Summarize an article fairly
Grade 7 Reading Worksheet - Building Confidence
Circle the best answer.
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Dunes on the Move (article)
[1] A sand dune is a hill of loose sand that the wind has gradually piled up over a long time. [2] Wind lifts grains from the bare ground and carries them in short hops until its force weakens. [3] When the grains drop, they accumulate behind any bump or obstacle that stands in the way.
[4] Over time a dune can travel across the land. [5] Wind blows grains up the gentle side of the dune and over the crest, and the grains then tumble down the steep far side. [6] Because the sand keeps moving in this way, the whole hill creeps forward, sometimes by several meters in a year.
[7] Plants can slow this movement considerably. [8] Certain grasses, such as marram, send long roots deep into the sand and spread underground stems across it. [9] The roots hold grains in place, and the leaves slow the wind near the ground.
[10] Beach communities therefore plant native grasses to protect the dunes, which also guard the land behind them from storm waves. [11] Walking across the plants can break the stems and weaken the dune. [12] Many beaches now construct narrow paths and fences to keep visitors on designated routes. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: wind carries grains and piles them into a dune | P2: grains tumble down the far side, so the dune moves Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: grass roots and leaves hold the sand | P4: towns plant grass and build paths to protect dunes
Ari reads the article and its two ladders. Which summary tells both central ideas and adds no opinion?
- Wind builds sand dunes and slowly moves them forward, while grasses such as marram hold the sand in place, so beach towns plant grass and protect it.
- Wind lifts grains of sand and piles them into a dune, then carries the dune forward as grains tumble down its steep side, sometimes by several meters in a year.
- Wind builds dunes and moves them forward, while marram grass sends its roots deep into the sand and spreads underground stems across it, with leaves that slow the wind near the ground.
- Wind builds sand dunes and slowly moves them forward, while marram grass holds the sand in place, which makes dunes the loveliest part of any beach.
Dunes on the Move (article)
[1] A sand dune is a hill of loose sand that the wind has gradually piled up over a long time. [2] Wind lifts grains from the bare ground and carries them in short hops until its force weakens. [3] When the grains drop, they accumulate behind any bump or obstacle that stands in the way.
[4] Over time a dune can travel across the land. [5] Wind blows grains up the gentle side of the dune and over the crest, and the grains then tumble down the steep far side. [6] Because the sand keeps moving in this way, the whole hill creeps forward, sometimes by several meters in a year.
[7] Plants can slow this movement considerably. [8] Certain grasses, such as marram, send long roots deep into the sand and spread underground stems across it. [9] The roots hold grains in place, and the leaves slow the wind near the ground.
[10] Beach communities therefore plant native grasses to protect the dunes, which also guard the land behind them from storm waves. [11] Walking across the plants can break the stems and weaken the dune. [12] Many beaches now construct narrow paths and fences to keep visitors on designated routes. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: wind carries grains and piles them into a dune | P2: grains tumble down the far side, so the dune moves Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: ? | P4: towns plant grass and build paths to protect dunes
Bo is finishing the ladders. Which gist belongs on the empty rung, P3?
- Planting grass has made dunes grow taller on most beaches.
- Planting grass is a wiser choice than building a sea wall.
- Marram grass sends its roots deep and spreads underground stems across the sand.
- Grass roots and leaves hold the sand in place and slow the wind.
Dunes on the Move (article)
[1] A sand dune is a hill of loose sand that the wind has gradually piled up over a long time. [2] Wind lifts grains from the bare ground and carries them in short hops until its force weakens. [3] When the grains drop, they accumulate behind any bump or obstacle that stands in the way.
[4] Over time a dune can travel across the land. [5] Wind blows grains up the gentle side of the dune and over the crest, and the grains then tumble down the steep far side. [6] Because the sand keeps moving in this way, the whole hill creeps forward, sometimes by several meters in a year.
[7] Plants can slow this movement considerably. [8] Certain grasses, such as marram, send long roots deep into the sand and spread underground stems across it. [9] The roots hold grains in place, and the leaves slow the wind near the ground.
[10] Beach communities therefore plant native grasses to protect the dunes, which also guard the land behind them from storm waves. [11] Walking across the plants can break the stems and weaken the dune. [12] Many beaches now construct narrow paths and fences to keep visitors on designated routes. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: wind carries grains and piles them into a dune | P2: grains tumble down the far side, so the dune moves Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: grass roots and leaves hold the sand | P4: towns plant grass and build paths to protect dunes Draft summary: Wind builds dunes by dropping grains behind obstacles. Grains tumble down the far side, so a dune can move forward. Marram grass holds the sand in place with its roots. It is silly that visitors still walk across the plants.
Esme wrote a draft summary of the article. Which sentence does not belong in an objective summary?
- Grains tumble down the far side, so a dune can move forward.
- It is silly that visitors still walk across the plants.
- Wind builds dunes by dropping grains behind obstacles.
- Marram grass holds the sand in place with its roots.
Mapping the Sea Floor with Sound (article)
[1] The deep ocean is too dark and too deep for sunlight to reveal the sea floor. [2] Instead, research ships use sonar, a system that sends a pulse of sound down through the water. [3] The pulse bounces off the bottom, and a receiver on the ship listens carefully for the returning echo.
[4] Sound travels through seawater at roughly fifteen hundred meters per second. [5] By measuring exactly how long an echo takes to return, a computer can calculate the depth. [6] The computer divides the time by two, because the sound has traveled down and back.
[7] A ship that repeats this measurement as it sails gradually builds up a picture of the sea floor. [8] Newer systems send out a fan of many pulses at once, so each pass across the ocean covers a wide strip. [9] Over many passes, the strips fit together into a detailed map.
[10] Such maps have revealed mountain ranges, long ridges and deep trenches far below the surface. [11] Scientists use them to plan research, and ship crews use them to choose safe routes. [12] Large parts of the deep ocean floor have still not been mapped in detail. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: sonar sends a sound pulse and listens | P2: the echo time gives the depth Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: repeated pulses build a map | P4: maps show ridges and trenches, but much is unmapped Draft summary: Ships use sonar, which sends a pulse of sound down to the sea floor. A computer finds the depth from the time the echo takes to return. Repeated measurements build a map of mountains and trenches. It is amazing that anyone can map a place nobody can see.
Jun wrote a draft summary of the article. Which sentence does not belong in an objective summary?
- It is amazing that anyone can map a place nobody can see.
- Ships use sonar, which sends a pulse of sound down to the sea floor.
- A computer finds the depth from the time the echo takes to return.
- Repeated measurements build a map of mountains and trenches.
Mapping the Sea Floor with Sound (article)
[1] The deep ocean is too dark and too deep for sunlight to reveal the sea floor. [2] Instead, research ships use sonar, a system that sends a pulse of sound down through the water. [3] The pulse bounces off the bottom, and a receiver on the ship listens carefully for the returning echo.
[4] Sound travels through seawater at roughly fifteen hundred meters per second. [5] By measuring exactly how long an echo takes to return, a computer can calculate the depth. [6] The computer divides the time by two, because the sound has traveled down and back.
[7] A ship that repeats this measurement as it sails gradually builds up a picture of the sea floor. [8] Newer systems send out a fan of many pulses at once, so each pass across the ocean covers a wide strip. [9] Over many passes, the strips fit together into a detailed map.
[10] Such maps have revealed mountain ranges, long ridges and deep trenches far below the surface. [11] Scientists use them to plan research, and ship crews use them to choose safe routes. [12] Large parts of the deep ocean floor have still not been mapped in detail. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: sonar sends a sound pulse and listens | P2: the echo time gives the depth Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: repeated pulses build a map | P4: maps show ridges and trenches, but much is unmapped
Kira reads the article and its two ladders. Which summary tells both central ideas and adds no opinion?
- Ships send a pulse of sound to the sea floor and time the echo, which a computer turns into a depth, because sound travels through seawater at about fifteen hundred meters per second.
- Ships measure the depth of the sea by timing the echo of a sound pulse, and repeating this as they sail builds maps of ridges and trenches, though much of the sea floor is still unmapped.
- Ships measure the depth of the sea by timing the echo of a sound pulse, and repeating this builds maps of ridges and trenches, which is the smartest way to explore the ocean.
- Ships measure the depth of the sea by timing the echo of a sound pulse, and repeating this has now mapped the entire sea floor in fine detail, including its ridges and trenches.
Why Leaves Change Color (article)
[1] In spring and summer, leaves look green because they are full of chlorophyll. [2] This chemical captures sunlight so the tree can make sugar. [3] Chlorophyll is so plentiful that it hides other pigments in the leaf.
[4] As days grow shorter, the tree stops making new chlorophyll. [5] The old chlorophyll breaks down, and the green slowly fades. [6] Yellow and orange pigments called carotenoids, which were in the leaf all along, now show through.
[7] Red leaves have a different story. [8] In many trees, the red pigment, called anthocyanin, is made in autumn from sugars that stay trapped in the leaf. [9] Because it is made fresh each fall, its amount depends on the weather.
[10] Bright, sunny days and cool nights tend to produce the deepest reds. [11] A cloudy, warm autumn usually gives duller colors. [12] The exact mixture of pigments also differs among kinds of trees, which is why maples and oaks look different in fall. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: chlorophyll hides other colors in summer | P2: chlorophyll breaks down and yellow and orange show Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: ? | P4: weather and kind of tree change the colors
Milo is finishing the ladders. Which gist belongs on the empty rung, P3?
- The red pigment in leaves is called anthocyanin.
- Red color is made fresh in autumn from sugars that stay trapped in the leaf.
- Red leaves show that a tree is healthier than a tree with yellow leaves.
- Red leaves are the loveliest sight of the whole autumn.
Why Leaves Change Color (article)
[1] In spring and summer, leaves look green because they are full of chlorophyll. [2] This chemical captures sunlight so the tree can make sugar. [3] Chlorophyll is so plentiful that it hides other pigments in the leaf.
[4] As days grow shorter, the tree stops making new chlorophyll. [5] The old chlorophyll breaks down, and the green slowly fades. [6] Yellow and orange pigments called carotenoids, which were in the leaf all along, now show through.
[7] Red leaves have a different story. [8] In many trees, the red pigment, called anthocyanin, is made in autumn from sugars that stay trapped in the leaf. [9] Because it is made fresh each fall, its amount depends on the weather.
[10] Bright, sunny days and cool nights tend to produce the deepest reds. [11] A cloudy, warm autumn usually gives duller colors. [12] The exact mixture of pigments also differs among kinds of trees, which is why maples and oaks look different in fall. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: chlorophyll hides other colors in summer | P2: chlorophyll breaks down and yellow and orange show Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: red is made fresh in autumn from trapped sugars | P4: weather and kind of tree change the colors Draft summary: Chlorophyll hides yellow and orange pigments during summer. When chlorophyll breaks down in autumn, those pigments show through. Red pigment is made fresh from sugars trapped in the leaf. Red maple leaves are obviously prettier than yellow ones.
Noah wrote a draft summary of the article. Which sentence does not belong in an objective summary?
- When chlorophyll breaks down in autumn, those pigments show through.
- Chlorophyll hides yellow and orange pigments during summer.
- Red pigment is made fresh from sugars trapped in the leaf.
- Red maple leaves are obviously prettier than yellow ones.
Why Leaves Change Color (article)
[1] In spring and summer, leaves look green because they are full of chlorophyll. [2] This chemical captures sunlight so the tree can make sugar. [3] Chlorophyll is so plentiful that it hides other pigments in the leaf.
[4] As days grow shorter, the tree stops making new chlorophyll. [5] The old chlorophyll breaks down, and the green slowly fades. [6] Yellow and orange pigments called carotenoids, which were in the leaf all along, now show through.
[7] Red leaves have a different story. [8] In many trees, the red pigment, called anthocyanin, is made in autumn from sugars that stay trapped in the leaf. [9] Because it is made fresh each fall, its amount depends on the weather.
[10] Bright, sunny days and cool nights tend to produce the deepest reds. [11] A cloudy, warm autumn usually gives duller colors. [12] The exact mixture of pigments also differs among kinds of trees, which is why maples and oaks look different in fall. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: chlorophyll hides other colors in summer | P2: chlorophyll breaks down and yellow and orange show Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: red is made fresh in autumn from trapped sugars | P4: weather and kind of tree change the colors
Pia reads the article and its two ladders. Which summary tells both central ideas and adds no opinion?
- Leaves turn yellow and orange when chlorophyll breaks down, while red is made fresh in autumn, and a tree with red leaves will grow faster the next spring.
- Leaves turn yellow and orange when chlorophyll breaks down, and red is made fresh in autumn, in a pigment called anthocyanin that maples and many other trees build from trapped sugars.
- Leaves turn yellow and orange when the tree stops making chlorophyll and the old green breaks down, revealing carotenoids that were in the leaf all along.
- Leaves turn yellow and orange when chlorophyll breaks down and reveals pigments that were there all along, while red is made fresh in autumn, so the weather changes how bright the colors look.
Why the Moon Changes Shape (article)
[1] The Moon does not make any light of its own. [2] It shines because sunlight strikes its surface, and half of the Moon is always lit by the Sun. [3] The part of that lit half which we can see from Earth changes from night to night.
[4] The Moon circles Earth about once a month, and its changing position alters the view. [5] When the Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, the lit side faces away from us, and we see a new moon. [6] When the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, the whole lit side faces us, and we see a full moon.
[7] The phases follow a steady cycle that lasts about twenty-nine and a half days. [8] A thin crescent gradually grows to a half moon, then to a full moon, and then shrinks again. [9] People have used this predictable cycle to keep calendars for thousands of years.
[10] The Moon also rises approximately fifty minutes later each day. [11] That happens because the Moon moves along its orbit while Earth turns. [12] As a result, a full moon rises near sunset, while a half moon in the last week of the cycle rises around midnight. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: half the Moon is always lit | P2: the Moon's position decides how much lit side we see Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: the phases repeat in a cycle of about a month | P4: moonrise comes about fifty minutes later each day
Ren reads the article and its two ladders. Which summary tells both central ideas and adds no opinion?
- The Moon shines by reflected sunlight, and its place in orbit decides how much of its lit half we see, in a cycle of about a month that makes the Moon the most mysterious object in the sky.
- The Moon shines by reflected sunlight, and its place in orbit decides how much of its lit half we see, in a cycle of about a month that also controls the weather on Earth.
- The Moon shines by reflected sunlight, and its place in orbit decides how much of its lit half we see, in a cycle of about twenty-nine and a half days that also delays moonrise each day.
- Half of the Moon is lit by the Sun, a full moon appears when Earth is between the Moon and the Sun, a new moon appears when the Moon is between them, and the phases follow a cycle of about a month.
Why the Moon Changes Shape (article)
[1] The Moon does not make any light of its own. [2] It shines because sunlight strikes its surface, and half of the Moon is always lit by the Sun. [3] The part of that lit half which we can see from Earth changes from night to night.
[4] The Moon circles Earth about once a month, and its changing position alters the view. [5] When the Moon sits between Earth and the Sun, the lit side faces away from us, and we see a new moon. [6] When the Moon is on the opposite side of Earth from the Sun, the whole lit side faces us, and we see a full moon.
[7] The phases follow a steady cycle that lasts about twenty-nine and a half days. [8] A thin crescent gradually grows to a half moon, then to a full moon, and then shrinks again. [9] People have used this predictable cycle to keep calendars for thousands of years.
[10] The Moon also rises approximately fifty minutes later each day. [11] That happens because the Moon moves along its orbit while Earth turns. [12] As a result, a full moon rises near sunset, while a half moon in the last week of the cycle rises around midnight. Ladder A (paragraphs 1 and 2): P1: half the Moon is always lit | P2: the Moon's position decides how much lit side we see Ladder B (paragraphs 3 and 4): P3: the phases repeat in a cycle of about a month | P4: moonrise comes about fifty minutes later each day Draft summary: Half of the Moon is lit by the Sun at any time. The Moon's position in its orbit decides how much of that half we see. The phases repeat in a cycle of about twenty-nine and a half days. A full moon is far more exciting than a crescent.
Zee wrote a draft summary of the article. Which sentence does not belong in an objective summary?
- The phases repeat in a cycle of about twenty-nine and a half days.
- The Moon's position in its orbit decides how much of that half we see.
- Half of the Moon is lit by the Sun at any time.
- A full moon is far more exciting than a crescent.