Summarising without losing the key points — understand and recognise

Summarising without losing the key points: progressive explanation, topic-specific examples, guided exercises and a corrected assessment.

Duration: 25 minPrerequisites: debattre-produirePass mark: 80%

1. Objective

By the end, you will identify the key clues in “Summarising without losing the key points” and explain what they tell you.

2. I discover

What is the main change? Which two sentences explain why it was decided? Which detail could disappear from a very short summary?

3. I understand

Summarising is not shortening every sentence. First identify the main idea, remove secondary details, group related information and rephrase in your own words.

Le marché du quartier ouvre désormais deux soirs par semaine.Cette extension d’horaire répond aux demandes des habitants qui rentrent tard du travail.Les commerçants espèrent aussi toucher de nouveaux clients.La mairie testera cette organisation pendant trois mois.Un bilan sera réalisé à la fin de la période.Les horaires du matin, eux, ne changent pas.

Watch out

If your summary keeps a precise example but misses the main idea, it is unbalanced. Also check that you add no new information.

4. Guided practice

5. Independent practice

6. I write / I speak

Summarise the text in no more than two sentences. Keep the change, its reason and the test period.

7. Check-up

8. Remember

A good summary answers three questions: what is the text about, what does it mainly say, and which details can disappear without changing the meaning?

Download the worksheet (PDF)

9. Now I can…

I can identify useful clues in “Summarising without losing the key points”.
I can explain my choice instead of guessing.
I can reuse this skill in a real text or exchange.