GEAR UP FOR LIFE

 Earth's Water - Writing Practice: Summarizing

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Discussion questions: Read the questions and discuss them with your friends or family. If you  want, go to the Web, and find more information for your discussion. There is not just one right answer to the questions.

1. Why is it important for us to know about the water cycle?
2. Where do you think we get our drinking water?
3. Sometimes people get sick when they drink water. You probably remember victims of the Tsunami, in Asia, or of hurricane Katrina and Rita, in the United States. How does drinking water get polluted?
4. Is it possible for rain water to be polluted before it hits the ground?
5. Where can you find the purest freshwater on earth? Do you think that source will continue forever?
6. Millions of people drink purified water from bottles. What happens to the bottles and what effect does that practice have on the Earth?
7. What are some ways to purify water?

As you discuss the questions, write down some thoughts in the box below. When you finish, print, sign, and date the document and place it in your folder for your instructor.

What is a summary? A summary is a shorter expression of a longer piece of language.

Have you ever listened to someone tell a story that goes on and on? You are getting tired of listening. You have something you need to do and don't have time to hear the whole thing. You might say, "Just summarize it for me. Tell me the major points. I have to go."

Click on the Writing Mentor to practice summarizing before you continue.

In the spaces below, write a summary ( a short explanation) of the water cycle. Remember that you don't give details; just talk about the major parts of the cycle. Keep it short and sweet. When you finish, print your work and give it to your instructor. If you know how to copy and paste, you can do that, too. Remember to sign and date your work.