SUMMARY (Question 4, final part): how the marks are awarded and the method that earns them.

MARKS DIVISION (usually 8 marks) Content — about 5 marks, awarded for the POINTS included. Each relevant point from the passage earns credit; the examiner works against a list. Expression — about 3 marks, for continuous prose in your own words, correct grammar, and staying within the word limit.

THE RULES THAT COST MARKS The WORD LIMIT is enforced. Anything beyond it is not read, so a summary that reaches its best point at word 60 of a 50-word limit scores nothing for it. COUNT your words. Write CONTINUOUS PROSE, not bullet points or numbered lines. Use YOUR OWN WORDS. Lifting whole phrases from the passage loses expression marks. Answer ONLY what the question asks. A passage contains far more than the summary question wants; every irrelevant sentence uses words you cannot spare.

THE METHOD, IN ORDER

1. Read the summary question FIRST, before re-reading the passage, so you know what you are hunting for.
2. Underline in the passage only the sentences that bear on it.
3. List the points in rough, in note form, in the order they appear.
4. Strike out anything outside the question.
5. Write the points as flowing prose, joining them with simple connectives.
6. COUNT. Aim for a little under the limit so you have room to correct.

WORKED EXAMPLE (50-word limit) Question: describe how Mr. Panwallah introduced Hari to watch mending.

Points found: hot idle afternoon, no customers / called Hari to sit beside him / opened the grandfather clock sent for repair / showed the machinery inside / explained what had made it stop / offered to take him as an apprentice / two hours a day, small payment / subject to Jagu’s permission.

Summary (50 words): "One idle afternoon Mr. Panwallah called Hari to sit beside him. He opened a grandfather clock sent for repair, showed him the machinery within and explained what had made it stop. Delighted by Hari’s fascination, he offered to take him on as a paid apprentice for two hours daily."

WHERE THE CONTENT MARKS ACTUALLY COME FROM

The examiner has a list of points and ticks the ones you include. That has two consequences worth acting on: MORE POINTS BEAT BETTER PROSE. Within the word limit, a summary carrying seven points in plain English scores higher than one carrying four in beautiful English. COMPRESS RUTHLESSLY. "He opened a grandfather clock sent for repair, showed him the machinery within and explained what had made it stop" carries three points in one sentence.

WHAT TO CUT FIRST when you are over the limit: adjectives, examples, anything the question did not ask about, and your own comment. A summary contains no opinion.

WHAT NEVER TO CUT: the points themselves.