Improving Your Reading with Summarising Sheba:
In Paris
John Scott and Arnaud Dubois walked together down a great boulevard
of Paris. The young American's heart was filled with grief and anger. The
Frenchman felt the same grief but also a fierce, burning rage best described
as a fury. Both had
heard the sound of
cannons on the horizon
that morning and they knew the
German conquerors were advancing.
They were always advancing. Nothing
had stopped them. The metal and stone
of the defences had crumbled before
their huge guns like china breaking
under a stone.
Less than one month later, the legions
were already invading the City of Light.
A sea of grey uniforms could be seen from the top of the Eiffel Tower as they approached the
city. It seemed that everything was lost before the war was fairly begun. John could feel the
weight of the enemy’s presence pressing upon him, giving him no time to breathe.
1. Which of the following statements best summarises the first paragraph? Tick one.
Soldiers were filled with fear at the sound of cannons.
John and Arnaud were furious with the impending invasion.
Metal and stonework collapsed due to cannon fire.
The invasion into Paris by the Germans had occurred.
2. The chapter this extract is taken from is called In Paris. Based on what you have read
so far, write a new title for this chapter.
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In Paris
3. Summarise the second paragraph in 20 words or less.
4. Number the following summaries from 1-5 to show the order in which they appear. The
first one has been done for you.
1 John and Arnaud walked together down the boulevard.
A recap is given of the previous damage caused by the German army.
Both men felt anger and grief over the impending invasion.
Invading soldiers in grey uniforms are observed from the Eiffel Tower.
Legions invade Paris less than one month later.
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In Paris
Answers
1. Which of the following statements best summarises the first paragraph? Tick one.
Soldiers were filled with fear at the sound of cannons.
John and Arnaud were furious with the impending invasion.
Metal and stonework collapsed due to cannon fire.
The invasion into Paris by the Germans had occurred.
2. The chapter this extract is taken from is called In Paris. Based on what you have read so
far, write a new title for this chapter.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: City at War
3. Summarise the second paragraph in 20 words or less.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: John felt the pressure of the enemy invading Paris.
Their grey uniforms could be seen from the Eiffel Tower.
4. Number the following summaries from 1-5 to show the order in which they appear. The
first one has been done for you.
1 John and Arnaud walked together down the boulevard.
3 A recap is given of the previous damage caused by the German army.
2 Both men felt anger and grief over the impending invasion.
5 Invading soldiers in grey uniforms are observed from the Eiffel Tower.
4 Legions invade Paris less than one month later.
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