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ISC Class 11 Summary in Grid Form: 100 Words, Marks

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English LanguageISC Class 11 · Comprehension

ISC Class 11 Comprehension: How to Write the 100-Word Summary in Grid Form

Updated 18 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The ISC comprehension summary (8 marks) asks for the main points of named paragraphs as one connected passage of about 100 words, written in complete sentences, one word per box in the grid, with no abbreviations or contractions. Use only points from the given paragraphs and leave out examples and repetition.

Follow the five steps in order, cut examples and repeats, then write one word in each box of the grid, aiming for about 100 words.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Summary Writing in Grid Form (Comprehension, 8 Marks)

What is asked. Question 4 of Paper I is a passage of about 700 words for 20 marks. The summary is the 8-mark part: the chapter page quotes the syllabus, which asks for the main ideas of all or part of the passage in a coherent manner, within a word limit, in the grid form, and with no abbreviations or contractions.

Method in five steps.

  • Read the question for its focus (what the summary is about) and its paragraph range.
  • Read only those paragraphs and underline the sentences that answer the focus.
  • Write each point as a short note: aim for about eight points, since the chapter page records that the 2025 scheme listed eight points for the 8 marks.
  • Join the points with linking words into a connected passage of complete sentences, using your own words where possible.
  • Copy it into the grid, one word per box, and count.

What to cut. Examples, comparisons, quotations, dialogue, repeated statements and descriptive colour.

Counting. The chapter page notes that a hyphenated word or a number counts as one word. Aim for about 95 to 105 words, since the question says about 100.

Typical losses from the examiners' comments on the chapter page. Points from outside the given paragraphs, missing points, ignoring the word limit, and more than one word in a box.

Scope note. This page uses the rules on the chapter page. The practice passages here are short invented ones, not board passages.

Summary Writing in Grid Form (Comprehension, 8 Marks): key facts

Summary steps
  • read the focus
  • mark the range
  • list about eight points
  • join in own words
  • grid and count
Do all of it in rough before writing in the grid.
What to drop
  • examples
  • repetition
  • dialogue
  • description
  • points outside the range
Each costs words and may cost marks.
Grid rules
  • one word per box
  • no abbreviations
  • no contractions
  • about 100 words
Write 'do not', never 'don't'.

How to answer Summary Writing in Grid Form (Comprehension, 8 Marks) questions

Use this for any 'summarise paragraphs x to y in about 100 words' question.

  1. 1Underline the focus words in the question.
  2. 2Note the paragraph range and stay inside it.
  3. 3Pick the sentences that answer the focus and shorten each.
  4. 4Connect them with linking words in complete sentences.
  5. 5Expand any contraction and any abbreviation.
  6. 6Write in the grid, one word per box, and count.

Summary Writing in Grid Form (Comprehension, 8 Marks) in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Passing on a message in a few words

Suppose you must tell a friend who missed a two-hour meeting only what was decided about the school fair: the date, the place, the roles and the budget, and not the jokes or the arguments.

Which parts of the meeting would you leave out and why?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Keep the decisions that answer your friend's need.
  2. Drop the jokes, the repeated opinions and long examples.
  3. Say it in connected sentences.

Answer: You keep only the date, place, roles and budget. In the same way a summary keeps the points that answer the question's focus and drops detail.

Memory hook: Decisions in, detail out.

Tricks to remember Summary Writing in Grid Form (Comprehension, 8 Marks)

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • F-R-P-J-G

    Focus, Range, Points, Join, Grid.

    Use it when: The order of work.

  • No apostrophes in the grid

    If you see an apostrophe, open it into two words.

    Use it when: Avoids contractions.

Summary Writing in Grid Form (Comprehension, 8 Marks): solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Spot the contraction · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Which line is acceptable in a grid-form summary?
(a) The writer says it's unfair. (b) The writer says it is unfair. (c) The writer says it is unfair e.g. in rural areas. (d) The writer says: unfair.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (a) is a contraction; (c) has an abbreviation; (d) is not a complete sentence.
  2. (b) is a complete sentence with no contraction.

Answer: (b)

Example 2: Count the boxes · 1 mark · Very short answerBoard level

How many boxes (one word each) does this sentence need? 'Well-trained guides led twenty-five visitors up the hill.'

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Well-trained is one word (hyphenated).
  2. Guides, led, twenty-five (one), visitors, up, the, hill.

Answer: Eight boxes.

Example 3: Choosing points · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Invented passage, paragraph 3: 'The canal was cleaned in March. Volunteers, mostly students, removed silt and plastic; one boy found an old bicycle, which caused much laughter. By May the water ran freely and fish returned.' Question: summarise what was done to the canal and the result in two sentences.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Keep: cleaned in March; volunteers removed silt and plastic; result by May.
  2. Drop: the bicycle and the laughter.
  3. Join in own words.

Answer: In March volunteers, mostly students, cleared the silt and plastic from the canal. By May the water flowed freely and fish had come back.

Example 4: Cutting a draft · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

A draft summary has 140 words for a 100-word limit. It contains two examples, one repeated point and one point from a paragraph outside the range. Explain the order in which you would cut and why.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Remove the point outside the range first, as it earns no marks.
  2. Remove the repetition.
  3. Remove both examples.
  4. Recount; shorten phrases to single words.

Answer: Cut the outside point, then the repetition, then the examples, in that order, because the first earns nothing and wastes space, and the others carry no credit. Then tighten wording to reach about 100 words.

Example 5: Rewrite from notes · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Notes: library shut for years; students raised funds; shelves repaired; reopened; children visit. Write them as a connected passage of about 35 words in complete sentences with no contractions.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Link with time words (after, then, finally).
  2. Use full forms and one clause per idea.
  3. Count words.

Answer: Model: The library had remained closed for several years. Students therefore raised funds, and then they repaired the shelves with the money raised. Finally, the library reopened, and after that children began to visit it regularly. (about 35 words)

Where students lose marks in Summary Writing in Grid Form (Comprehension, 8 Marks)

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Using points from outside the paragraphs

    The question names the range.

    Wrong working

    A point from paragraph 2 when asked for 5 to 8.

    Right working

    Only points found in paragraphs 5 to 8.

    Do this: Write the range at the top of your rough work.

    Usually costs: 1 to 2 marks

  • Mistake: Contractions and abbreviations

    The syllabus says they are not accepted.

    Wrong working

    don't, e.g.

    Right working

    do not, for example

    Do this: Scan for apostrophes before copying.

    Usually costs: Marks for expression

  • Mistake: More than one word per box

    The examiners asked teachers to train students to place one word per box.

    Wrong working

    Two words in a box to save space.

    Right working

    One word in each box.

    Do this: Practise in a printed grid.

    Usually costs: Word count accuracy and marks

Exam tips

  • Write the paragraph range and focus above your rough work.
  • Aim for about eight points.
  • Link points with words such as then, therefore and finally.
  • Check every apostrophe and abbreviation.
  • Count the words in the grid, not in your rough.

Practice questions on Summary Writing in Grid Form (Comprehension, 8 Marks)

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    A summary question asks for paragraphs 5 to 8. Which of these may be used? (a) A point from paragraph 3 (b) A point from paragraph 6 (c) A point from paragraph 9 (d) A point from the title

    Hint

    Check the range.

    Answer

    (b)

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Short answerBoard level

    Rewrite without contractions or abbreviations: 'The writer doesn't agree that kids can't cope, i.e. they need help.'

    Hint

    Open each contraction and spell out i.e.

    Answer

    The writer does not agree that children cannot cope, that is, they need help.

  3. Q3 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    From this invented paragraph, list the points for a summary on 'why the village needed a well': 'The village drew water from a river two miles away. Women walked there at dawn, which left little time for fields. In summer the river dried and families fell ill from muddy water. A traveller once praised the hills, which were green.' State the points to keep and drop.

    Hint

    Which sentence does not answer the focus?

    Answer

    Keep: water came from a river two miles away; fetching it took time from fields; summer drying and dirty water caused illness. Drop: the traveller's praise of the hills.

  4. Q4 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

    Explain three reasons why a summary that is exactly 100 words may still lose marks.

    Hint

    Think of range, points and language.

    Answer

    It may contain points from outside the given paragraphs, it may miss key points while including detail, and it may have language errors, contractions or more than one word in a box. Length alone does not earn marks.

  5. Q5 · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Write a 25-word summary of this invented paragraph in your own words: 'The school began a recycling drive. Every class kept two bins, one for paper and one for plastic. The bins were emptied every Friday by the eco club. Within a term, the waste sent to the dump fell by half.'

    Hint

    Cause, method, result.

    Answer

    Model: The school started recycling with separate paper and plastic bins in every class, emptied weekly. Within a term, the waste sent to the dump halved. (25 words)

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.How many marks does the summary carry?Show answer

    8 marks.

  2. 2.How long should it be?Show answer

    About 100 words.

  3. 3.How many words go in each grid box?Show answer

    One.

  4. 4.Are contractions accepted?Show answer

    No.

  5. 5.Which question of Paper I is comprehension?Show answer

    Question 4.

Summary Writing in Grid Form (Comprehension, 8 Marks): frequently asked questions

Do I copy sentences from the passage?

Use your own words where possible; do not copy long stretches.

Does a hyphenated word count as one?

Yes, as noted on the chapter page.

Is Class 11 set by CISCE?

No, schools set it on this pattern.