Summarize an article
Grade 6 Reading Worksheet
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
How a Lighthouse Sends Its Signal (article)
[1] Before electric lamps, a lighthouse keeper burned oil, and the small flame alone was too weak to be seen from far out at sea. [2] Builders needed a way to gather the scattered light into one strong beam.
[3] A tall glass lens made of many curved rings solved the problem, because it bent light from the flame into a narrow band. [4] A single smooth lens of that size would have been too thick and heavy to build, so the rings kept it light.
[5] The lens also turned slowly on a clockwork base, so sailors saw a flash each time the beam swept past them. [6] Each lighthouse used its own pattern of flashes, which let ships tell one tower from another.
[7] Today most lights are automatic and use electric bulbs or LEDs. [8] Many of the old lenses remain in place, and some towers now serve as museums for visitors. Draft summary: A lighthouse flame alone was too weak to be seen from far out at sea. A tall glass lens made of rings bent the light into one strong beam. Today most lights are automatic and use electric bulbs or LEDs.
Bo's draft summary leaves out one main step of the article. Which step is missing?
- A tall glass lens made of many curved rings bent the light into a narrow band.
- Keepers cleaned the glass lens each morning so that the beam stayed bright for ships.
- Some towers now serve as museums for visitors, and many old lenses remain in place.
- The lens turned slowly, so each lighthouse flashed its own pattern for ships to tell apart.
How a Lighthouse Sends Its Signal (article)
[1] Before electric lamps, a lighthouse keeper burned oil, and the small flame alone was too weak to be seen from far out at sea. [2] Builders needed a way to gather the scattered light into one strong beam.
[3] A tall glass lens made of many curved rings solved the problem, because it bent light from the flame into a narrow band. [4] A single smooth lens of that size would have been too thick and heavy to build, so the rings kept it light.
[5] The lens also turned slowly on a clockwork base, so sailors saw a flash each time the beam swept past them. [6] Each lighthouse used its own pattern of flashes, which let ships tell one tower from another.
[7] Today most lights are automatic and use electric bulbs or LEDs. [8] Many of the old lenses remain in place, and some towers now serve as museums for visitors. Draft summary: A lighthouse flame alone was too weak to be seen from far out at sea. A tall glass lens made of rings bent the light into one strong beam. The lens turned slowly, so each lighthouse flashed its own pattern. Lighthouse towers look more beautiful than most other buildings beside the sea. Today most lights are automatic and use electric bulbs or LEDs.
Esme reads a draft summary of the article. Which sentence does not belong in a summary of this article?
- Today most lights are automatic and use electric bulbs or LEDs.
- A lighthouse flame alone was too weak to be seen from far out at sea.
- A tall glass lens made of rings bent the light into one strong beam.
- Lighthouse towers look more beautiful than most other buildings beside the sea.
How a River Builds a Delta (article)
[1] A river carries tiny pieces of soil and sand that it picks up along its long path from the mountains. [2] While the water flows fast, it holds this material, which is called sediment.
[3] When the river reaches the sea or a lake, the current slows down because the water spreads out. [4] The slower water can no longer carry its load, so the sediment sinks and piles up.
[5] Over many years the pile grows into new land, and the river splits into several smaller channels to find a way around it. [6] The land often forms a fan or triangle shape that widens toward the sea.
[7] The wet, rich soil of a delta supports farms and many kinds of wildlife. [8] However, if a dam upstream traps the sediment, the delta can start to shrink instead of grow. Draft summary: The river drops its sediment when it slows at the sea or a lake. The sediment piles up into new land, and the river splits into channels. A delta supports farms and wildlife, but a dam upstream can make it shrink.
Kira's draft summary leaves out one main step of the article. Which step is missing?
- The river slows down where it meets the sea, so the sediment sinks and piles up.
- A fast river picks up soil and sand on its long path from the mountains.
- Floods in the mountains add even more soil and sand to the river each spring.
- The land often forms a fan or triangle shape that widens toward the sea.
How a River Builds a Delta (article)
[1] A river carries tiny pieces of soil and sand that it picks up along its long path from the mountains. [2] While the water flows fast, it holds this material, which is called sediment.
[3] When the river reaches the sea or a lake, the current slows down because the water spreads out. [4] The slower water can no longer carry its load, so the sediment sinks and piles up.
[5] Over many years the pile grows into new land, and the river splits into several smaller channels to find a way around it. [6] The land often forms a fan or triangle shape that widens toward the sea.
[7] The wet, rich soil of a delta supports farms and many kinds of wildlife. [8] However, if a dam upstream traps the sediment, the delta can start to shrink instead of grow. Draft summary: A fast river carries soil and sand, called sediment. The slower water at the sea or a lake drops the sediment, which piles up. The Nile and the Mississippi are two rivers that form large deltas. The pile grows into new land, and the river splits into channels. A dam upstream can trap the sediment and make a delta shrink.
Luz reads a draft summary of the article. Which sentence does not belong in a summary of this article?
- The slower water at the sea or a lake drops the sediment, which piles up.
- The Nile and the Mississippi are two rivers that form large deltas.
- A dam upstream can trap the sediment and make a delta shrink.
- The pile grows into new land, and the river splits into channels.
From Fleece to Yarn (article)
[1] Once a year, a shearer carefully removes the thick wool coat from each sheep in one large piece called a fleece. [2] The sheep are not harmed, and the animals grow a new coat before the next winter.
[3] The raw fleece is full of dirt, grease, and bits of straw, so workers wash it in warm water and let it dry. [4] Next, they comb the clean wool between rows of wire teeth, which untangle the fibers and arrange them in the same direction.
[5] A spinner then draws out a few fibers at a time and twists them together into a long, continuous strand. [6] The twisting locks the fibers together, which is what makes the strand strong enough to be knitted.
[7] Finally, the finished yarn is wound into balls or skeins, and it can be dyed in many colors. [8] A knitter can then turn it into scarves, hats, and sweaters.
Milo is picking the summary to read aloud. Which one gives the main steps in order and keeps opinions out?
- A shearer clips a sheep's wool in one piece, and a spinner twists the fibers into long, strong yarn. The yarn is then wound into balls, dyed in many colors, and knitted into scarves, hats, and sweaters.
- A shearer clips a sheep's wool once a year in one large piece, and the sheep grow a new coat before the next winter. Workers wash and comb the wool, a spinner makes yarn, and the yarn is dyed and knitted.
- A shearer clips a sheep's wool in one piece, and a spinner twists the fibers into strong yarn. Workers then wash the wool and comb the fibers into line before the yarn is wound, dyed, and knitted.
- A shearer clips a sheep's wool in one piece, and workers wash it and comb the fibers into line. A spinner twists the fibers into strong yarn, which is then wound, dyed, and knitted into clothing.
From Fleece to Yarn (article)
[1] Once a year, a shearer carefully removes the thick wool coat from each sheep in one large piece called a fleece. [2] The sheep are not harmed, and the animals grow a new coat before the next winter.
[3] The raw fleece is full of dirt, grease, and bits of straw, so workers wash it in warm water and let it dry. [4] Next, they comb the clean wool between rows of wire teeth, which untangle the fibers and arrange them in the same direction.
[5] A spinner then draws out a few fibers at a time and twists them together into a long, continuous strand. [6] The twisting locks the fibers together, which is what makes the strand strong enough to be knitted.
[7] Finally, the finished yarn is wound into balls or skeins, and it can be dyed in many colors. [8] A knitter can then turn it into scarves, hats, and sweaters. Draft summary: A shearer removes a sheep's wool in one piece called a fleece. A spinner twists the fibers into a long strand of yarn. The yarn is wound into balls, dyed, and knitted into sweaters.
Noah's draft summary leaves out one main step of the article. Which step is missing?
- The sheep are not harmed, and the animals grow a new coat before the next winter.
- Farmers sell the fleece at a busy market before the wool is washed or combed.
- Workers wash the dirty fleece in warm water and comb the wool so the fibers line up.
- The finished yarn is dyed in many colors and then knitted into scarves and hats.
From Fleece to Yarn (article)
[1] Once a year, a shearer carefully removes the thick wool coat from each sheep in one large piece called a fleece. [2] The sheep are not harmed, and the animals grow a new coat before the next winter.
[3] The raw fleece is full of dirt, grease, and bits of straw, so workers wash it in warm water and let it dry. [4] Next, they comb the clean wool between rows of wire teeth, which untangle the fibers and arrange them in the same direction.
[5] A spinner then draws out a few fibers at a time and twists them together into a long, continuous strand. [6] The twisting locks the fibers together, which is what makes the strand strong enough to be knitted.
[7] Finally, the finished yarn is wound into balls or skeins, and it can be dyed in many colors. [8] A knitter can then turn it into scarves, hats, and sweaters. Draft summary: A shearer clips a sheep's wool in one piece called a fleece. Workers wash the fleece and comb the wool so the fibers line up. Wool is the nicest material for anyone who wants warm clothes. A spinner twists the fibers into a strong strand of yarn. The yarn is wound into balls, dyed, and knitted into clothing.
Pia reads a draft summary of the article. Which sentence does not belong in a summary of this article?
- A spinner twists the fibers into a strong strand of yarn.
- The yarn is wound into balls, dyed, and knitted into clothing.
- Wool is the nicest material for anyone who wants warm clothes.
- A shearer clips a sheep's wool in one piece called a fleece.
Helping Fish Past a Dam (article)
[1] Every year, salmon swim up rivers from the ocean to reach the quiet streams where they were born. [2] A tall dam can block their path completely, because the fish cannot leap up a wall of concrete.
[3] Engineers solved this problem by building a fish ladder beside the dam, which is a series of shallow pools arranged like stairs. [4] Each pool sits slightly higher than the one below it, and water pours gently from one pool into the next.
[5] A salmon can rest in each pool before it leaps upward into the one above. [6] After many small jumps, the fish reaches the calm water above the dam and continues toward its home stream.
[7] Many dams now include a counting window in the ladder. [8] Scientists watch the fish swim past the glass and record how many pass through during each season.
Ren is choosing a summary for a poster. Which one tells the main steps in order and adds no opinion?
- A dam blocks salmon swimming upriver to their home streams, so engineers build a ladder of shallow pools. The fish rest and leap from pool to pool past the dam, and scientists count them, which is the most exciting job at any dam.
- A dam blocks salmon swimming upriver to their home streams, so engineers build a ladder of shallow pools arranged like stairs. The fish rest in each pool and leap upward until they reach the calm water above the dam.
- A dam blocks salmon swimming upriver to their home streams, so engineers build a ladder of shallow pools. Scientists count the fish through a window, and the fish rest and leap from pool to pool past the dam.
- A dam blocks salmon swimming upriver to their home streams, so engineers build a ladder of shallow pools. The fish rest and leap from pool to pool past the dam, and scientists count them through a window.
Helping Fish Past a Dam (article)
[1] Every year, salmon swim up rivers from the ocean to reach the quiet streams where they were born. [2] A tall dam can block their path completely, because the fish cannot leap up a wall of concrete.
[3] Engineers solved this problem by building a fish ladder beside the dam, which is a series of shallow pools arranged like stairs. [4] Each pool sits slightly higher than the one below it, and water pours gently from one pool into the next.
[5] A salmon can rest in each pool before it leaps upward into the one above. [6] After many small jumps, the fish reaches the calm water above the dam and continues toward its home stream.
[7] Many dams now include a counting window in the ladder. [8] Scientists watch the fish swim past the glass and record how many pass through during each season. Draft summary: Salmon swim up rivers to their home streams, but a tall dam blocks their path. Engineers build a fish ladder beside the dam, a series of shallow pools arranged like stairs. The fish rest in each pool and leap upward until they pass the dam.
Tala's draft summary leaves out one main step of the article. Which step is missing?
- A salmon rests in each pool and then leaps upward into the next pool above it.
- Each pool sits slightly higher than the one below it, like steps on a stair.
- Biologists tag each salmon with a small marker to learn which stream it returns to each year.
- Scientists watch through a window in the ladder and count how many fish pass each season.
Helping Fish Past a Dam (article)
[1] Every year, salmon swim up rivers from the ocean to reach the quiet streams where they were born. [2] A tall dam can block their path completely, because the fish cannot leap up a wall of concrete.
[3] Engineers solved this problem by building a fish ladder beside the dam, which is a series of shallow pools arranged like stairs. [4] Each pool sits slightly higher than the one below it, and water pours gently from one pool into the next.
[5] A salmon can rest in each pool before it leaps upward into the one above. [6] After many small jumps, the fish reaches the calm water above the dam and continues toward its home stream.
[7] Many dams now include a counting window in the ladder. [8] Scientists watch the fish swim past the glass and record how many pass through during each season. Draft summary: Salmon swim upriver to their home streams, but a tall dam blocks the way. Engineers build a fish ladder of shallow pools arranged like stairs. Some salmon travel hundreds of miles to reach the stream where they hatched. The fish rest in each pool and leap upward until they pass the dam. Scientists count the fish through a window in the ladder.
Zee reads a draft summary of the article. Which sentence does not belong in a summary of this article?
- Scientists count the fish through a window in the ladder.
- The fish rest in each pool and leap upward until they pass the dam.
- Some salmon travel hundreds of miles to reach the stream where they hatched.
- Engineers build a fish ladder of shallow pools arranged like stairs.