EIKEN PRE-1 · SUMMARY WRITING 1 EIKEN PRE-1 SUMMARY WRITING Name: ____________________________________________ Date: __________________ Part 1 · What is a summary? A summary is a short version of a longer text. It includes the most important information, not every detail. It should not include your personal opinion. Read the passage Many people are choosing to work from home rather than travel to an office every day. This arrangement can save employees time and money because they do not need to commute. It may also improve their work-life balance. However, working remotely can make communication difficult. Employees may feel isolated because they have fewer opportunities to interact with their colleagues. Some companies are concerned that teamwork may become less effective. Exercise 1 · Choose the best summary A. Many people work from home because they do not like traveling to offices. They can save money and spend more time with their families. However, some employees feel lonely. B. Working from home offers benefits such as saving time and money and improving work-life balance. However, it may create communication difficulties, isolation and problems with teamwork. C. Many companies allow employees to work from home. Employees do not have to travel to work every morning. Some people enjoy this arrangement, while others do not like it. D. Working from home is becoming popular. It saves money, improves communication and allows employees to work more effectively with their colleagues. 1. Which answer includes both advantages and disadvantages? ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Which answer contains information that is not supported by the passage? ________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Which answer is too focused on individual details? ________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Why is B more effective than the other answers? ________________________________________________________________________________ Part 2 · Finding the main idea Choose the sentence that best expresses the main idea of each paragraph. Exercise 2 · Multiple choice 1. Many schools have started using digital textbooks instead of traditional printed books. These textbooks are easy to update and can contain videos and interactive activities. Students can also carry several textbooks on one device. However, some teachers worry that students may become distracted by other applications. A. Students enjoy watching videos during lessons. B. Digital textbooks offer convenience and interactive features, although they may cause distractions. C. Traditional textbooks are too heavy for students. D. Teachers do not want students to use electronic devices. 2. In recent years, several cities have introduced bicycle-sharing programs. These services allow people to rent bicycles for short periods, making transportation more convenient. They can also reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. However, some cities struggle to provide enough bicycles and parking spaces. A. Bicycle-sharing programs are free in every city. EIKEN PRE-1 · SUMMARY WRITING 2 B. Many people prefer bicycles to public transportation. C. Bicycle-sharing programs offer environmental and transportation benefits but also present practical challenges. D. Cities should build more roads for cars. 3. Some companies have introduced four-day working weeks. Supporters believe employees become more productive because they have more time to rest. They also argue that shorter working weeks can improve employees' happiness. However, critics worry that employees may need to work longer hours on the remaining days. A. Four-day working weeks can improve employee well-being, but they may also create difficulties. B. All companies should close for three days every week. C. Employees do not enjoy working long hours. D. Companies are becoming less productive. Exercise 3 · Write the main idea Write the main idea of each paragraph in 15 words or fewer. 1. Many governments are investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. These sources produce less pollution than fossil fuels and can help countries reduce their dependence on imported energy. However, renewable energy production can be unreliable because it depends on weather conditions. In addition, building the necessary facilities can be expensive. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Online education has become increasingly popular because students can study from almost anywhere. It also allows people to learn at their own pace. Nevertheless, online courses require self-discipline, and students may find it difficult to receive immediate assistance from teachers. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Part 3 · Important information and extra details Exercise 4 · Keep or remove? Tourism and local communities Tourism can bring significant economic benefits to local communities. Visitors spend money at hotels, restaurants and local businesses, creating employment opportunities. For example, a small seaside town may receive thousands of visitors during the summer holidays. Tourism can also encourage governments to improve public transportation and public facilities. However, large numbers of visitors may damage natural environments and create overcrowding. Local residents may also experience higher living costs. Write K (Keep) or R (Remove) beside each point. 1. Tourism can benefit local economies. ______ 2. Visitors spend money at hotels and restaurants. ______ 3. A seaside town may receive thousands of visitors during summer. ______ 4. Tourism creates employment opportunities. ______ 5. Governments may improve public facilities. ______ 6. Large numbers of tourists can harm the environment. ______ 7. Local residents may face higher living costs. ______ 8. Tourists visit many different types of restaurants. ______ EIKEN PRE-1 · SUMMARY WRITING 3 Exercise 5 · Find the unnecessary sentence Each paragraph contains one sentence that is less important than the others. Cross it out. 1. Public transportation can help reduce traffic congestion in large cities. When more people use buses and trains, fewer private cars are needed on the roads. This can also reduce air pollution. Some people enjoy listening to music while traveling by train. Therefore, improving public transportation may benefit both cities and the environment. 2. Learning a foreign language can improve career opportunities. Employees who speak multiple languages may communicate with international customers more effectively. This ability can also help companies expand into overseas markets. Some people prefer studying languages in the morning. As a result, language skills can be valuable in the workplace. 3. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used in healthcare. It can help doctors identify diseases more quickly by analyzing medical information. It may also reduce the time required for certain administrative tasks. Many hospitals have white walls and large waiting rooms. However, some people worry about the privacy of patients' personal information. Part 4 · Paraphrasing Paraphrasing means expressing the same idea in different words. Exercise 6 · Choose the best replacement 1. Technology can improve education. a. enhance b. prevent c. damage 2. Pollution can harm the environment. a. protect b. damage c. develop 3. Public transportation can reduce traffic. a. increase b. prevent c. decrease 4. The government faces several problems. a. issues b. advantages c. solutions 5. Education is essential for economic development. a. unnecessary b. important c. expensive 6. The new system may benefit local residents. a. help b. confuse c. replace Useful words Original Possible alternative important essential help assist / benefit difficult challenging increase rise / grow decrease reduce / decline improve enhance problems issues / challenges benefits advantages expensive costly harmful damaging create produce Exercise 7 · Rewrite the sentences Rewrite each sentence using different words or sentence structures. Keep the original meaning. 1. Many people use the internet to find information. ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Technology makes communication easier. ________________________________________________________________________________ EIKEN PRE-1 · SUMMARY WRITING 4 3. Governments should protect the environment. ________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Some employees find working from home difficult. ________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Public transportation helps people save money. ________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Plastic waste damages marine environments. ________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Some schools provide students with free meals. ________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Online shopping allows customers to purchase products easily. ________________________________________________________________________________ Exercise 8 · Combine the sentences Combine each pair into one natural sentence. 1. Renewable energy reduces pollution. It also reduces dependence on fossil fuels. ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. Online education is convenient. It allows students to study at their own pace. ________________________________________________________________________________ 3. Public transportation is affordable. It helps reduce traffic congestion. ________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Working remotely saves commuting time. It can also improve work-life balance. ________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Tourism creates jobs. It generates income for local businesses. ________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Artificial intelligence improves efficiency. It can also reduce human errors. ________________________________________________________________________________ Part 5 · Organizing information Useful linking expressions Purpose Expressions Adding ideas Furthermore · Additionally · Moreover Showing contrast However · Nevertheless · On the other hand Showing reasons Because · Since · Due to Showing results Therefore · As a result · Consequently Giving examples For example · For instance Exercise 9 · Choose the correct linking expression 1. Online education is convenient. ______, students can study from different locations. (a. However b. Furthermore c. Nevertheless) 2. Renewable energy reduces pollution. ______, its installation can be expensive. (a. However b. Therefore c. For example) EIKEN PRE-1 · SUMMARY WRITING 5 3. Many people use private cars. ______, traffic congestion has become a serious issue. (a. In addition b. As a result c. Nevertheless) 4. Some companies offer flexible working hours. ______, employees can choose when to start their work. (a. For instance b. However c. Consequently) 5. Public transportation is affordable. ______, it can be less convenient in rural areas. (a. Furthermore b. Nevertheless c. As a result) Exercise 10 · Put the sentences in the correct order Topic: The use of electric vehicles A. However, electric vehicles can be expensive to purchase. B. Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in many countries. C. As a result, they may help reduce air pollution in urban areas. D. One reason for this is that they do not produce exhaust emissions while driving. Correct order: ______ → ______ → ______ → ______ Explain your answer: ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Part 6 · Guided summary practice Should Cities Introduce More Green Spaces? Many cities are creating more green spaces, such as public parks and gardens. These areas provide residents with places to exercise, relax and spend time outdoors. They can also improve air quality and help reduce high temperatures in urban areas. Supporters argue that green spaces improve people's physical and mental health. Parks encourage residents to become more active, while trees provide shade and help reduce air pollution. Green spaces can also make cities more attractive to visitors and businesses. However, creating and maintaining green spaces can be expensive. Cities must purchase land, build facilities and pay workers to maintain these areas. In addition, some people argue that valuable land should be used for housing or commercial buildings instead. Exercise 11 · Analyze the passage A. What is the main topic? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ B. What is the main information in Paragraph 1? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ C. What is the main information in Paragraph 2? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ D. What is the main information in Paragraph 3? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ E. Identify three advantages mentioned in the passage. EIKEN PRE-1 · SUMMARY WRITING 6 ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ F. Identify two disadvantages mentioned in the passage. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ G. Which details could be removed? Explain why: (1) Cities must purchase land. (2) Green spaces can improve people's health. (3) Workers must maintain parks. (4) Some people prefer using land for commercial buildings. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Exercise 12 · Make a summary plan Topic: __________________________________________________________________________ Main benefit: __________________________________________________________________________ Second benefit: __________________________________________________________________________ Main disadvantage: __________________________________________________________________________ Second disadvantage: __________________________________________________________________________ Part 7 · Independent practice The Growth of Online Shopping Online shopping has become increasingly common around the world. Consumers can purchase products at any time without visiting physical stores. This saves time and allows people to compare prices easily. Online businesses can also reach customers in different regions and countries. Supporters argue that online shopping provides greater convenience and more choices. Consumers can access a wide range of products, including items that may not be available in local stores. Furthermore, businesses can reduce some operating expenses by selling products online. However, online shopping also creates several problems. Customers cannot examine products before purchasing them, which may lead to disappointment. Delivery services can also contribute to traffic and environmental pollution. In addition, traditional shops may struggle to compete with large online retailers. Exercise 13 · Analyze the passage Complete the questions using your own words. Do not write a full summary yet. 1. What is the main topic? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 2. What are two advantages of online shopping? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What are two disadvantages? ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Identify one example or detail that can be removed. EIKEN PRE-1 · SUMMARY WRITING 7 ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Write the main idea of each paragraph. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Find three words or expressions that you could paraphrase. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Write a short outline using your own words. ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________