First Language English
Summary skills — Paper 1
- 1.
A council report lists reasons for a town's traffic problems: a new shopping centre has increased visitor numbers, several residential streets lack proper footpaths, roadworks on the main bridge have narrowed access, and bus services run infrequently outside rush hour. Summarise, in your own words, the reasons for the traffic problems.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 2.
An article lists advantages of a four-day school week: students report less fatigue, teachers have an extra day for planning and marking, the school saves on energy costs, and families find it easier to arrange appointments. Summarise the benefits in your own words, in no more than two sentences.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 3.
A travel blog about visiting a historic city mentions: the entry fee for the castle, the writer's favourite café, opening times for the museum, and a funny story about losing a map. Which two of these details would be relevant to a summary of ‘practical information for visitors’, and which two would not?
[3 marks] · no calculator - 4.
A text presents two views on school uniforms: one parent argues uniforms reduce peer pressure over clothing and save money, while another argues uniforms limit self-expression and are not always comfortable. Summarise both viewpoints in your own words.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 5.
A passage describes the stages of making traditional bread: mixing flour, water, yeast and salt; kneading the dough for ten minutes; leaving it to rise for one hour; shaping it into loaves; and baking at a high temperature. Summarise this process in your own words.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 6.
Paraphrase the following sentence without copying three or more consecutive words from the original: ‘Despite repeated warnings from scientists, many coastal towns have continued to expand right up to the water's edge.’
[3 marks] · no calculator - 7.
A text states separately that a new park has a playground, that it has a pond with ducks, and that it hosts a weekly market on Saturdays. Combine these three details into a single, well-constructed sentence.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 8.
A report on a school trip notes that the coach departed thirty minutes late, that the museum visit overran by an hour, that lunch was shortened as a result, and that the group still returned on schedule after the driver took a faster route home. Summarise what happened to the day's timing, in your own words.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 9.
A workplace report lists reasons for low staff morale: long commutes, unpaid overtime becoming common, limited opportunities for promotion, and a lack of recognition for good work. Summarise these reasons in your own words.
[4 marks] · no calculator - 10.
A recipe explains: first, whisk the eggs and sugar until pale; then fold in the sifted flour gently; next, pour the mixture into a greased tin; finally, bake for 25 minutes until golden. Summarise these instructions in your own words, keeping them in the correct order.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 11.
A consumer guide compares two laptops: Laptop A is cheaper and lighter but has a shorter battery life, while Laptop B costs more and is heavier but lasts twice as long on a single charge. Summarise this comparison in your own words.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 12.
A council survey finds that 62% of residents support a new recycling scheme, 25% are undecided, and 13% are opposed, mainly due to concerns about cost. Summarise these findings in your own words.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 13.
An opinion piece argues that homework should be reduced because students need more time to rest, pursue hobbies, and spend time with family, and because research suggests excessive homework does not improve learning beyond a certain point. Summarise the writer's main argument and supporting points.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 14.
A biography of an inventor mentions: the award she won for her invention, her favourite childhood food, the patent she filed for a new device, and the name of her pet dog. Which two details would be relevant to a summary of ‘her contribution to invention’, and which two would not?
[2 marks] · no calculator - 15.
Paraphrase the following sentence without copying three or more consecutive words from the original: ‘The committee concluded, after lengthy discussion, that the proposal required significant revision before it could be approved.’
[3 marks] · no calculator - 16.
A text states separately that a new sports centre has a swimming pool, that membership costs $20 a month, and that it offers free fitness classes for members under 18. Combine these three details into a single, well-constructed sentence.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 17.
A historical account states that a small coastal village grew slowly for centuries, expanded rapidly after a railway line was built nearby in the 1880s, and has remained a mid-sized town ever since. Summarise this sequence of events, in no more than two sentences.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 18.
A product review lists advantages of a new blender (powerful motor, easy to clean, quiet operation) and disadvantages (expensive, takes up significant counter space). Summarise both the advantages and disadvantages in your own words.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 19.
A manufacturing explainer describes: raw cotton is harvested from fields; it is then cleaned and spun into thread; the thread is woven into fabric; finally, the fabric is cut and sewn into finished clothing. Summarise this process in your own words, in the correct order.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 20.
A complaint letter states that a delivery arrived five days late, that the box was visibly damaged, that two items inside were broken, and that the customer had to take unpaid time off work waiting for the missed original delivery slot. Summarise the key points of this complaint.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 21.
A request letter to a school explains that a student needs extra time in exams due to a diagnosed condition, that medical evidence is attached, and that this arrangement was also used successfully the previous year. Summarise the key points made in this request.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 22.
Two nutrition experts are quoted on breakfast: one says skipping breakfast harms concentration and should always be avoided; another says the effect varies by person and what matters more is overall daily diet. Summarise both expert views in your own words.
[2 marks] · no calculator - 23.
A report explains that a factory's old machinery frequently broke down, that repairs caused regular production delays, and that the company has now invested in new equipment specifically to reduce these interruptions. Summarise the cause-and-effect chain described here.
[3 marks] · no calculator - 24.
A charity report states that a clean-water project reduced local illness rates, allowed more children to attend school regularly instead of collecting water, and freed up time for parents to start small businesses. Summarise the benefits of this project in your own words.
[3 marks] · no calculator