As the WASSCE and BECE draw nearer, students must master how to answer the BECE and WASSCE summary questions for their English language papers. The summary is another form of comprehension that tests the ability of candidates to read, comprehend, and rewrite answers in their own words and a short and precise form.
Since WAEC began administering the WASSCE for school and private candidates who write the NOVDEC, SHS students have responded to summary questions in the BECE under the new Common Core Curriculum in 2019.
In this blog, the Education-News Consult provides a guide on how to answer BECE and WASSCE summary questions.
Question: What are the secrets to answering BECE and WASSCE summary questions?
Step One:
Read the questions twice before you read the passage. Ensure that during your second reading you identify the key issues the summary questions want and underline them in the questions. If you are able to tell what the questions want as anwers after reading them, you will be able to summarize the passages and paragrpahs easily. Onces you know what you want you will easily find them in the passage when you start reading.
Step Two:
Read the passage carefully, with the intention of understanding it. When reading the passage, do not introduce new meanings. Understand the passage and do not add any other knowledge you may have about it that contradicts the information in the passage.
Read the passage at least two times to get a better understanding. As you read, highlight sentences that resemble the answers you should provide for the questions you’ve already read. If you can, add the correponding question numbers to the undrlined answers in the passage for easy reference. This will help you find those answers easily.
Step Three:
Read the questions again to determine what to write in terms of answers that match the questions.
Step Four:
Pick out the underlined answers from the passage of questions one after the other and rewrite those points or ideas into new sentences. Reduce the length of the sentences and ensure that the answers communicate the same information as the passage, but in your own words. Do not lift sentences from the passage; if not, you will score a very low and disappointing mark.
Step Five:
Ensure that you write your answers in the required number of sentences.
There are several ways to phrase summary questions, like this:
a. Write a suitable title for the passage.
b. Summarize in three sentences.
c. In three sentences, summarise…
d. In a single sentence, provides an explanation for what the writer said about…
Ensure your sentences are less than 15 words. The shorter and more precise, the better.
If the question says for instance, For example, if the question asks you to summarise in three sentences, make sure you only provide three sentences, without adding or subtracting any.
Step Six:
Use a preamble when you are presenting answers that have more than one sentence.
For instance…
The author proposed the following measures to help reduce road accidents in Ghana:
[a] Drivers pay attention to road signs while driving.
[b] The authorities are maintaining and repairing damaged roads.
Step Sevem:
Before submitting the essays, carefully read through your answers and correct any errors.
READ: How to Answer the New BECE Questions By WAEC and NaCCA
Final Tips for Answering Summary Questions
- Identify the main idea in each question, and keep an eye out for it as you read the passage.
- Replace clauses and phrases that are answered with a single word or a shorter sentence.
- Remove all phrases not needed, which often add more information to the main subject in a paragraph. If you deal with these modifiers, you will be doing yourself a lot of good.
- Do not provide alternative answers when answering summary questions. This approach will make your answers too long.
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Solve the following summary: Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions it contains.
Railways have been a vital part of Ghana’s transportation network for decades. They facilitate the movement of people and goods across the country, contributing significantly to economic growth. Unfortunately, the railway system in Ghana faces numerous challenges, including inadequate infrastructure and insufficient funding.
The benefits of a well-functioning railway system are immense. It provides an affordable and efficient means of transporting large quantities of goods, which can boost trade and commerce. Railways also reduce the pressure on road networks, decreasing traffic congestion and road maintenance costs. Additionally, a robust railway system can create employment opportunities for many Ghanaians, from construction to operations.
However, several factors hinder the development of Ghana’s railway system. Corruption and mismanagement of funds allocated for railway projects lead to delays and substandard work. There is also a lack of investment in modern technology and maintenance, causing the existing infrastructure to deteriorate. Furthermore, political instability and changing government policies disrupt long-term planning and consistent progress.
Despite these challenges, revitalising Ghana’s railway system is essential. With proper investment, management, and maintenance, the railway can significantly contribute to the nation’s development, providing reliable transportation and supporting economic growth.
READ: 2024 BECE English Language Super Mock
Summary Questions
- Write a suitable title for the passage.
- In three sentences, summarise the three benefits of a well-functioning railway system.
- Summarize the three problems that hinder the development of Ghana’s railway system in three sentences.
Good luck to all of you as you prepare for the BECE and WASSCE. Do well to master the secrets to answering the BECE and WASSCE summary questions shared in this blog post.
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