Summarizing Paragraphs Practice

One more example:

Computers

Computers have become a necessity for both small and large businesses today. It
takes a computer less than a second to retrieve information that takes a person several
hours to obtain. It is for this reason that banks, airlines, and fast food restaurants rely so
heavily on them. In addition, computers can store large amounts of data in a relatively
small space. Because of this, offices need less storage space equipment such as file
cabinets and supply closets.

Annotations to help you with your summary

MI [Computers have become a necessity for both small and large businesses today.]
It takes a computer less than a second to retrieve information (D1) that takes a person
several hours to obtain. It is for this reason that banks, airlines, and fast food restaurants
rely so heavily on them. In addition, computers can store large amounts of data in a
relatively small space. (D2) For this reason, offices need less storage space such as file
cabinets and supply closets.
SUMMARY

Computers are important for businesses because of their speed in retrieving

information and their ability to store large amounts of data in small spaces.

B.A. Magaly Alvarez

Universidad Gerardo Barrios
English department
 ACTIVITY I

Summarize the following paragraphs. Follow the steps given by the teacher. Use as few
words as possible.

The Challenger Disaster by Mary Jones

By 1984, NASA, the United States space program, had carried out many successful flights
of the space shuttle. In fact, Americans were beginning to take the whole NASA program for
granted. Then, the president announced that the next shuttle would carry a school teacher into
space. Hundreds of teachers from all parts of the country applied for the job. They all wanted to
be the first teacher in space. During the next year, these adventurous educators were tested and
examined and trained. At last, the choice was announced. A teacher from New Hampshire,
Christa MacAuliffe, would be the first teacher-astronaut.

MI (the first teacher in space.)

By 1984, NASA, the United States space program, had carried out many successful flights
of the space shuttle. (D1)

In fact, Americans were beginning to take the whole NASA program for granted (D2).

The president announced that the next shuttle would carry a school teacher into space (D3).

Summary: By 1984 the USA space program had carried out many successful flights of the
space shuttle, they will have the first teacher at space her name is Christa MacAuliffe.

Many months of preparation and training followed the announcement. First, Christa went
through intensive physical training. She had to be in top condition for the flight. Then she learned
how to operate some of the delicate instruments on the Challenger space shuttle. Christa planned

B.A. Magaly Alvarez

Universidad Gerardo Barrios
English department
 special lesions, which she would teach from space. Finally, she trained with the astronauts, so
they could work as a team in space.
MI (Christa went through intensive physical training.)

Many months of preparation and training followed the announcement (D1)

Christa learned how to operate some of the delicate instruments on the Challenger space
shuttle. (2)
She had to be in top condition for the flight. (3).

Summary: Christa needed the intensive physical training, to be in top condition for the
flight.
And how to learn to operate some of the instruments on the Challenger space shuttle, and
work as a team in space.

B.A. Magaly Alvarez

Universidad Gerardo Barrios
English department
 Everyone knows what happened on that terrible day in January, 1986. Early in the
Morning, the Challenger crew had a good breakfast and discussed their plans. They made sure
they understood all of the work they would be doing during the flight. Later, they boarded a special
van, which carried them to the shuttle. The weather was rather cold, and some NASA officials
wondered if they should put off the flight. After some discussion, they decided to go ahead. The
Challenger took off over the Atlantic Ocean in Florida. Minutes later, it exploded in the air. All the
crew members died in the crash.

MI (Everyone knows what happened on that terrible day in January, 1986. Early in the
Morning)

The weather was rather cold, and some NASA officials wondered if they should put off the
flight. (D1)

The Challenger took off over the Atlantic Ocean in Florida (D2)

All the crew members died in the crash. (3)

Summary: In January, 1986. Early in the morning, the weather was bad in Florida, they had
doubts about the mission if go ahead or no. The Challenger took off over the Atlantic Ocean
in Florida. All the crew members died because it explode in the air.

ACTIVITY II

Go to the read and reflect material and work in the following activities:
Summarize the 1st paragraph of the reading: The consumer movement pg #84
Summarize the 5th paragraph of the reading: The consumer movement pg #85 line 45
Remember that a paragraph starts with indentation and ends with a period.
Solve exercise B of pg #85 about the same paragraph.
B.A. Magaly Alvarez
Universidad Gerardo Barrios
English department
 B.A. Magaly Alvarez
Universidad Gerardo Barrios
English department