..
9
PSTick two details that show Jun was proud. Tick two boxes: she felt proud, not just of the pumpkin / Jun carried it home in a wheelbarrow / Grandad grumbled about the weather / the pumpkin was as big as a football.
10
FCopy the words from paragraph 1 that show the waste is hard to remove.
11
FWhich detail in paragraph 6 shows the pumpkin had grown well? Choose one: By October, the pumpkin was as big as a football. / Jun went to the shop. / It was cold in the shed..
12
FWrite one key detail from paragraph 2 about where the seed was planted.
6.3

Summarising the whole text

Year 6
Identify the main idea of a whole text, from more than one paragraph (Y5-6 reading, R8)
Video lesson: Summarising the whole textComing soon
Story. Two readers judge statements about the story and the leaflet. A good summary covers the whole text, and a wrong summary leaves out or changes a main point.

A story about a girl and her grandad on an allotment. Each paragraph is numbered 1 to 6.

1Every Saturday, Jun helped her grandad on his allotment. The plot was tucked behind the railway, and its soil was dark and crumbly. Grandad grumbled about the weather, but he never missed a morning. He had been growing vegetables on the plot for over thirty years.

2This year, Jun had planted a pumpkin seed in a pot on the windowsill. It sprouted quickly, and by May it had grown into a green shoot with two broad leaves. She watered it every evening, and she talked to it when nobody was listening.

3In July, the shoot was moved to the plot. Jun dug a hole, added compost, and set the plant carefully into the earth. That night a storm tore through the village, and the next morning the vine lay flat and torn.

4Jun wanted to give up. Grandad said nothing at first. Then he pulled on his gloves, and together they tied the stems to a stake, pulled out the broken leaves, and watered the soil. Jun sat on an upturned bucket and stared at the damage for a long time.

5Other allotment holders came over to help. Mrs Patel brought some netting to keep off the pigeons, and Mr Okoro showed Jun how to pinch out the side shoots. Slowly the plant began to recover.

6By October, the pumpkin was as big as a football. Jun carried it home in a wheelbarrow, and she felt proud, not just of the pumpkin, but of the people who had helped her keep going. Grandad smiled quietly, as he always did when something had gone well.

An information text about plastic bottles. Each paragraph has one main idea, and it is numbered 1 to 4.

1Plastic bottles are everywhere. Plastic is light, cheap and useful, which is why so many bottles are sold each year. Many are thrown away instead of recycled, and plastic can take a very long time to break down. This makes plastic waste a serious problem for the environment. Councils, schools and businesses all have a part to play in tackling it.

2Recycling is one answer. When bottles are collected, they are washed, shredded into small flakes and melted. The flakes can then be made into new bottles, clothing fibres or park benches. This saves the raw materials that would otherwise be needed to make new plastic. Plastic collected from homes is sorted by type first, because different plastics must be melted separately. Some bottles are even made into fleece jackets, which keep people warm in winter.

3Recycling is not the only option. Some companies are designing bottles that use less plastic, so that less material is needed. Others are testing bottles made partly from plants. Each of these ideas has advantages and limits, so the best solution often uses several of them together. Designers must test every new bottle to make sure it is strong enough to carry drinks safely.

4Everyone can help. Rinse bottles before putting them in the recycling bin, and choose refillable bottles where you can. Small changes, repeated by many people, make a large difference. Asking a shop for a refill is one simple example. Even a small action, such as carrying a reusable bottle, can prevent many bottles from being thrown away.

A summary of a whole text must cover all its main points. A statement that is true of one paragraph only is not a summary of the whole text. Check each statement against the text.

Key ideas

  • A summary covers the main points of the whole text, from more than one paragraph.
  • A statement that is false, or not in the text, is not a good summary.
  • True, false or can’t tell: judge the statement against the text.
Worked example 6.3.1
Which of these covers the whole story? A: Jun gives up. B: Jun saves her pumpkin, with help from others. Write A or B.

Method. Ask which one covers the whole story, from the first paragraph to the last.

  1. Read A. Jun does not give up; she carries on.
    does not give up
  2. Read B. The storm, the help and the pumpkin are all covered.
    the storm, the help and the pumpkin
  3. Choose the summary. B covers the whole story.
    B
  4. Write the answer.
    B

Check. B covers the whole story. ✓

Worked example 6.3.2
Is this a fair summary of the leaflet? Plastic bottles break down in a few days. Write True, False or Can’t tell.

Method. Check the statement against the text.

  1. Find the evidence. The text says plastic can take a very long time to break down.
    a very long time to break down
  2. Compare. A few days is not a very long time.
    not a few days
  3. Judge the statement. The statement is contradicted by the text.
    False
  4. Write the answer.
    False

Check. The text contradicts the statement. ✓

Worked example 6.3.3
Tick the summary that covers the whole leaflet: Plastic is cheap. or Plastic waste is a serious problem, and recycling and small changes can help. Write the second one.

Method. Choose the statement that covers all the main points.

  1. Read the first. Plastic is cheap is not a main point of the leaflet.
    not a main point
  2. Read the second. It covers the problem, recycling and small changes.
    recycling and small changes
  3. Choose the summary. The second statement covers the whole leaflet.
    the second statement
  4. Write the answer.
    Plastic waste is a serious problem, and recycling and small changes can help.

Check. The second covers the whole leaflet. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: a summary that is true of only one paragraph is not a summary of the whole text.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to say the main points of a story in order, as if telling a friend in three sentences.

Exercise 6C  Practice: summarising the whole text

1
FTick three statements that summarise the whole story. Tick three boxes: Jun grows a pumpkin, which a storm damages, and she saves it with help from others. / Jun gives up on her pumpkin after the storm. / Other allotment holders help Jun to save the plant. / Jun is proud of the pumpkin and of the people who helped her. / Grandad grows the pumpkin on his own..
2
FTick three statements that summarise the whole text. Tick three boxes: Plastic waste is a serious problem, and recycling is one answer. / Plastic bottles break down in a few days. / Companies are finding ways to use less plastic. / Everyone can help by making small changes. / Recycling bins should be painted red..
3
FWhich sentence best summarises the whole story? Choose one: Jun gives up on her allotment after a storm. / Jun helps her grandad, and her pumpkin survives a storm with help from neighbours. / Jun plants a seed that grows quickly without any problems..
4
FWhich sentence best summarises the whole text? Choose one: Plastic bottles are a serious problem, and recycling and small changes can help. / Bottles are washed, shredded and melted in a factory. / Plastic is a cheap material for park benches..
5
FIs this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: The story is mainly about a girl who wins a prize for her pumpkin.
6
FIs this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: Jun gives up on the pumpkin after the storm.
7
FIs this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: Plastic bottles break down in a few days.
8
PSIs this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: Every bottle in the text is made from plants.
9
FIs this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: Grandad helps Jun save the pumpkin.
10
FIs this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: Recycling can turn old bottles into park benches.
11
FIs this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: The text is mainly about how to grow pumpkins.
12
PSIs this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: The storm happened on the first night after the plant was moved to the plot.
6.4

Ordering the main points

Year 6
Put the main points of a text into the order of the text, to follow its structure (Y5-6 reading, R8)
Video lesson: Ordering the main pointsComing soon
Story. A pupil is asked to rebuild the order of a leaflet and a story that have been jumbled. The order of the text tells the reader what happens first, next and last.

A story about a girl and her grandad on an allotment. Each paragraph is numbered 1 to 6.

1Every Saturday, Jun helped her grandad on his allotment. The plot was tucked behind the railway, and its soil was dark and crumbly. Grandad grumbled about the weather, but he never missed a morning. He had been growing vegetables on the plot for over thirty years.

2This year, Jun had planted a pumpkin seed in a pot on the windowsill. It sprouted quickly, and by May it had grown into a green shoot with two broad leaves. She watered it every evening, and she talked to it when nobody was listening.

3In July, the shoot was moved to the plot. Jun dug a hole, added compost, and set the plant carefully into the earth. That night a storm tore through the village, and the next morning the vine lay flat and torn.

4Jun wanted to give up. Grandad said nothing at first. Then he pulled on his gloves, and together they tied the stems to a stake, pulled out the broken leaves, and watered the soil. Jun sat on an upturned bucket and stared at the damage for a long time.

5Other allotment holders came over to help. Mrs Patel brought some netting to keep off the pigeons, and Mr Okoro showed Jun how to pinch out the side shoots. Slowly the plant began to recover.

6By October, the pumpkin was as big as a football. Jun carried it home in a wheelbarrow, and she felt proud, not just of the pumpkin, but of the people who had helped her keep going. Grandad smiled quietly, as he always did when something had gone well.

An information text about plastic bottles. Each paragraph has one main idea, and it is numbered 1 to 4.

1Plastic bottles are everywhere. Plastic is light, cheap and useful, which is why so many bottles are sold each year. Many are thrown away instead of recycled, and plastic can take a very long time to break down. This makes plastic waste a serious problem for the environment. Councils, schools and businesses all have a part to play in tackling it.

2Recycling is one answer. When bottles are collected, they are washed, shredded into small flakes and melted. The flakes can then be made into new bottles, clothing fibres or park benches. This saves the raw materials that would otherwise be needed to make new plastic. Plastic collected from homes is sorted by type first, because different plastics must be melted separately. Some bottles are even made into fleece jackets, which keep people warm in winter.

3Recycling is not the only option. Some companies are designing bottles that use less plastic, so that less material is needed. Others are testing bottles made partly from plants. Each of these ideas has advantages and limits, so the best solution often uses several of them together. Designers must test every new bottle to make sure it is strong enough to carry drinks safely.

4Everyone can help. Rinse bottles before putting them in the recycling bin, and choose refillable bottles where you can. Small changes, repeated by many people, make a large difference. Asking a shop for a refill is one simple example. Even a small action, such as carrying a reusable bottle, can prevent many bottles from being thrown away.

A summary usually follows the order of the text. Find the point in each paragraph, then put the points in the order the text gives them.

Key ideas

  • A summary follows the order of the text.
  • Use the paragraph numbers to check the order.
  • The order of events is not always the order in which the writer tells them.
Worked example 6.4.1
Put these in the order of the text: A: Recycling is one answer. B: Plastic waste is a serious problem. Write the letters in order.

Method. Find the paragraph that each sentence comes from.

  1. Find the first sentence. Plastic waste is a serious problem in paragraph 1.
    paragraph 1
  2. Find the second sentence. Recycling is one answer in paragraph 2.
    paragraph 2
  3. Put them in order. Paragraph 1 comes before paragraph 2.
    B, A
  4. Write the answer.
    B, A

Check. The paragraph numbers give the order. ✓

Worked example 6.4.2
In the story, which happens first: the storm, or Jun wanting to give up? Write the event that comes first.

Method. Use the paragraph order to see which comes first.

  1. Find the storm. The storm is in paragraph 3.
    a storm tore through the village
  2. Find the giving up. Jun wanting to give up is in paragraph 4.
    Jun wanted to give up
  3. Compare the order. Paragraph 3 comes before paragraph 4.
    the storm
  4. Write the answer.
    the storm

Check. Paragraph 3 comes before paragraph 4. ✓

Worked example 6.4.3
In the leaflet, what comes last? Write the paragraph number.

Method. Find the last paragraph of the leaflet.

  1. Count the paragraphs. The leaflet has four paragraphs.
    four
  2. Find the last one. The last paragraph gives advice to everyone.
    Everyone can help
  3. Write the number. That is paragraph 4.
    4
  4. Write the answer.
    4

Check. Paragraph 4 is last. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: a summary must follow the text, not the order in which you remember the events.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to write the events of a story on separate cards, and to put them in the order of the text.

Exercise 6D  Practice: ordering the main points

1
FPut these events in the order they happen in the story: A the pumpkin was as big as a football by October / B a storm tore through the village / C Jun planted a seed in a pot on the windowsill / D Other allotment holders came over to help / E Jun wanted to give up. Write the letters in order, such as A, B, C.
2
FPut these main points in the order the text gives them: A Some companies are designing bottles that use less plastic. / B Recycling is one answer. / C a serious problem for the environment / D Everyone can help.. Write the letters in order, such as A, B, C.
3
FPut these actions in the order they happen in the text: A Grandad pulled on his gloves / B Jun dug a hole and planted the shoot / C Jun watered the seed every evening / D Grandad said nothing at first. Write the letters in order, such as A, B, C.
4
RPut these sentences in the order they appear in the leaflet: A Everyone can help. / B Many are thrown away instead of recycled. / C The flakes can then be made into new bottles. / D Others are testing bottles made partly from plants. / E Rinse bottles before putting them in the recycling bin.. Write the letters in order, such as A, B, C.
5
FIn the story, which paragraph describes the storm? Write the paragraph number.
6
FIn the story, which paragraph comes after paragraph 3? Write the paragraph number.
7
FIn the leaflet, which paragraph gives advice to everyone? Write the paragraph number.
8
FIn the story, which paragraph describes the pumpkin at its biggest? Write the paragraph number.
9
FWhich sentence comes last in the story’s main points? Choose one: By October, the pumpkin was as big as a football. / Jun planted a seed in a pot. / a storm tore through the village.
10
FWhich sentence best gives the main idea of paragraph 4? Choose one: Jun wanted to give up, and Grandad helped her carry on. / Grandad is a gardener by trade. / Jun likes the rain..
11
FWhich sentence in paragraph 4 comes first? Choose one: Jun wanted to give up. / Grandad said nothing at first. / Then he pulled on his gloves..
6.5

Writing a short summary within a word limit

Year 6
Write a short summary of a paragraph or text, within a word limit, that keeps the main points and leaves out minor details (Y5-6 reading, R8)
Video lesson: Writing a short summary within a word limitComing soon
Story. A pupil writes a summary of each paragraph, and then a summary of the whole text. A checklist tells the pupil whether the summary is good enough.

An information text about plastic bottles. Each paragraph has one main idea, and it is numbered 1 to 4.

1Plastic bottles are everywhere. Plastic is light, cheap and useful, which is why so many bottles are sold each year. Many are thrown away instead of recycled, and plastic can take a very long time to break down. This makes plastic waste a serious problem for the environment. Councils, schools and businesses all have a part to play in tackling it.

2Recycling is one answer. When bottles are collected, they are washed, shredded into small flakes and melted. The flakes can then be made into new bottles, clothing fibres or park benches. This saves the raw materials that would otherwise be needed to make new plastic. Plastic collected from homes is sorted by type first, because different plastics must be melted separately. Some bottles are even made into fleece jackets, which keep people warm in winter.

3Recycling is not the only option. Some companies are designing bottles that use less plastic, so that less material is needed. Others are testing bottles made partly from plants. Each of these ideas has advantages and limits, so the best solution often uses several of them together. Designers must test every new bottle to make sure it is strong enough to carry drinks safely.

4Everyone can help. Rinse bottles before putting them in the recycling bin, and choose refillable bottles where you can. Small changes, repeated by many people, make a large difference. Asking a shop for a refill is one simple example. Even a small action, such as carrying a reusable bottle, can prevent many bottles from being thrown away.

A story about a girl and her grandad on an allotment. Each paragraph is numbered 1 to 6.

1Every Saturday, Jun helped her grandad on his allotment. The plot was tucked behind the railway, and its soil was dark and crumbly. Grandad grumbled about the weather, but he never missed a morning. He had been growing vegetables on the plot for over thirty years.

2This year, Jun had planted a pumpkin seed in a pot on the windowsill. It sprouted quickly, and by May it had grown into a green shoot with two broad leaves. She watered it every evening, and she talked to it when nobody was listening.

3In July, the shoot was moved to the plot. Jun dug a hole, added compost, and set the plant carefully into the earth. That night a storm tore through the village, and the next morning the vine lay flat and torn.

4Jun wanted to give up. Grandad said nothing at first. Then he pulled on his gloves, and together they tied the stems to a stake, pulled out the broken leaves, and watered the soil. Jun sat on an upturned bucket and stared at the damage for a long time.

5Other allotment holders came over to help. Mrs Patel brought some netting to keep off the pigeons, and Mr Okoro showed Jun how to pinch out the side shoots. Slowly the plant began to recover.

6By October, the pumpkin was as big as a football. Jun carried it home in a wheelbarrow, and she felt proud, not just of the pumpkin, but of the people who had helped her keep going. Grandad smiled quietly, as he always did when something had gone well.

Summary checklist

  • Does it give the main idea of the paragraph or text?
  • Does it leave out minor details and repetition?
  • Is it within the word limit?
  • Is it in your own words, with the main points in the order of the text?

A good summary is short. It gives the main idea, the key details, and it is in your own words. It leaves out minor details and repetition, and keeps to the word limit.

Key ideas

  • Start with the main idea, then add the key details.
  • Leave out minor details and repetition.
  • Keep to the word limit, and check the count.
Worked example 6.5.1
Summarise paragraph 2 in 15 to 30 words.

Method. Write the main idea, the key details, and nothing else.

  1. Find the main idea. Recycling is one answer.
    Recycling is one answer.
  2. Add the key details. The process and the products are the key details.
    washed, shredded and melted
  3. Count the words. The summary has 23 words, which is within 15 to 30.
    23 words
  4. Write the answer.
    Recycling is one answer. Bottles are washed, shredded and melted, and the flakes can be made into new bottles, clothing or park benches.

Check. The summary keeps the main idea and is within the limit. ✓

Worked example 6.5.2
Summarise the whole leaflet in 20 to 30 words.

Method. Use the main points of each paragraph, in order.

  1. Find the main points. The problem, recycling, companies, and everyone helping.
    problem; recycling; companies; everyone
  2. Put them in order. The text follows this order.
    in order
  3. Count the words. The summary has 21 words, which is within 20 to 30.
    21 words
  4. Write the answer.
    Plastic bottles are a serious problem. Recycling helps, companies are using less plastic, and everyone can help by making small changes.

Check. The summary keeps the main points in order. ✓

Worked example 6.5.3
Which detail can be left out of a summary of paragraph 5: Mr Okoro showed Jun how to pinch out the side shoots or Other allotment holders came over to help?

Method. Ask which detail is minor, and which is the main idea.

  1. Find the main idea. Other allotment holders came over to help is the main idea.
    came over to help
  2. Find the minor detail. Pinching out shoots is a small step, a minor detail.
    a small step
  3. Choose the detail to leave out. Leave out the small step, keep the main idea.
    leave out the small step
  4. Write the answer.
    Mr Okoro showed Jun how to pinch out the side shoots

Check. The main idea is kept. ✓

Watch out

Watch out: copying whole sentences is not a summary. Use fewer words and your own phrases.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask your child to summarise a paragraph in one sentence, then to count the words and to check the checklist.

Exercise 6E  Practice: writing short summaries

1
PSSummarise paragraph 2. Use your own words, and keep to 15 to 30 words.
2
PSSummarise paragraph 3. Use your own words, and keep to 15 to 30 words.
3
PSSummarise paragraph 4 in your own words. Use your own words, and keep to 15 to 25 words.
4
PSSummarise paragraph 5. Use your own words, and keep to 15 to 25 words.
5
PSSummarise the whole text. Use your own words, and keep to 15 to 25 words.
6
PSSummarise the whole story. Use your own words, and keep to 20 to 30 words.
7
PSSummarise paragraph 1 in 15 to 25 words. Use your own words, and keep to 15 to 25 words.
8
PSSummarise paragraph 1 in 15 to 25 words. Use your own words, and keep to 15 to 25 words.
9
PSSummarise paragraph 6 in 15 to 30 words. Use your own words, and keep to 15 to 30 words.
10
RWhich summary is better for a 15 word limit? A: Jun grows a pumpkin on the allotment with her grandad, where the soil was dark and crumbly. B: Jun grows a pumpkin, which a storm damages before her neighbours help. Write A or B.

Chapter summary

SkillMethod
Main idea of a paragraphThe idea the whole paragraph is about; the details support it.
Key detailsFacts that support the main idea; leave out minor details and repetition.
Main ideas of a textThe points that cover the whole text, from the first paragraph to the last.
OrderPut the main points in the order of the text, to follow its structure.
Short summaryMain idea, key details, your own words, and within the word limit.

Can you…?

  • I can find the main idea of a paragraph, and the sentence that gives it
  • I can choose the key details that support the main idea
  • I can judge whether a statement summarises the whole text
  • I can put the main points of a text into the order of the text
  • I can write a short summary within a word limit, and check it against the checklist

Key terms

summary
a short version of a text that keeps the main points
main idea
what a paragraph or text is mainly about
key detail
a fact that supports the main idea
minor detail
a detail that does not change the main idea
word limit
the most words you are allowed to use in a summary
paragraph
a group of sentences about one idea, starting on a new line
evidence
the words in the text that support an answer

Exercise 6Z  Check-up

1
Which sentence best gives the main idea of paragraph 3? Choose one: Companies are finding other ways to reduce plastic. / Plastic is used in shoes. / Bottles are heavy..
2
Which detail in paragraph 5 shows the helpers were practical? Choose one: Mrs Patel brought some netting to keep off the pigeons. / Grandad grumbled. / The soil was crumbly..
3
Tick three statements that summarise the whole text. Tick three boxes: Plastic bottles are a problem, and recycling is one answer. / Plastic bottles are sold in many colours. / Everyone can help by making small changes. / Companies are finding other ways to reduce plastic. / Park benches are the only use for recycled bottles..
4
Is this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: Jun saves her pumpkin without any help.
5
Put these in the order they happen in the story: A Mr Okoro showed Jun how to pinch out the side shoots / B Jun planted the shoot in the plot / C Jun wanted to give up. Write the letters in order, such as A, B, C.
6
Which paragraph of the leaflet explains what happens to bottles after they are collected? Write the paragraph number.
7
Is this statement a fair summary of the text? Write True, False or Can’t tell: The leaflet says recycling is the only answer.
8
Summarise paragraph 2 in 15 to 25 words. Use your own words, and keep to 15 to 25 words.
9
Which sentence best summarises the whole text? Choose one: Everyone can help, but only councils can solve the problem. / Plastic waste is a serious problem, and recycling, new designs and small changes can help. / Bottles are washed, shredded and melted..
10
Tick two key details that support the idea that recycling helps. Tick two boxes: they are washed, shredded into small flakes and melted / bottles are sold in many colours / made into new bottles, clothing fibres or park benches / the bottles are blue.

Total 16 marks. Allow about 16 minutes.

Exercise 6X  Practice test questions

1
FA text says: When bottles are collected, they are washed, shredded into small flakes and melted. Write the main idea of this paragraph in ten words or fewer.[1 mark]
2
FA text says: Everyone can help. Rinse bottles before putting them in the recycling bin. Write one key detail that supports the main idea, Everyone can help.[1 mark]
3
FA story says: That night a storm tore through the village, and the next morning the vine lay flat and torn. Judge the statement: The storm damaged the plant. Write True, False or Can’t tell.[1 mark]
4
RA story says: Jun wanted to give up. Grandad said nothing at first. Which is the main idea of these two sentences? Choose one: Jun gives up and goes home / Jun is tempted to give up, and Grandad waits quietly / Grandad is angry with Jun.[2 marks]
5
PSA text has this paragraph: By October, the pumpkin was as big as a football. Jun carried it home in a wheelbarrow, and she felt proud. Tick the two statements that summarise the paragraph: A The pumpkin grew large. B Jun was proud of her pumpkin. C Jun is a good cook. Write the letters.[2 marks]
6
RA text has these sentences. A: Everyone can help. B: Plastic waste is a serious problem for the environment. C: Recycling is one answer. Put the letters in the order of the text.[2 marks]
7
RA story says: Other allotment holders came over to help. Mrs Patel brought some netting to keep off the pigeons, and Mr Okoro showed Jun how to pinch out the side shoots. Summarise this in 15 words or fewer.[2 marks]
8
RA story says: a storm tore through the village, Other allotment holders came over to help, and she felt proud. Write one summary sentence of 12 to 20 words that keeps these main points in order.[3 marks]
9
FA text says: This makes plastic waste a serious problem for the environment. In which paragraph of the leaflet does this sentence appear? Write the number.[1 mark]
10
FA text says: Plastic bottles are everywhere. Judge this summary of the whole leaflet: The text is mainly about how to make bottles. Write True, False or Can’t tell.[1 mark]
← Chapter 5: Language and structure: how the writer creates effectsChapter 7: Practice paper: fiction →

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