Note-Making & Summarising

Note-Making & Summarising

This task tests whether you can read a passage, pick out its essential ideas, and present them in a compact, organised form — a skill useful for revision and research. It has two parts: making notes and writing a summary based on those notes.

Note-Making — exact format expected.

• Begin with a short title for the passage.
• Arrange points under headings and sub-headings (usually 3-4 main headings, each with sub-points).
• Use numbering/indentation (1, 1.1, 1.2 / or -, --) to show the hierarchy clearly.
• Write in phrases, not full sentences; drop articles and link words.
• Use a consistent key to abbreviations — provide a small list of at least four abbreviations you have used (e.g. govt. = government, & = and, edu. = education).

Summary — exact format expected. Based only on the notes, write a single connected paragraph (usually about one-third of the original, around 50-80 words). Use full sentences and your own words; include no new information and no personal opinion.

CBSE marking scheme (typically 5 marks, split 3 + 2). Notes: title, logical headings/sub-headings, correct hierarchy, abbreviation key – about 3 marks. Summary: accurate coverage of main points in a connected paragraph within the word limit – about 2 marks.

Model example (notes skeleton).

Title: Benefits of Regular Exercise

1. Physical benefits
   1.1 improves heart & lung fn.
   1.2 controls wt. & BP
2. Mental benefits
   2.1 reduces stress & anxiety
   2.2 improves sleep & focus
3. Long-term value
   3.1 prevents lifestyle diseases
   3.2 increases life expectancy

Key to abbreviations:
fn. = function   wt. = weight
BP = blood pressure   & = and

Summary: Regular exercise improves physical health by strengthening the heart and lungs and controlling weight and blood pressure. It also benefits the mind, reducing stress and improving sleep and focus. Over time, it helps prevent lifestyle diseases and increases life expectancy, making it essential for overall well-being. …