How do you write a concise summary of a passage without minor details?

• A. List every example and anecdote in order.
• B. Focus on the most sensational detail.
• C. Identify the main idea and essential supporting points, then restate them briefly in your own words, omitting examples and details.
• D. Paraphrase every sentence exactly.

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is how to capture a passage’s essential meaning in a brief form. The best way is to identify the central idea and the essential supporting points, then restate them briefly in your own words, omitting examples and minor details. This approach keeps the summary focused on what matters most—the main message and the key arguments or developments that support it—without getting bogged down in specific examples or irrelevant details. By restating in your own words, you show understanding and avoid simply copying the text, which helps maintain clarity and conciseness.

Other options pull you away from that goal. Listing every example and anecdote adds unnecessary material. Focusing on the most sensational detail shifts attention to what might be dramatic rather than what’s important. Paraphrasing every sentence exactly would recreate the original length and wording rather than producing a true, concise summary.