Paraphrasing Sources and Writing a Summary in Your Own Words — Answers
Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the Year 8 informative writing worksheet.
Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheetYear 8 · English · Informative WritingParaphrasing Sources and Writing a Summary in Your Own Words — Answers
Part A: Main ideas and details
- ABees make honey.
- BBees pollinate plants by carrying pollen from flower to flower, which allows plants to make seeds and fruit.
- CBees have fine hairs on their bodies.
- DFlowers produce nectar.
Answer: Bees pollinate plants by carrying pollen from flower to flower, which allows plants to make seeds and fruit.
The other options are details or are too narrow. The main idea is the bee's role in pollination.
Answer: Model: Many foods people eat depend on bees and other pollinators.
Answer: Model: Some bee populations are declining, for several complex reasons including habitat loss and pesticides.
Answer: Model: People can help bees by planting flowers and avoiding pesticides.
Answer: False
It is supporting detail (examples). A short summary keeps the main point (many foods depend on pollinators) and drops most examples.
Part B: Paraphrasing
A good paraphrase uses your own words and sentence structure but keeps the original meaning. Changing only one or two words is still copying.
- AMany of the crops that people eat rely on pollinators.
- BA large number of the foods we grow need insects such as bees to pollinate them.
- CPollinators eat many crops.
- DCrops are important.
Answer: A large number of the foods we grow need insects such as bees to pollinate them.
Option A only swaps one word, so it is too close to the original. C changes the meaning. D leaves out the key idea. B uses new wording and keeps the meaning.
- AScientists say there are several reasons, including fewer wild flowers and places to nest.
- BResearchers have found that the only cause is the loss of wild flowers.
- CAlthough there is no single cause, the disappearance of wild flowers and nesting sites is one factor experts identify.
Answer: Researchers have found that the only cause is the loss of wild flowers.
The original says the causes are complex; saying the only cause is the loss of flowers changes the meaning.
Answer: Model: If gardeners grow many kinds of flowers that open in different months, bees will have something to feed on all year round.
Answer: Any three: read the passage, then cover it and write from memory; change the sentence structure, not just individual words; use synonyms for non-technical words; keep technical terms such as pollination; check that the meaning has not changed; acknowledge the source.
Part C: Write the summary
Model answer: The article "Why Bees Matter" explains that the most valuable thing bees do is pollinate plants, carrying pollen between flowers so that seeds and fruit can form. Many food crops rely on this work. However, some bee populations have fallen in recent decades because of habitat loss, pesticides, disease and changing weather. The article suggests that people can support bees by growing a range of flowers and using fewer pesticides. (70 words)
Success criteria:
- Source acknowledged at the start
- Main idea of each paragraph included
- Minor details and examples left out
- Written in own words and sentence structures
- Meaning of the original kept accurately
- Within the 60–80 word limit
Marking tips
- Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
- For open-ended tasks, use the success criteria as a checklist rather than looking for one "right" answer.
- Celebrate what went well first, then pick one thing to work on next.