Summarizing Literature: Mastery Test

What is the best objective summary of the passage?adapted from The Awakening by Kate Chopin

A husband and wife argue over whether their child is sick, and the husband accuses his wife of neglecting their children. The argument leaves the wife tearful and pensive.

Which two statements should be included in a summary of the passage?

Because of rough and powerful waves, Crusoe struggles to get to shore. The sea repeatedly batters Crusoe, but he does not give up hope for survival.

Which three important events in the story should be included in its summary? adapted from The Glass Axeby Andrew Lang

Never let the child put his feet on the ground, for as soon as he does so he will fall into the power of a wicked Fairy, who will do him much harm. No sooner had his foot touched the earth than he disappeared before the eyes of the horrified courtiers Then she gave him an axe made of glass, and bade him cross the bridge of clouds and go into the wood beyond and cut down all the trees there before sunset.

Which two details are most important to include in a summary of the excerpt?

The ship crashed upon a rock in a storm.

Determine which four events form a clear summary of the passage and place them in the correct order.

The waves pick up Crusoe two more times, but he holds fast to a rock and eventually makes it to shore.

Select the correct texts in the passage. Which two details are most important to include in a summary of the paragraph? excerpt from Frankensteinby Mary Shelly

I accompanied the whale-fishers on several expeditions to the North Sea; I often worked harder than the common sailors during the day and devoted my nights to the study of mathematics, the theory of medicine, and those branches of physical science from which a naval adventurer might derive the greatest practical advantage.

Which two details are most important to include in a summary of the excerpt? excerpt from Frankenstein by Mary Shelly

I have read with ardor the accounts of the various voyages which have been made in the prospect of arriving at the North Pacific Ocean through the seas which surround the pole. This expedition has been the favorite dream of my early years.

Read the excerpt from Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. This is the most favorable period for travelling in Russia. They fly quickly over the snow in their sledges; the motion is pleasant, and, in my opinion, far more agreeable than that of an English stagecoach. The cold is not excessive, if you are wrapped in furs—a dress which I have already adopted, for there is a great difference between walking the deck and remaining seated motionless for hours, when no exercise prevents the blood from actually freezing in your veins. I have no ambition to lose my life on the post-road between St. Petersburgh and Archangel. Which two details are most important to include in a summary of the text?

It's much colder to sit still than to move around on deck.

Read the adapted excerpt from Moby Dick by Herman Melville. In the year 1820, the ship Essex, run by Captain Pollard of Nantucket, was cruising in the Pacific Ocean. One day she saw spouts, lowered her boats, and gave chase to a shoal of sperm whales. Ere long, several of the whales were wounded; when, suddenly, a very large whale escaping from the boats, issued from the shoal, and bore directly down upon the ship. Dashing his forehead against her hull, he so crushed her in, that in less than "ten minutes" she settled down and fell over. Not a surviving plank of her has been seen since. After the severest exposure, part of the crew reached the land in their boats. Being returned home at last, Captain Pollard once more sailed for the Pacific in command of another ship, but was shipwrecked again upon unknown rocks and breakers; for the second time his ship was utterly lost, and forthwith forswearing the sea, he has never tempted it since. Which choice provides the best objective summary of the excerpt?

The Essex, while sailing in the Pacific, encounters a very large whale that destroys it. The captain, on a second voyage, loses another ship on unseen rocks and decides to stop going on sea voyages.

Place the paraphrases in the correct logical order to a summary.

The narrator explains that he cannot fully describe how he is feeling. The narrator says he is afraid to go but is excited at the same time. He will travel to new, unknown areas like an old seaman does. He shares that it will be dangerous, but he is attracted to the mystery of it all. The narrator shares that it is hard work, but he loves the adventure of the seas.

Select the correct answer. Read the adapted excerpt from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. Soon after, I heard a general shout, with frequent repetitions of the words Peplom selan, and I felt great numbers of people on my left side, relaxing the cords to such a degree that I was able to turn upon my right, and to get a little ease. But, before this, they had daubed my face and both my hands with a sort of ointment very pleasant to the smell, which, in a few minutes, removed all the smart of their arrows. These circumstances, added to the refreshment I had received by their victuals and drink, which were very nourishing, disposed me to sleep. I slept about eight hours, as I was afterwards assured; and it was no wonder, for the physicians, by the emperor's order, had mingled a sleepy potion in the drink. Which choice best identifies the main idea for a summary of the excerpt?

The narrator gets some relief and care by those who had bound him.

Select the correct answer. Read the adapted excerpt from Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. The basin was so small that I walked near a mile before I got to the shore, which I conjectured was about eight o'clock in the evening. I then advanced forward near half a mile, but could not discover any sign of houses or inhabitants; at least, I was in so weak a condition, that I did not observe them. I was extremely tired, and with that, and the heat of the weather, I found myself much inclined to sleep. I lay down on the grass, which was very short and soft, where I slept sounder than ever I remembered to have done in my life, and, as I reckoned, for about nine hours; for, when I awaked, it was just daylight. I attempted to rise, but was not able to stir: for as I happened to lie on my back, I found my arms and legs were strongly fastened on each side to the ground; and my hair, which was long and thick, tied down in the same manner. I likewise felt several slender ligatures across my body, from my arm-pits to my thighs. I could only look upwards, the sun began to grow hot, and the light offended my eyes. Which choice provides the best objective summary of the excerpt?

The narrator, in an exhausted state, sleeps on the grass. When he wake up several hours later, he finds he is bound and tied down to the ground.