Question: May 2022 Paper 13 -Question 1f

According to Text B, why do people have negative attitudes to snakes and why are these attitudes unfair and unjustified?

You must use continuous writing (not note form) and use your own words as far as possible. Your summary should not be more than 120 words.

Summary:

People hold negative attitudes towards snakes due to fear of the unknown. A lack of education fosters myths and misinformation, often portraying snakes as dangerous killers. Media reinforces these misconceptions, ignoring the ecological importance of snakes. These attitudes are unjustified as snakes play a critical role in balancing ecosystems, controlling pests, and reducing diseases like Lyme disease by managing rodent populations. Unlike other species, snakes face unwarranted fear and discrimination based on emotions rather than facts. They are valuable for providing free, natural pest control and display behaviors such as nurturing their offspring. Misguided negativity hinders conservation efforts, which are vital to preserving snakes and their significant contributions to the environment.

Analysis:

• Organized and Structured Ideas: The response is divided into two clear sections: reasons for negative attitudes and why these attitudes are unfair. Logical flow ensures coherence and purpose.
• Vocabulary and Sentence Structures: A range of topic-specific vocabulary (e.g., "myths," "ecological importance," "unjustified") and varied sentence structures (simple, compound, complex) are used effectively for clarity and variety.
• Accuracy: Spelling, punctuation, and grammar are accurate throughout. Subject-verb agreement and proper use of clauses enhance the response's quality.

Expert Tips for Writing Effective Summaries

General Requirements for Summary Writing (Based on Mark Schemes)

• Demonstrate Understanding of the Text: Identify the main ideas and key points. Avoid including irrelevant details or examples not central to the summary task. Show that you understand the text by presenting a concise and accurate overview.
• Focus on the Question: Address the specific question or task prompt. Organize your summary according to the required points or subheadings in the question.
• Use Your Own Words: Paraphrase the original text effectively. Avoid copying large chunks of text verbatim (except for technical terms or proper nouns).
• Maintain Clarity and Precision: Use concise sentences and avoid unnecessary repetition. Be clear and direct, ensuring every sentence contributes to the overall purpose of the summary.
• Stay Within the Word Limit: Adhere strictly to the word count (e.g., 120 words). Practice condensing ideas into short, impactful sentences.
• Grammar, Spelling, and Punctuation: Use proper grammar and punctuation to ensure your summary is professional and polished. Avoid spelling mistakes, which can distract from your content.

Steps to Writing a Good Summary

• Read and Understand the Source Text: Read the text carefully at least twice to grasp its meaning. Highlight key points, main ideas, and any examples provided.
• Identify the Core Ideas: Identify the most relevant points based on the question or prompt. Ignore minor details, examples, and illustrative anecdotes unless they are essential to the question.
• Organize Your Points: Group related ideas together logically. Create a mental or written structure for your summary.
• Write in Continuous Prose: Avoid bullet points or note form unless specified. Use connecting phrases like "therefore," "as a result," or "in addition" to ensure smooth flow.
• Use a Neutral Tone: Avoid including personal opinions or emotions unless required. Stick to facts and information from the source text.
• Check the Word Count: Count your words after drafting. Edit your summary to ensure it is within the limit while retaining key ideas.

Dos and Don’ts of Summary Writing

Dos:

• Be concise: Keep your writing brief and to the point.
• Use linking words: Ensure coherence between sentences.
• Focus on main ideas: Highlight key points and avoid unnecessary details.
• Use varied sentence structures: Avoid monotony by combining simple, compound, and complex sentences.
• Review and edit: Check for clarity, grammar, and adherence to the word limit.

Don’ts:

• Avoid personal interpretations: Stick to the original ideas of the text.
• Don’t copy directly: Paraphrase effectively to show understanding.
• Don’t include minor details: Focus only on the essentials.
• Avoid repetitive language: Use synonyms and varied vocabulary for better impact.
• Don’t exceed the word limit: Overshooting the word count can lead to loss of marks.

Useful Tips for Summary Writing

• Practice Active Reading: While reading the source text, actively underline or note key points. This will help you focus on the main ideas and ignore irrelevant information.
• Master Paraphrasing: Use synonyms, change sentence structures, and rephrase ideas in your own words.
• Understand Synonym Usage: Replace common words with synonyms to avoid repetition. However, ensure that the meaning is not altered.
• Prioritize Information: Start with the most critical points. If the word limit is tight, eliminate the least important details first.
• Practice Writing Within Time Limits: Summaries often need to be completed in exams under time pressure. Practice summarizing texts within specified timeframes to improve efficiency.
• Review Marking Criteria: Familiarize yourself with typical mark schemes for summary writing. Focus on points like understanding, language accuracy, and organization.
• Avoid Writing in Chronological Order (Unless Necessary): Summaries don’t always need to follow the order of the source text. Organize ideas logically based on the question or task.
• Leave Time for Editing: After writing, review for grammar, spelling, and adherence to the word limit. Make corrections to ensure clarity and coherence.

Examples of Good Summaries

Example 1

Source Text: "Jane Goodall's work with chimpanzees highlights their intelligence, emotions, and ability to use tools. Her discoveries challenge the notion of human superiority and emphasize the need for conservation. Despite facing isolation and harsh conditions, she persevered, leading to groundbreaking research that inspires global efforts to protect biodiversity."

Summary: Jane Goodall’s work revealed chimpanzees’ intelligence and tool use, challenging human superiority. Her findings emphasize the importance of conservation and inspire efforts to protect biodiversity, despite the challenges she faced during her research.