Summarize Written Text
One sentence, 5 to 75 words — and why the form rule matters most.
15 minutes · A free lesson from Writing
You read a passage of up to about 300 words and have 10 minutes to summarise it in one sentence of 5 to 75 words. It scores writing and reading.
Microplastics, which come mainly from larger plastic items breaking down, are now found almost everywhere, and although their effects on health remain uncertain, they are so hard to remove that many scientists believe the best solution is to produce and discard less plastic.
Main idea + source + uncertainty + conclusion — in 43 words, with one full stop.
Quick check: Which of these breaks the form rule?
- A 70-word sentence joined with 'although' and 'which'
- Two sentences of 30 words each
- A 25-word sentence with one semicolon
Show the answer
B: Two sentences of 30 words each — Two sentences = wrong form. One sentence with a semicolon is still one sentence.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: How many sentences may your summary have?
- Two
- As many as you like
- One
Show the answer
C: One — One full stop, at the end. A semicolon still leaves it one sentence.
Quick check: How long must it be?
- 5 to 75 words
- 50 to 70 words
- 200 to 300 words
Show the answer
A: 5 to 75 words — 50 to 70 words is Summarize Spoken Text, and 200 to 300 is the essay.
Quick check: Which words help you join several points in one sentence?
- Firstly. Secondly. Finally.
- although, while, which, because
- Extra full stops
Show the answer
B: although, while, which, because — Connectors carry the main idea and its support in one sentence.
Quick check: How long do you have?
- 10 minutes
- 20 minutes
- 2 minutes
Show the answer
A: 10 minutes — It has its own timer, separate from the speaking tasks.
Marked as soon as you finish — free with an account.Practise now
Marked as soon as you finish — free with an account.Practise now