Para-summary questions ask you to select the option that captures a paragraph's central message most accurately and concisely. A good summary includes the main idea, preserves the author's tone and scope, and avoids adding details not supported by the text.

1. What a good summary does

• States the paragraph's central claim, theme, or conclusion.
• Includes only essential supporting information.
• Preserves the author's level of certainty, such as may, often, or always.
• Uses a scope that is neither broader nor narrower than the original.
• Avoids examples, minor details, and unrelated background.

2. A reliable solving method

1. Read the paragraph once for its overall point, not each individual detail.
2. Identify the topic and what the author says about that topic.
3. Notice contrast words such as however, but, yet, and although; the main point often follows them.
4. Eliminate options that introduce a new claim, exaggerate, or focus on one example.
5. Choose the shortest option that still captures the complete central idea.

3. Common summary traps

• Too broad: the option makes a claim wider than the paragraph allows.
• Too narrow: it summarizes an example rather than the main point.
• Distortion: it changes a qualified claim into an absolute one.
• Outside information: it may be true but is not stated or implied by the paragraph.
• Partial summary: it captures one point but misses the conclusion or contrast.

4. Preserve tone and certainty

Pay close attention to words that show degree or attitude. A paragraph saying a policy may help is not claiming it will solve every problem. Likewise, a balanced passage that notes benefits and drawbacks should not be summarized as entirely positive or negative.

Common mistakes

• Choosing an option because it repeats familiar words from the paragraph.
• Confusing a supporting example with the main conclusion.
• Ignoring qualifiers that limit the author's claim.
• Preferring a detailed option even when it misses the central idea.
• Adding personal knowledge that is not present in the passage.

Quick revision summary

• Find topic plus the author's main point.
• Keep the same scope, certainty, and tone.
• Reject extra information, exaggeration, and minor details.
• The best answer is concise but complete.