Summarize an article fairly
Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Challenge Me
Circle the best answer.
Read this first
The Night Train Returns (article)
[1] This spring, the Rivermouth Line began running a night train again after nine years without one. [2] The train leaves the coast at ten o'clock and reaches the capital before dawn. [3] Its sleeping cars were rebuilt by a workshop in the old rail yard, which hired twenty-two local workers for the job.
[4] Ticket sales have been steady, and the line reports that about three-quarters of the seats are filled each night. [5] Riders include students, nurses starting early shifts and families visiting relatives. [6] Several riders said that the ticket price, which is lower than a plane fare, convinced them to try it.
[7] Not everyone agrees that the service will last. [8] Councilmember Dara Okonkwo said that the night train is "the best idea the region has had in years." [9] Treasurer Hal Brennick answered that it will probably lose money for a while and will need a subsidy from the council.
[10] The line's published budget shows a yearly gap of about 400,000 dollars that ticket sales do not yet cover. [11] Supporters point out that a similar day service on the same line broke even within two years. [12] The council will review the figures in the autumn. Draft: The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train that fills about three-quarters of its seats. It is the best idea the region has had in years. The treasurer expects it to need a subsidy.
Noah's draft summary has one problem. Which repair fixes it without creating a new one?
- The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train that fills about three-quarters of its seats. Councilmember Okonkwo calls it the best idea in years, which seems right, and Treasurer Brennick expects it to need a subsidy.
- The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train that fills about three-quarters of its seats. Councilmember Okonkwo calls it the best idea in years, and Treasurer Brennick expects it to need a subsidy for ten years.
- The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train that fills about three-quarters of its seats, and Treasurer Brennick expects it to need a subsidy.
- The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train that fills about three-quarters of its seats. Councilmember Okonkwo calls it the best idea in years, and Treasurer Brennick expects it to need a subsidy.
The Night Train Returns (article)
[1] This spring, the Rivermouth Line began running a night train again after nine years without one. [2] The train leaves the coast at ten o'clock and reaches the capital before dawn. [3] Its sleeping cars were rebuilt by a workshop in the old rail yard, which hired twenty-two local workers for the job.
[4] Ticket sales have been steady, and the line reports that about three-quarters of the seats are filled each night. [5] Riders include students, nurses starting early shifts and families visiting relatives. [6] Several riders said that the ticket price, which is lower than a plane fare, convinced them to try it.
[7] Not everyone agrees that the service will last. [8] Councilmember Dara Okonkwo said that the night train is "the best idea the region has had in years." [9] Treasurer Hal Brennick answered that it will probably lose money for a while and will need a subsidy from the council.
[10] The line's published budget shows a yearly gap of about 400,000 dollars that ticket sales do not yet cover. [11] Supporters point out that a similar day service on the same line broke even within two years. [12] The council will review the figures in the autumn. Draft: The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train after nine years. The train leaves the coast at ten o'clock and reaches the capital before dawn. About three-quarters of its seats are filled each night. Councilmember Okonkwo supports it, while Treasurer Brennick expects it to need a subsidy, and the council will review the figures in the autumn.
Pia must cut this four-sentence draft to two sentences without losing either central idea. Which two-sentence version does that?
- The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train that fills about three-quarters of its seats. Councilmember Okonkwo supports it, but Treasurer Brennick expects it to need a subsidy, and the council will review the figures.
- The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train after nine years, and it leaves the coast at ten o'clock and reaches the capital before dawn. About three-quarters of its seats are filled each night.
- The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train that fills about three-quarters of its seats. Councilmember Okonkwo supports it, but Treasurer Brennick expects it to need a subsidy, which is a shortsighted worry.
- The Rivermouth Line brought back a night train that fills about three-quarters of its seats. Councilmember Okonkwo supports it, but Treasurer Brennick expects it to need a subsidy, and the council has voted to cancel it before the end of the season.
Painting the Crosswalks (article)
[1] Last summer, the city of Alderbrook let neighborhood artists paint six crosswalks in bright patterns. [2] Each design was chosen by a vote of the people who live on that street. [3] The paint is a thick, slip-resistant material that city crews tested on a closed lot before using it.
[4] After the first year, the city counted traffic near the painted crossings. [5] Drivers slowed down by an average of three miles per hour, and the number of near misses reported by walkers dropped. [6] City traffic engineer Priya Venkataraman cautioned that one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause.
[7] The designs have also changed how neighbors use the streets. [8] Shopkeeper Tomas Reyes said that the painted crossing outside his bakery is "the reason my block feels alive again." [9] Several residents organized a spring picnic around the crossings.
[10] Not all reactions were warm. [11] Some drivers complained that the bright patterns are distracting, and a few residents asked why the money was not spent on repaving. [12] The city plans to count again next year and to publish the results. Draft: Alderbrook let neighborhood artists paint six crosswalks, and each design was chosen by a vote on that street. After one year, drivers slowed by an average of three miles per hour, and fewer near misses were reported. Engineer Priya Venkataraman said one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause. Reactions were mixed, with a shopkeeper praising the designs and some drivers calling them distracting.
Ren must cut this four-sentence draft to two sentences without losing either central idea. Which two-sentence version does that?
- After Alderbrook let artists paint six crosswalks, drivers slowed by about three miles per hour and fewer near misses were reported. The city engineer says one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause.
- After Alderbrook let artists paint six crosswalks, drivers slowed by about three miles per hour, although the city engineer says one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause. Neighbors reacted in different ways, with a shopkeeper praising the designs and some drivers calling them distracting.
- After Alderbrook let artists paint six crosswalks, drivers slowed by about three miles per hour, although the city engineer says one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause. Neighbors reacted in different ways, and the city has promised to paint twenty more crosswalks.
- After Alderbrook let artists paint six crosswalks, drivers slowed by about three miles per hour, although the city engineer says one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause. Neighbors reacted in different ways, though the complaints about distraction are plainly silly.
Painting the Crosswalks (article)
[1] Last summer, the city of Alderbrook let neighborhood artists paint six crosswalks in bright patterns. [2] Each design was chosen by a vote of the people who live on that street. [3] The paint is a thick, slip-resistant material that city crews tested on a closed lot before using it.
[4] After the first year, the city counted traffic near the painted crossings. [5] Drivers slowed down by an average of three miles per hour, and the number of near misses reported by walkers dropped. [6] City traffic engineer Priya Venkataraman cautioned that one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause.
[7] The designs have also changed how neighbors use the streets. [8] Shopkeeper Tomas Reyes said that the painted crossing outside his bakery is "the reason my block feels alive again." [9] Several residents organized a spring picnic around the crossings.
[10] Not all reactions were warm. [11] Some drivers complained that the bright patterns are distracting, and a few residents asked why the money was not spent on repaving. [12] The city plans to count again next year and to publish the results.
Tala is summarizing a news article that reports people's opinions. Which summary tells both ideas and keeps each opinion with the person who holds it?
- After six crosswalks were painted, drivers slowed, though the engineer says one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint caused it, and the painted crossing makes the neighborhood feel alive again.
- After six crosswalks were painted, drivers slowed, but engineer Venkataraman says one year is too little data to prove the paint caused it, while shopkeeper Reyes says the paint made his block feel alive again.
- Shopkeeper Reyes says the painted crossing outside his bakery makes his block feel alive again, while some drivers say the bright patterns are distracting.
- After six crosswalks were painted, drivers slowed, but engineer Venkataraman says one year is too little data, while shopkeeper Reyes says the block feels alive again, which shows that cities should paint their crosswalks.
Painting the Crosswalks (article)
[1] Last summer, the city of Alderbrook let neighborhood artists paint six crosswalks in bright patterns. [2] Each design was chosen by a vote of the people who live on that street. [3] The paint is a thick, slip-resistant material that city crews tested on a closed lot before using it.
[4] After the first year, the city counted traffic near the painted crossings. [5] Drivers slowed down by an average of three miles per hour, and the number of near misses reported by walkers dropped. [6] City traffic engineer Priya Venkataraman cautioned that one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause.
[7] The designs have also changed how neighbors use the streets. [8] Shopkeeper Tomas Reyes said that the painted crossing outside his bakery is "the reason my block feels alive again." [9] Several residents organized a spring picnic around the crossings.
[10] Not all reactions were warm. [11] Some drivers complained that the bright patterns are distracting, and a few residents asked why the money was not spent on repaving. [12] The city plans to count again next year and to publish the results. Draft: Six crosswalks in Alderbrook were painted by neighborhood artists. Drivers slowed by about three miles per hour after the painting, so the paint clearly works. Some drivers say the patterns are distracting.
Zee's draft summary has one problem. Which repair fixes it without creating a new one?
- Six crosswalks in Alderbrook were painted by neighborhood artists. Drivers slowed by about three miles per hour afterward, though the engineer says one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause.
- Six crosswalks in Alderbrook were painted by neighborhood artists. Drivers slowed by about three miles per hour afterward, though the engineer says one year of counts is too little data to prove the paint was the cause. Some drivers say the patterns are distracting.
- Six crosswalks in Alderbrook were painted by neighborhood artists. Drivers slowed by about three miles per hour afterward, though the engineer expects two more years of counts to prove the paint was the cause. Some drivers say the patterns are distracting.
- Six crosswalks in Alderbrook were painted by neighborhood artists. Drivers slowed by about three miles per hour afterward, so the paint seems to work well. Some drivers say the patterns are distracting.
Rebuilding the Stone Bridge (article)
[1] The Tallow Creek bridge, built of local stone more than a century ago, closed to cars last year after an inspection found cracks in two of its arches. [2] Engineers recommended repair rather than replacement. [3] The work began in March and is expected to take eighteen months.
[4] Stonemasons are removing the damaged blocks one at a time and numbering each so it can be put back in place. [5] Where a block has crumbled, they cut a new stone from the same quarry. [6] Project manager Elena Marquez said the numbered method is "slower, but it protects what makes the bridge special."
[7] The repair costs more than a new concrete bridge would have. [8] Councilmember Wes Ardon argued that the town should have built a modern bridge for half the price and used the savings on road repairs. [9] The repair budget of 3.1 million dollars comes partly from a state heritage grant.
[10] Meanwhile, the closure has changed daily routines. [11] Walkers and cyclists still cross on a temporary footbridge, but cars must take a detour of about six miles. [12] Local shops say fewer customers are stopping by. Draft: Stonemasons are repairing the Tallow Creek bridge, numbering each block so it can be put back. The repair costs more than a concrete bridge would have, and Councilmember Ardon argued for a modern bridge instead. Marquez's slow method is the only sensible way to treat an old bridge.
Ari's draft summary has one problem. Which repair fixes it without creating a new one?
- Stonemasons are repairing the Tallow Creek bridge, numbering each block so it can be put back. The repair costs more than a concrete bridge would have, and Councilmember Ardon argued for a modern bridge instead. Project manager Marquez says the slow method protects what makes the bridge special.
- Stonemasons are repairing the Tallow Creek bridge, numbering each block so it can be put back. The repair costs more than a concrete bridge would have, and Councilmember Ardon argued for a modern bridge instead. Marquez's slow method is a very sensible way to treat an old bridge.
- Stonemasons are repairing the Tallow Creek bridge, numbering each block so it can be put back. Project manager Marquez says the slow method protects what makes the bridge special.
- Stonemasons are repairing the Tallow Creek bridge, numbering each block so it can be put back. The repair costs more than a concrete bridge would have, and Councilmember Ardon argued for a modern bridge instead. Project manager Marquez says the slow method will make the bridge last another two centuries.
Rebuilding the Stone Bridge (article)
[1] The Tallow Creek bridge, built of local stone more than a century ago, closed to cars last year after an inspection found cracks in two of its arches. [2] Engineers recommended repair rather than replacement. [3] The work began in March and is expected to take eighteen months.
[4] Stonemasons are removing the damaged blocks one at a time and numbering each so it can be put back in place. [5] Where a block has crumbled, they cut a new stone from the same quarry. [6] Project manager Elena Marquez said the numbered method is "slower, but it protects what makes the bridge special."
[7] The repair costs more than a new concrete bridge would have. [8] Councilmember Wes Ardon argued that the town should have built a modern bridge for half the price and used the savings on road repairs. [9] The repair budget of 3.1 million dollars comes partly from a state heritage grant.
[10] Meanwhile, the closure has changed daily routines. [11] Walkers and cyclists still cross on a temporary footbridge, but cars must take a detour of about six miles. [12] Local shops say fewer customers are stopping by. Draft: The Tallow Creek bridge closed to cars after an inspection found cracks in two arches. Stonemasons are numbering each damaged block so it can be returned to its place. The repair will cost 3.1 million dollars, more than a concrete bridge, and Councilmember Ardon argued the town should have built a modern one. Cars must take a six-mile detour, and local shops say fewer customers stop by.
Bo must cut this four-sentence draft to two sentences without losing either central idea. Which two-sentence version does that?
- Stonemasons are repairing the closed Tallow Creek bridge by numbering and replacing each damaged block. They cut a new stone from the same quarry when a block has crumbled.
- Stonemasons are repairing the closed Tallow Creek bridge by numbering and replacing each damaged block. The work costs more than a concrete bridge, which Councilmember Ardon opposed, and local shops say the six-mile detour is costing them customers.
- Stonemasons are repairing the closed Tallow Creek bridge by numbering and replacing each damaged block. The work costs more than a concrete bridge, which Councilmember Ardon opposed, though his plan was plainly the less sensible one.
- Stonemasons are repairing the closed Tallow Creek bridge by numbering and replacing each damaged block. The work costs more than a concrete bridge, which Councilmember Ardon opposed, and the town has agreed to build a second bridge just downstream as well.
Rebuilding the Stone Bridge (article)
[1] The Tallow Creek bridge, built of local stone more than a century ago, closed to cars last year after an inspection found cracks in two of its arches. [2] Engineers recommended repair rather than replacement. [3] The work began in March and is expected to take eighteen months.
[4] Stonemasons are removing the damaged blocks one at a time and numbering each so it can be put back in place. [5] Where a block has crumbled, they cut a new stone from the same quarry. [6] Project manager Elena Marquez said the numbered method is "slower, but it protects what makes the bridge special."
[7] The repair costs more than a new concrete bridge would have. [8] Councilmember Wes Ardon argued that the town should have built a modern bridge for half the price and used the savings on road repairs. [9] The repair budget of 3.1 million dollars comes partly from a state heritage grant.
[10] Meanwhile, the closure has changed daily routines. [11] Walkers and cyclists still cross on a temporary footbridge, but cars must take a detour of about six miles. [12] Local shops say fewer customers are stopping by.
Esme is summarizing a news article that reports people's opinions. Which summary tells both ideas and keeps each opinion with the person who holds it?
- Stonemasons are carefully repairing the Tallow Creek bridge, while Councilmember Ardon argues that a modern bridge would have cost half as much, which is a better idea than repairing it.
- Councilmember Ardon argues that the town should have built a modern bridge for half the price and used the savings on road repairs, but the repair is already under way.
- Stonemasons are carefully repairing the Tallow Creek bridge, which project manager Marquez says protects what makes it special, while Councilmember Ardon argues that a modern bridge would have cost half as much.
- Stonemasons are carefully repairing the Tallow Creek bridge, and a modern bridge would have cost half as much and left more money for road repairs.
A Shed Full of Seeds (article)
[1] In the town of Marrow Bend, an old tool shed behind the library now holds more than three hundred kinds of garden seeds. [2] Anyone with a library card may borrow a few packets each spring. [3] In autumn, borrowers are asked to bring back seeds saved from the plants they grew.
[4] Volunteers sort the returned seeds into labeled drawers and test a sample of each kind to see whether it sprouts. [5] Seeds that fail the test are removed, so the drawers hold only seeds likely to grow. [6] Volunteer coordinator Neha Chaudhry said the sprouting test is "the most important thing we do."
[7] Gardeners say the system saves money and keeps old varieties alive. [8] Retired farmer Obadiah Finch said that heirloom beans from his grandmother's garden would have disappeared without the shed. [9] Last year about two hundred households borrowed seeds.
[10] Some people worry about the quality of home-saved seed. [11] A seed company spokesperson, Lena Hartmann, pointed out that saved seeds from some hybrid plants do not grow into the same plant as their parents. [12] The library responds by labeling each drawer as heirloom or hybrid. Draft: Marrow Bend's seed shed holds more than three hundred kinds of garden seeds. Anyone with a library card may borrow a few packets and is asked to return saved seeds in autumn. Volunteers test a sample of each kind to see whether it sprouts. About two hundred households borrowed seeds last year, although a seed company spokesperson noted that saved hybrid seeds may not grow like their parents, so the library labels each drawer.
Kira must cut this four-sentence draft to two sentences without losing either central idea. Which two-sentence version does that?
- Marrow Bend's seed shed lends garden seeds, takes saved seeds back and tests whether they sprout. About two hundred households borrowed last year, and a company spokesperson warned that saved hybrid seeds may not match their parents, which is a fussy complaint.
- Marrow Bend's seed shed holds more than three hundred kinds of seeds. Anyone with a library card may borrow a few packets, and volunteers test whether returned seeds sprout.
- Marrow Bend's seed shed lends garden seeds, takes saved seeds back and tests whether they sprout. About two hundred households borrowed last year, and a company spokesperson warned that saved hybrid seeds may not match their parents, so the drawers are labeled.
- Marrow Bend's seed shed lends garden seeds, takes saved seeds back and tests whether they sprout. About two hundred households borrowed last year, and a company spokesperson warned that saved hybrid seeds may not match their parents, so the shed now sells seeds to the public.
A Shed Full of Seeds (article)
[1] In the town of Marrow Bend, an old tool shed behind the library now holds more than three hundred kinds of garden seeds. [2] Anyone with a library card may borrow a few packets each spring. [3] In autumn, borrowers are asked to bring back seeds saved from the plants they grew.
[4] Volunteers sort the returned seeds into labeled drawers and test a sample of each kind to see whether it sprouts. [5] Seeds that fail the test are removed, so the drawers hold only seeds likely to grow. [6] Volunteer coordinator Neha Chaudhry said the sprouting test is "the most important thing we do."
[7] Gardeners say the system saves money and keeps old varieties alive. [8] Retired farmer Obadiah Finch said that heirloom beans from his grandmother's garden would have disappeared without the shed. [9] Last year about two hundred households borrowed seeds.
[10] Some people worry about the quality of home-saved seed. [11] A seed company spokesperson, Lena Hartmann, pointed out that saved seeds from some hybrid plants do not grow into the same plant as their parents. [12] The library responds by labeling each drawer as heirloom or hybrid. Draft: Marrow Bend's seed shed lends seeds and tests returned ones. Neha Chaudhry's sprouting test is obviously the most important thing the shed does. A company spokesperson says saved hybrid seeds may not grow like their parents.
Luz's draft summary has one problem. Which repair fixes it without creating a new one?
- Marrow Bend's seed shed lends seeds and tests returned ones. Volunteer coordinator Neha Chaudhry says the sprouting test is the most important thing the shed does. A company spokesperson says saved hybrid seeds may not grow like their parents.
- Marrow Bend's seed shed lends seeds and tests returned ones. Chaudhry's sprouting test is clearly an important part of the shed's work. A company spokesperson says saved hybrid seeds may not grow like their parents.
- Marrow Bend's seed shed lends seeds and tests returned ones. Volunteer coordinator Neha Chaudhry says the sprouting test is the most important thing the shed does. A company spokesperson says saved hybrid seeds may not grow like their parents and asked the library to stop lending them.
- Marrow Bend's seed shed lends seeds and tests returned ones. Volunteer coordinator Neha Chaudhry says the sprouting test is the most important thing the shed does.