Summary writing - practice exercises
Natasha Thomas, Contributor

Hello, students. I'm sure you are in high gear now as you travel closer to the final examinations. You should not be panicking at this stage; just stick to your study timetable and relax.

To reinforce what you learned in last week's lesson, I have set some practice exercises for you.

Exercise 1: Equivalent sentences

This activity on equivalent sentences will help you to rephrase sentences given to you. The aim of this exercise is not necessarily to reduce the length of a sentence, but rather to rearticulate it. This is a useful skill in summary writing.

Choose the one sentence which is nearest in meaning to the original sentence.

1. When she was a little girl, she was very keen on horses.

a. Even as a child, she was interested in animals.

b. Horses fascinated the little girl.

c. As a child, she showed an interest in horses.

d. She has always been interested in horses from childhood.

2. His books are interesting and provocative.

a. His books tend to make the reader angry.

b. His books are most exciting.

c. His books are concerned with controversial topics.

d. His books are appealing and stimulate discussion.

3. Mary still wanted to marry John even though he had lost all his money.

a. Mary agreed to marry John although he had lost all his money.

b. The loss of all John's money did not affect Mary's wish to marry him.

c. John's money did not matter to Mary who still wanted to marry him.

d. Mary intended to marry John even if he lost all his money.

Exercise 2: Summarising a dialogue

This activity exposes you to a different type of summary question. This one involves a dialogue in which you will have to identify the main points raised.

Summarise the main arguments put forward by Mrs Thompson on the DEFENCE of Television. Your summary must be approximately 150 words.

Interviewer: I have been talking with several mothers on the effects of television on the home. Would you say that television has brought many changes in the pattern of life in your home?

Mrs Thompson: I find that television has made no noticeable difference to my family life and relationships. Our domestic routines are quite the same, we still converse and our children's behaviour is normal.

Interviewer: Well, some mothers have expressed a dislike for the television because of late movies and the difficulties experienced in getting children to sleep and to do class assignments. Do you encounter these problems with your kids?

Mrs Thompson: Well, I think this all depends upon the kind of discipline you have in the home. I limit the viewing hours of my children. They can only view certain shows which I find appropriate to them. Class assignments and domestic chores have to be completed before any viewing takes place.

Interviewer: Some women believe that television is a menace, that children's behaviour has worsened because of the exposure to violence on the screen. What is your experience in this area?

Mrs Thompson: My children's behaviour has improved with television. I use it as an incentive to get work done, because if they want to view their favourite shows they comply with all my orders. I can even quiet my baby by focusing its attention on the screen. I can withhold it as a form of punishment.

Interviewer: It is the opinion of some parents that the television has limited their social life. Conversation is almost nil when visitors come to their homes. As for reading, no one cares to read novels or plays now that the television has become a mainstay in the home. What are your views on this?

Mrs Thompson: I believe there is more to converse about. If a family is viewing a show, at the end there are questions, opinions which go beyond the viewing. In fact, TV creates interest. Even when visitors come, sometimes the conversation centres around a film which we have viewed in common.

Interviewer: Much has been said about the overuse of violence on TV Do you think that it has any influence on the behaviour and attitudes of young persons in our society?

Mrs Thompson: Well, I must admit that there is a great deal of violence, especially in the Westerns. But above the violence, one sees the hero's sense of justice, his physical strength and moral courage. The good always triumphs over the evil.

What is really disgusting, I think, is the gruesome knife fight, the use of boiling acid to torture a victim. The visual impact of fighting for long periods of time is frightening. The violence on TV does influence crime in the society.

Interviewer: What suggestions would you make for improving the kind of shows now viewed on television?

Mrs Thompson: I would suggest shows with excessive violence and aggressive behaviour be abandoned. I would like to see more documentaries which would create more awareness among adults and children. Light comedies are more entertaining than the soap opera serials which now dominate the television. Films dealing with reality are more appealing than the fabulous and fictional ones.

Interviewer: Thank you very much for your cooperation. We shall be discussing other issues later on this programme.

We will discuss your answers the next time we meet. Have a productive week! Blessings!