Study Skills 2015 Model Answers for Summaries
You should write the outline first!!There is no point in writing the outline after you have completed the summary.
(Why?)
Note:
1. These are possible answers, not the only correct ones.
2. Do not look at the model answer until you have finished your own first
version.
Reading Passages: 1
1. Outline
I. Speed at reading should not be the only measurement of effective reading.
A. If the passage is complex, slow reading is better.
B. If the purpose requires memorizing, slow reading is better.
C. Inexperienced readers will necessarily read more slowly than experienced
readers.
D. Unskilled readers will inevitably read more slowly than skilled readers.
Summary
Speed at reading should not be the only measurement of effective reading. If the passage is complex, or if the purpose requires memorizing, slow reading is better. Inexperienced readers will necessarily read more slowly than experienced readers, and unskilled readers will inevitably read more slowly than skilled readers.
2.
Outline
I. One way of dealing with serious problems is to deny them by turning
them into something else.
A. For example, it is possible to act as if it is other people who have
the problem rather than ourselves.
i) A businessman who regrets his ruthless behavior may criticise the behavior
of his colleagues instead of his own.
ii) A young man who regrets making his girlfriend go away with him may
rebuke her for making him go away with her.
Summary
One way of dealing with problems that worry us is to change them in a way that helps them to be ignored. For example, we can convince ourselves that it is not us but other people who have the problem. Thus, a businessman who regrets his ruthless
behavior may criticise the behavior of his colleagues instead of his own.
Similarly, a young man who regrets making his girlfriend go away with him
may blame the girlfriend for making him go away with her.
Note: Here, italics are used for emphasis. In fact, the use of italics
for foreign words and to indicate emphasis is very close to the use of
katakana in Japanese.
The Beginning of the Japanese University Year (Short version) SS textbook
p.46
Outline
I. Universities in Japan should begin the academic year in late August
or mid-September rather than in April.
A. This would help existing students who want to spend a year studying
at the many overseas universities with years that start around that time.
B. It would also help new students.
i) The transition from a life focussed on entrance examinations to the
freedom of university would be less sudden.
ii) In the extra time before class began they would be able to have various
new experiences that would help them to get ready for this new period in
their lives.
Summary
Universities in Japan should begin the academic year in late August or
mid-September rather than in April. This would help existing students who
want to spend a year at the many overseas universities that start their
academic years around that time. It would also help new students. The transition
from a life focussed on entrance examinations to the freedom of university
would be less sudden. Moreover, in the extra time before classes began
they would be able to have various new experiences that would help them
to get ready for this new period in their lives.
London
Outline
I. London is an unmissable tourist destination. (Sentence 2 is the topic
sentence.)
A. It has many well-preserved buildings from the past.
B. The River Thames and the many parks give it great beauty.
C. There are many excellent museum and art galleries.
D. There are many choices of entertainment, with the theatres being of
a particularly high standard.
E. Surprisingly, perhaps, tourists who do not insist on luxury facilities
do not need to pay a lot of money.
Summary
London is an unmissable tourist destination. First, many of its old buildings have been kept in good condition. The River Thames and the many parks give it great beauty and there are many excellent museums and art galleries. There are also many choices of entertainment, with the theatres being of a particularly high standard. Surprisingly, perhaps, tourists who do not insist on luxury facilities do not need to pay a lot of money.
Writing Essays, p. 79
Outline
I Although the basic approach of traditional Chinese medicine is different
to that of Western medicine, it can be effective, at least for minor illnesses.
A. Western medicine
1. The purpose of Western medicine is to find a quick-working solution
for each illness.
2. Each illness is dealt with separately.
3. Individuals with the same illness are all dealt with in the same way.
B. Traditional Chinese medicine
1. The purpose of traditional Chinese medicine is to restore the overall
balance of each patient's body.
2. The illness is a symptom of a problem in the overall balance of the
patient's body rather than an actual health problem itself.
3. The medicine will not treat the illness itself, but restore the overall
balance and therefore cure the illness indirectly.
Summary:
Although the basic approach of traditional Chinese medicine is different
to that of Western medicine, it can be effective, at least for minor illnesses.
The purpose of Western medicine is to find a quick-working solution for
each illness. Each illness is dealt with separately, and individuals with
the same illness are all dealt with in the same way. By contrast, the purpose
of traditional Chinese medicine is to restore the overall balance of each
patient's body. The illness is a symptom of a problem in the overall balance
of the patient's body rather than an actual health problem itself. The
medicine will not treat the illness itself, but restore the overall balance
and therefore cure the illness indirectly.
Writing Essays, pp. 99-100.
Outline:
I. Although we must find something to replace fossil fuels, nuclear power
is not the answer.
II. Nuclear power is expensive.
A. It depends on source materials that have short- and long-term cost problems
similar to those of fossil fuels.
B. Nuclear plants and their workers cannot be supplied at low cost without
causing safety problems.
III. Nuclear substances are dangerous.
A. Both the miners who extract the source materials and the nuclear workers
who handle them are exposed to radioactivity.
B. Nuclear waste is also radioactive and therefore hard to deal with.
IV. Nuclear accidents may occur.
A. Problems with buildings or machinery have led to leaks of radioactive
material.
B. Mistakes by workers have led to leaks of radioactive material.
C. Natural disasters have led to leaks of radioactive material.
Summary:
Although we must find something to replace fossil fuels, nuclear power is not the answer. First, nuclear power is expensive. It depends on source materials that have short- and long-term cost problems similar to those of fossil fuels. Moreover, nuclear plants and their workers cannot be supplied at low cost without causing safety problems. Second, nuclear substances are dangerous. Both the miners who extract the source materials and the nuclear workers who handle them are exposed to radioactivity. Nuclear waste is also radioactive and therefore hard to deal with. In addition, nuclear accidents may occur at any time, and have already done so. Problems with buildings and machinery, mistakes by workers, and natural disasters have all led to leaks of radioactive material.
Reading Passages
3. Outline (Note how I changed the order. How, and why?)
I. Science and technology may appear to be almost the same, but this is
not in fact the case.
A. Experts in technology often make "scientific" discoveries
about basic natural principles and the way in which they function, but
their focus is on how to make practical use of the knowledge that scientists
have acquired.
B. Experts in science often turn their findings to practical use, but their
focus is on discovering and investigating the basic principles that lie
at the root of almost all recent technological developments, including
those that rely on electricity.
Note: I used quotation marks ("") with the word "scientific"
in A. to show that I meant "discoveries that are called scientific".
This is similar to the use of 「いわゆる」 in Japanese.
Summary:
Science and technology may appear to be almost the same, but this is not
in fact the case. It is true that experts in technology often make "scientific"
discoveries about basic natural principles and the way in which they function.
However, their focus is on how to make practical use of the knowledge that
scientists have acquired. Similarly, experts in science often turn their
findings to practical use. Even so, their focus is on discovering and investigating
basic principles. Their work forms the roots of almost all recent technological
developments, including those that rely on electricity.
4. Outline (Note how I changed the order. How, and why?)
I: There is no evidence that the many women in America who work do so because that is their main goal in life.
A: Women without husbands have no alternative.
B: Many women with husbands also need to earn money.
C: A survey of women who work showed that only 15% would continue in their
jobs if their income was not needed any more.
Summary:
There is no evidence that the many women in America who work do so because
that is their main goal in life. Both women without husbands and those
with husbands work because they need the money. In fact, a survey of women
who work showed that only 15% would continue in their jobs if their income
was not needed any more.
Writing Essays, p. 13
Outline:
I Students who study literature at university will learn skills that they
can apply to any occupation.
A. They learn how to read carefully, and come to understand human nature
and how to interact in different circumstances. (teaching, business)
B. They learn how to express themselves clearly in writing. (writer, engineer)
C. They come to understand different ways of thinking. (people from different
cultures)
Summary:
Students who study literature at university will learn skills that they
can apply to any occupation, not only those closely linked to the humanities
such as teaching and writing, but business and engineering as well. They
learn how to read carefully, and how to express themselves clearly in writing.
Moreover, they develop sensitivity to differences in human nature and the
influence of different cultural backgrounds, and also learn how to interact
in a variety of different circumstances.
Writing Essays, p. 48
Outline
I. There are points in favor of studying in one's own country as well as in
studying abroad.
A. Studying abroad allows a student to live in a completely different environment,
which may help him or her to mature.
B. It gives a student many opportunities to learn the language of the country,
develop an understanding of another culture, and make new friends.
C. Staying in one's own country costs less money.
D. There is no need to cope with a new enviroment, so there will be no
language difficulties or culture shock.
E. It will be easy to maintain ties with one's family and existing friends.
Summary
There are points in favor of studying in one's own country as well as in
studying abroad. The latter allows a student to live in a completely different environment, which may help him or her
to mature. Moreover, it provides one with many opportunities to learn the language
of the country, make new friends, and develop an understanding of another
culture. On the other hand, the former costs less money. In addition, since there is no need to cope with a new enviroment, there will be no language difficulties or culture shock. Finally, it will be easy to maintain ties with one's family and existing friends.
Reading Passages: 1
5.
Outline
I: A story on the BBC website about a young Japanese dolphin trainer who no longer supports dolphin hunting may seem superficial because it starts with the photograph of a pretty girl. However, it makes people think both about dolphin hunting and about the way in which the media report it.
A: It shows that, contrary to the picture given by the Western media, not
all Japanese support dolphin hunting.
B: It shows that even a dolphin lover, like the trainer in the BBC story,
was willing to take part in the dolphin hunt by choosing which dolphins
should be saved from slaughter and trained.
C: She also revealed that non-Japanese came to buy dolphins for training
from the hunters, which shows that dolphin hunting is a problem not only
for Japanese people, but for all those who go to aquariums to see dolphins
performing tricks.
Summary
A story on the BBC website (22 April 2010) about a young Japanese dolphin
trainer who no longer supports dolphin hunting may seem superficial because
it starts with the photograph of a pretty girl. However, it makes people
think both about dolphin hunting and about the way in which the media reports
it. Obviously it shows that, contrary to the picture given by the Western
media, not all Japanese support dolphin hunting. However, it also shows
that even a dolphin lover, like the trainer in the BBC story, was willing
to take part in the dolphin hunt since she helped by choosing which dolphins
should be saved from slaughter and trained. In addition, she revealed that
non-Japanese came to buy dolphins for training from the hunters, which
shows that dolphin hunting involves not only people who live in Japan,
but all those who enjoy watching dolphins perform at aquariums.
6.
Outline: (Notice how I have changed the order of the original.)
I: According to the BBC website (22 April 2014), the World Bank has announced
that poverty cannot be eliminated by economic growth alone.
A: In 2013, the World Bank announced a target of 2030 for the elimination
of world poverty.
B: If global shares of income and rates of growth do not change, this target
will not be met
C: To achieve the goal, governments in developing countries should develop
welfare schemes and other ways of giving special help to their poorest
citizens so that they can earn more and make a positive contribution to
their country's development.
Summary
According to the BBC website (22 April 2014), the World Bank has announced
that poverty cannot be eliminated by economic growth alone. In 2013, the
World Bank announced a target of 2030 for the elimination of world poverty.
However, in April 2014 it warned that if global shares of income and rates
of growth do not change, this target will not be met. To achieve the target,
it wants governments in developing countries to develop welfare schemes
and other ways of giving special help to their poorest citizens. If they
can earn more, they will be able to make a positive contribution to their
country's development.
7.
Outline: (I decided that the last line contained the main idea.)
I. The global media need to improve their coverage of events in developing
countries.
A. The global media pay great attention to tragedies that occur in developed
countries, and show the impact on the individuals involved. However, those
that occur in developing countries are reported impersonally and with little
detail.
B. Reporting of events in developed countries is affected by the media's awareness that people are interested in what happens there.
C. Reporting of events in developed cuntries is made easier by the fact
that there is a lot of information, including pictures and video clips
because of the advanced state of the media in these countries.
D. Reporting of events in developing countries is hard because the media
in those countries is less developed, so the stories are less attractive.
E. Since there is little reporting of events in developing countries in the global media, people are unlikely to become interested in what happens there.
Summary: (I added some points that I omitted from the outline since I felt
that they were necessary in order to explain the writer's point clearly.)
The global media need to improve their coverage of events in developing
countries. They pay great attention to tragedies that occur in developed
countries, including the impact on the individuals involved. However, tragedies
that occur in developing countries are reported impersonally and with little
detail. In the case of developed countries, one reason for the extensive
reporting is the media's awareness that people are interested in what happens
there. Moreover, the advanced state of the media makes it easy to obtain
newsworthy information, including vivid pictures and video clips. On the
other hand, coverage of events in developing countries is locked in a vicious
circle. Reporting is difficult because the media are less developed; as
a result, the stories are less attractive. Meanwhile, the lack of reporting
about developing countries means that people are unlikely to become interested
in what is happening in them. In turn, this gives media companies less
reason to make efforts to gather information.
8.
Outline:
I Psychologists and sociologists have different theories about why people
break the law.
A.Psychologists claim that the roots lie in people's pyschology.
1.Some, like Eysenck, suggest that these roots are present from birth.
2. Others, like Bowlby, suggest that they are result of problems in early
childhood.
B. Sociologists think that we should also consider the nature of society.
1. They point to social problems as leading individuals to break the law.
2. They also argue that laws are made by societies and are therefore not
the same everywhere. This means that the tendency to become a criminal
is not decided at birth.
Summary:
Psychologists and sociologists have different theories about why people
break the law. Psychologists claim that the roots lie in people's pyschology.
Some, like Eysenck, suggest that these roots are present from birth, while
others, like Bowlby, suggest that they are result of problems in early
childhood. On the other hand, sociologists think that we should also consider
the nature of society. They point to social problems as leading individuals
to break the law. They also argue that laws are made by societies and are
therefore not the same everywhere. This means that the tendency to become
a criminal is not decided at birth.
9.
Outline: (Notice how I change the order. I decided to omit the examples
because they were not necessary in otder to explain the main idea and supporting
points.)
I. The purpose of education should not be to make people learn as much
knowledge as possible, but to help them to discover the essence that makes
them human.
A. The essence that makes people human is the ability to reason, the ability
to distinguish between right and wrong actions, and the ability to arrive
at general truths by analyzing the world around them.
B. Debates about education should not focus on what should be taught, but on the capabilities that all people possess, and the best way to develop them.
C. If teachers only try to give students new information, they will not
learn how to make use of the knowledge that they already have.
Summary: (I have written this as if it were part of an essay on Sidney J. Harris.)
In one of his newspaper columns, Sidney J. Harris declared that students
were oysters that contained pearls rather than sausage skins. He was really
arguing that the purpose of education should not be to "stuff"
people with as much knowledge as possible, but to help them to discover
the essence that makes them human: the ability to reason, to distinguish
between right and wrong actions, and to arrive at general truths by analyzing
the world around them. Consequently, he explained, debates about education
should not focus on what should be taught, but on the capabilities that
all people possess, and the best way to develop these capabilities. In
addition, he urged that teachers should not just give students new information,
because this would prevent them from learning how to make use of the knowledge
that they already had.
SS Readings 2
Passage about the yen
I. Japan had its highest ever negative balance of trade in the last financial year, but the trade figures for March were better than expected and experts think that the situation should soon show an improvement.
II. This unusual phenomena for the Japanese economy, which is normally strong in exports, had lasted for nine months.
A. One cause was the rise in imports of natural gas and coal as a result
of the shutting down of nuclear power plants after the Fukushima disaster.
B. Another cause was a fall in exports to China, because of the Senkaku
dispute, and also in those to other countries.
III. The government has responded with policies designed to strengthen
the economy.
A. For example, by weakening the yen, it hopes to encourage exports.
B. Experts, including the chief economist at the Norinchukin Research Institute, say that this has already made imports more expensive, but that it will take longer for exports to feel a positive impact.
C. It will be difficult for exports to increase as long as the global economy
is weak.
Summary:
Japan had its highest ever negative balance of trade in the last financial year, but the trade figures for March were better than expected and experts think that the situation should soon show an improvement. This negative balance, which had lasted for nine months, was unusual since the Japanese economy is normally strong in exports. One reason was the rise in imports of natural gas and coal caused by the shutting down of nuclear power plants after the Fukushima disaster. Another reason was a fall not only in exports to China, because of the Senkaku dispute, but also in exports to other countries. The government has responded with policies designed to strengthen the economy. For example, by weakening the yen, it hopes to encourage exports. Experts, including the chief economist at the Norinchukin Research Institute, say that this has already made imports more expensive, but that it will take longer for exports to feel a positive impact. Moreover, it will be difficult for exports to increase as long as the global economy is weak.
Passage about the clothes industry in Bangladesh
Outline:
I. The Western demand for cheap
clothing is the main cause behind the tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza
factory. This suggests that products that seem to be cheap may have a hidden
cost because of the sacrifices that are made in order to keep prices low.
II. All the parties involved in the rapid growth of the clothes industry
in Bangladesh bear some responsibility.
A. Western companies that buy the clothes are accused of
ignoring problems in the industry because they want to keep prices as low as
possible.
B. The Bangladeshi government does not welcome the poor conditions, but it is afraid that Western companies will stop being customers if better working conditions lead to higher prices.
C. Customers increased factory inspections after a fire in another factory
in November 2012, but it is not known whether the inspectors looked for
weaknesses in the factory buildings themselves.
D. Many smaller factories carry out sub-contract work for
the larger ones but are not subject to any inspections because they are not
officially recognized. They employ under-age workers and do not follow proper
safety precautions.
Summary:
Products that seem to be cheap may have a hidden cost because of the sacrifices
that are made in order to keep prices low. For example, the Western demand
for cheap clothing is the main cause behind the tragic collapse of the
Rana Plaza factory in Dhaka. All the parties involved in the rapid growth
of the clothes industry in Bangladesh bear some responsibility for the
loss of life. Western companies that buy the clothes are accused of
ignoring problems in the industry because they want to keep prices as low as
possible. They increased their factory inspections after a fire in another factory
in November 2012, but it is not known whether the inspectors looked for
weaknesses in the factory buildings themselves. On the other hand, the Bangladeshi government does not welcome the poor
conditions, but is afraid that Western companies will stop being customers
if better working conditions lead to higher prices. It is widely known that many smaller factories carry out sub-contracting
work for the larger ones. However, since this is not publicly acknowledged,
they are able to ignore regulations because they are never inspected. They
employ under-age workers and do not follow proper safety precautions.
Passage about Greece
Outline:
I. A serious argument has developed over the 4th-6th century remains of the commercial center of ancient Thessaloniki that have been uncovered during building work for a metro station, although the mayor is confident that it can be resolved.
II. On one side are archaeologists and the city administration who wish
to leave the remains as they are and make an underground museum as part
of the station.
A. Moving the road would destroy its historical meaning.
B. The main source of Greek income, and identity, is its history not industrial
manufacturing.
C. The city administration intends to appeal to the Central Archaeological Council and to ask scientists at the local univer sity to find a way of keeping the remains where they are.
III. On the other side are the engineers responsible for building the station, supported by the Greek Central Archaeological Council, who say that the remains must be moved from the metro site.
A. The metro is already four years late.
B. It is an important public works project funded by the EU and valuable to the weak Greek economy.
C. Both the building workers and the local shopkeepers are frustrated by
the delay.
Summary:
A serious argument has developed over the 4th-6th century remains of the
commercial center of ancient Thessaloniki that have been uncovered during
building work for a metro station, although the mayor is confident that
it can be resolved. On one side of the dispute are the engineers responsible
for building the station, who are supported by the Greek Central Archaeological
Council. They say that the remains must be moved from the metro site.
The metro, which is already four years late, is an important public works
project funded by the EU and valuable to the weak Greek economy. In addition,
both the building workers and the local shopkeepers are frustrated by the
delay. On the other side are the archaeologists and the city administration.
They wish to leave the remains as they are, and build an underground museum
as part of the station. They argue that moving the road would destroy its
historical meaning. Moreover, the main source of Greek income, and identity,
is its history not industrial manufacturing. The city administration intends
to appeal to the Central Archaeological Council and to ask scientists at
the local university to find a way of keeping the remains where they are.
Passage about languages
Outline:
I. People have mistaken ideas about languages.
II.They assume that languages can be learnt in a specific period of time;
however, since languages are always changing and are not spoken in one
fixed way, no language can ever be totally mastered.
III. They assume that it is easy to define the meanings of words, but even
very straightforward-seeming words can be used in a variety of ways.
IV. They assume that all native speakers of a language use it in a similar
way, but although standard forms are generally understood, regional variations
can be mutually incomprehensible.
Summary:
People have mistaken ideas about languages. For example, they assume that
languages can be learnt in a specific period of time. In fact, however,
since languages are always changing and are not spoken in one fixed way,
no language can ever be totally mastered. A second assumption is that it
is easy to define the meanings of words, but even very straightforward-seeming
words can be used in a variety of ways. In addition, they assume that all
native speakers of a language use it in a similar way. However, although
people are generally able to understand each other when using standard
forms, this is often not the case when regional varieties of the same language
are being used.
Passage about sleep
Outline: (Notice how I have "borrowed" a little bit from the
last paragraph for the main idea.)
I. Lack of sleep among schoolchildren, which is found especially in developed
countries, has a negative effect on educational results, but the effect
does not have to be permanent.
II. A comparative analysis of international test results showed that ratios
of schoolchildren with too little sleep tended to be higher in developed
countries, with the U.S. highest at 73% for elementary pupils and 80%
for secondary pupils, against an international average of 47% and 57% respectively.
A: There was a correlation between these ratios and reports from teachers
of a need to lower levels of instruction.
B: Even children who were getting enough sleep were negatively affected
by the trend.
III. The data does not indicate the cause, but experts suggest a link with
digital technology.
A: Children use the devices that they own late at night instead of sleeping.
B: Because the devices emit light, the brain does not realize that it is
time to sleep.
C: Inadequate sleep and irregular sleep patterns make it harder for the
brain to digest new information, but a return to healthy sleep patterns
can solve the problem.
Summary:
Lack of sleep among schoolchildren, which is found especially in developed
countries, has a negative effect on educational results, but this does
not have to be permanent. A comparative analysis of international test results showed that ratios
of schoolchildren with too little sleep tended to be higher in developed
countries, with the U.S. highest at 73% for elementary pupils and 80% for
secondary pupils, against an international average of 47% and 57% respectively.
There was a correlation between these ratios and reports from teachers
of a need to lower levels of instruction. Unfortunately, even children
who were getting enough sleep were negatively affected by the trend. The
data does not indicate the cause, but experts suggest a link with digital
technology. This is because children use the devices that they own late
at night instead of sleeping. Moreover, since the devices emit light as
if it were daytime, the wrong signals are sent to the brain. More damage
occurs because Inadequate sleep and irregular sleep patterns make it harder
for the brain to digest new information. However, a return to healthy sleep
patterns can solve the problem.
Passage about women in Japan
Outline: (See how I have taken part of the main idea from the conclusion.)
I. The Japanese government is trying to encourage women to remain part
of the full-time workforce, but this will require changes in both company
employment practices, and in the behavior of individual men.
II. Surveys report that the status of housewife is becoming more, rather
than less, popular among young married women, and that most women retire
from work after childbirth; the majority of households have two age-earners,
but most wives are part-time workers whose income is not enough to be taxed
individually.
A. Reasons are the disproportionate burden of housework, insufficient childcare
provision, and long working days.
III. The government wants the ratio of female managers to rise by about
one third, to 30%, by 2020.
A. A female manager at a chemicals firm stated that women's position in
the company had improved since she joined in the mid 1980s, and regretted
the situation that made such targets necessary.
Summary:
The Japanese government is trying to encourage women to remain part of the full-time workforce, but this will require changes in both company employment practices, and in the behavior of individual men. Surveys report that the status of housewife is becoming more, rather than less, popular among young married women, and that most women retire from work after childbirth. While the majority of households have two age-earners, most wives are part-time workers whose income is not enough to be taxed individually. Reasons are the disproportionate burden of housework, insufficient childcare provision, and long working days. The government wants the ratio of female managers to rise by about one third, to 30%, by 2020. A female manager at a chemicals firm stated that women's position in the company had improved since she joined in the mid 1980s, and regretted the situation that made such targets necessary.