Grade: Grade 6 Subject: English Language Arts Unit: Summarizing Lesson: 6 of 6 SAT: Information+Ideas ACT: Reading

Unit Checkpoint

Unit Review

This checkpoint assesses everything you have learned in the Summarizing unit. Before taking the assessment, review the key concepts below.

Key Concepts to Remember

From Lesson 1: Summary Strategies

  • A summary captures the main idea and key supporting details in your own words
  • Good summaries are 1/4 to 1/3 the length of the original text
  • The SWBST method (Somebody Wanted But So Then) works well for narratives
  • Identify main ideas by asking "What is this text mostly about?"

From Lesson 2: Avoiding Plagiarism

  • Plagiarism means presenting someone else's words or ideas as your own
  • Always paraphrase by changing both words AND sentence structure
  • Use quotation marks for any exact phrases from the original
  • Cite your sources to give credit to original authors

From Lesson 3: Text Practice

  • Different text types (informational, narrative, argumentative) may need different approaches
  • Always identify the main idea before writing your summary
  • Eliminate minor details like specific names, dates, and examples unless essential

From Lesson 4: Writing Application

  • Use signal phrases to introduce summaries: "According to...", "[Author] argues..."
  • Avoid "dropped" summaries that appear without connection to your ideas
  • Integrate summaries smoothly with your own analysis and commentary
  • Use summaries to provide evidence, give context, and support claims

From Lesson 5: Editing Workshop

  • Use the editing checklist: Accuracy, Completeness, Conciseness, Paraphrasing, Flow
  • Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing
  • Use the "So What?" test to eliminate unnecessary details
  • Compare your summary to the original to check accuracy and paraphrasing

SAT/ACT Connection

Summarizing skills are tested on both standardized tests:

  • SAT Information+Ideas: Questions ask you to identify main ideas, central claims, and how authors develop arguments
  • ACT Reading: Questions test your ability to identify main ideas, summarize passages, and distinguish between main points and supporting details

Sample Test Questions

Review these examples of the types of questions you will encounter.

Example: Multiple Choice - Main Idea

Passage:

The passenger pigeon was once the most abundant bird in North America, with flocks so large they blocked out the sun for hours as they passed overhead. Estimates suggest there were 3 to 5 billion passenger pigeons in the early 1800s. However, commercial hunting and habitat destruction drove the species to extinction in just a few decades. The last known passenger pigeon, named Martha, died at the Cincinnati Zoo on September 1, 1914.

Question: Which statement best summarizes the main idea of this passage?

  1. Passenger pigeons were hunted for commercial purposes in the 1800s.
  2. Martha was the last passenger pigeon and died at the Cincinnati Zoo.
  3. The passenger pigeon went from being the most abundant bird in North America to extinction due to human activities.
  4. Passenger pigeon flocks were so large they could block out the sun.

Answer: C - This option captures the full scope of the passage (abundance to extinction) and the cause (human activities), while other options focus on details.

Example: Identify the Best Summary

Passage:

Coffee cultivation has significant environmental impacts. Traditional sun-grown coffee requires clearing forests, destroying habitats for birds and other wildlife. Coffee farms also use large amounts of water and often rely on chemical pesticides and fertilizers that can contaminate local water supplies. However, shade-grown coffee, which is cultivated under a canopy of trees, can actually support biodiversity by providing habitat for migrating birds. Choosing shade-grown coffee allows consumers to enjoy their daily cup while supporting more sustainable farming practices.

Question: Which is the best summary of this passage?

  1. Coffee farms destroy bird habitats and pollute water supplies with pesticides.
  2. Shade-grown coffee is better for the environment than sun-grown coffee because it provides bird habitats.
  3. While traditional coffee farming harms the environment through deforestation and pollution, shade-grown coffee offers a more sustainable alternative that supports wildlife.
  4. Consumers should choose shade-grown coffee because it supports migrating birds.

Answer: C - This summary includes both the problem (traditional farming's harms) and the solution (shade-grown alternative), capturing the full argument.

Unit Assessment

Complete all sections of this assessment to demonstrate your mastery of summarizing skills.

Part A: Multiple Choice (4 questions)

Question 1

Read the passage and answer the question.

The ancient city of Pompeii was buried under volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The ash preserved the city remarkably well, creating a frozen moment in time. Archaeologists have uncovered streets, homes, shops, and even food left on tables. The plaster casts of victims, created by pouring plaster into cavities left by decomposed bodies, provide haunting evidence of the disaster's human toll. Today, Pompeii is one of Italy's most popular tourist destinations and an invaluable resource for understanding Roman daily life.

Which statement best summarizes the passage?

  1. Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD and destroyed the city of Pompeii.
  2. Pompeii was preserved by volcanic ash after Vesuvius erupted, and archaeological discoveries there reveal details about Roman life and the disaster's victims.
  3. Archaeologists created plaster casts of Pompeii's victims.
  4. Pompeii is Italy's most popular tourist destination today.

Question 2

Which of the following is an example of plagiarism?

  1. Using a signal phrase to introduce someone else's ideas
  2. Copying three sentences from a source and using quotation marks
  3. Paraphrasing an author's argument without citing the source
  4. Summarizing a research study in your own words with a citation

Question 3

What is the purpose of a signal phrase when incorporating summaries into your writing?

  1. To make your writing longer
  2. To show where someone else's ideas begin
  3. To avoid using quotation marks
  4. To replace the need for citations

Question 4

Read the original text and the summary. What is the main problem with this summary?

Original: "Scientists have discovered that octopuses can solve complex puzzles, use tools, and even recognize individual human faces. Studies suggest they may be among the most intelligent invertebrates on Earth."

Summary: "Octopuses are definitely the smartest animals in the ocean and probably smarter than most mammals too."

  1. The summary is too long
  2. The summary adds claims not supported by the original
  3. The summary uses too many direct quotes
  4. The summary leaves out important details

Part B: Short Answer (4 questions)

Question 5

Explain what SWBST stands for and when you would use this method.

Question 6

List three criteria from the Summary Editing Checklist and explain why each is important.

Question 7

What is a "dropped" summary, and how can you fix it?

Question 8

Explain the difference between quoting and paraphrasing. When might you choose one over the other?

Part C: Summary Writing (4 questions)

Question 9: Informational Text Summary

Read the passage and write a summary in 2-3 sentences.

The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in December 2021, is the most powerful space telescope ever built. Its primary mirror is 6.5 meters wide, compared to the Hubble telescope's 2.4 meters, allowing it to collect much more light from distant objects. The telescope observes primarily in infrared light, which allows it to see through cosmic dust clouds and detect heat from objects too cool to emit visible light. Early images from Webb have revealed unprecedented details of distant galaxies, nebulae, and exoplanet atmospheres, promising to transform our understanding of the universe.

Question 10: Narrative Summary (Using SWBST)

Read the story excerpt and write a summary using the SWBST method.

Twelve-year-old Amir had been collecting bottle caps for three years, hoping to break the world record of 130,000 caps. His family thought it was a strange hobby, and his room overflowed with containers full of caps. When he was just 2,000 caps short of his goal, a flood damaged their basement, destroying thousands of caps stored there. Heartbroken but determined, Amir posted about his situation online. Within two weeks, people from around the world had sent him over 50,000 bottle caps. Not only did he break the record, but he also set a new one with 175,000 caps.

Question 11: Integrated Summary Paragraph

Use the following source to write a body paragraph for an essay arguing that schools should offer more outdoor learning opportunities. Include a topic sentence, an integrated summary with a signal phrase, and a concluding sentence.

Research from the University of Illinois found that students who had lessons outdoors showed a 20% improvement in attention and focus compared to indoor lessons. The study, which followed 100 students over a school year, also found that outdoor learning reduced stress levels and improved students' mood and motivation. Teachers reported that students asked more questions and showed greater curiosity during outdoor sessions.

Question 12: Edit and Revise

The following summary has multiple problems. Identify at least three problems, then write an improved version.

Original:

Bees are essential pollinators that help plants reproduce. A single bee colony can pollinate 300 million flowers each day. Bees are responsible for pollinating approximately 75% of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we eat. However, bee populations have declined dramatically in recent years due to pesticides, habitat loss, and disease. Scientists warn that the continued decline of bees could threaten global food security.

Problematic Summary:

"Bees pollinate 300 million flowers. They pollinate 75% of our food. Bees are dying from pesticides. I think we should ban all pesticides immediately to save the bees because without them we will all starve."

Answer Key Guidance

Part A Answers

Question 1: B - Captures the preservation, discoveries, and significance

Question 2: C - Using ideas without citation is plagiarism

Question 3: B - Signal phrases attribute ideas to their source

Question 4: B - The summary makes unsupported comparisons

Part B Answer Guidelines

Question 5: SWBST stands for Somebody, Wanted, But, So, Then - used for summarizing narratives

Question 6: Should name criteria like Accuracy, Completeness, Conciseness, Paraphrasing, Flow and explain purpose

Question 7: A dropped summary appears without introduction or connection; fix by adding signal phrases and analysis

Question 8: Quoting uses exact words with quotation marks; paraphrasing restates in your own words. Quote for impactful phrasing; paraphrase for ideas.

Part C Answer Guidelines

Question 9: Summary should mention: most powerful telescope, infrared capability, early discoveries/impact

Question 10: Should follow SWBST: Amir wanted to break record, but flood destroyed caps, so he posted online, then exceeded his goal with community help

Question 11: Should have topic sentence, signal phrase introducing research, specific details, and concluding thought

Question 12: Problems: choppy sentences, adds personal opinion, includes "I think," misses key points (food security threat, habitat loss). Revision should be objective and complete.

Next Steps

  • Review any questions you found challenging
  • Practice summarizing texts you encounter in other subjects
  • Continue applying these skills as you move to the next ELA unit
  • Remember: Strong summarizing skills will help you succeed on the SAT and ACT