Which approach best ensures a concise summary of a passage?

• A. Restating every sentence exactly as it appears
• B. Mentioning the author’s biography in the summary
• C. Including personal opinions to interpret the text
• D. Identify the central idea and main supporting points, and restate without minor details in a few sentences

Answer: (D)

The main idea being tested is how to create a concise, accurate summary of a passage. A strong summary zeroes in on the central idea—the main message the author is conveying—and the key supporting points that explain or back up that idea. It should be restated in your own words and kept brief, leaving out minor details, examples, or quotations that aren’t essential to the overall meaning.

This approach is best because it gives a clear, efficient overview of what the passage is about. By focusing on the central idea and the main points, you capture the core argument or message without getting bogged down in unnecessary specifics. It also avoids adding anything outside the text, such as personal interpretations or irrelevant background, which could distort the summary or make it longer than needed.

Other options don’t fit a concise summary. Repeating every sentence copies the entire text and isn’t concise. Adding the author’s biography brings in information not needed to understand the passage’s message. Including personal opinions shifts the task from summarizing to interpretation. The told-and-true approach of identifying the central idea and its main supporting points and restating them briefly best preserves meaning while staying concise.