Why the “Thаt Test” Imprоves Acаdemic Summаries Writing effective summaries is an impоrtant academic skill, yet many students struggle with it. When students summarize an article оr essay, they often include too many small details or accidentally insert their own opinions. As a result, their summaries may fail to accurately represent the author’s central argument. Because academic writing requires clear attribution of ideas, this problem can make summaries confusing or misleading. One strategy that can help students avoid these problems is called the “That Test.” The “That Test” encourages writers to organize their summary sentences using a specific structure: Author + reporting verb + that + main idea. By forcing writers to include the word “that” followed by the author’s central claim, the test helps ensure that the sentence focuses on the author’s main argument rather than on personal commentary or minor details. For example, a student summarizing an article might write: “Garcia argues that technology has changed the way students interact in classrooms.” In this sentence, the structure clearly identifies both the author and the claim being made. Because the sentence emphasizes the author’s argument, readers can quickly understand the main idea of the original text. The “That Test” also helps students separate their own opinions from the author’s ideas. Inexperienced writers often write sentences such as “The author talks about technology, and I agree with her ideas.” Although this statement includes the author, it shifts attention away from the author’s argument and toward the writer’s opinion. Academic summaries should focus primarily on representing the author’s ideas accurately rather than evaluating them. Another advantage of the “That Test” is that it encourages the use of reporting verbs, such as argues, claims, explains, suggests, demonstrates, or emphasizes. These verbs help readers understand how the author presents their ideas. For instance, the verb argues suggests that the author is presenting a strong position, while suggests indicates a more cautious claim. Finally, the “That Test” helps writers identify the most important idea in a reading. Academic texts often include examples, statistics, and supporting evidence, but these details support the author’s thesis rather than replace it. By using the formula required by the “That Test,” students must decide which idea represents the author’s central claim. This process encourages deeper reading and stronger analytical thinking. Although the “That Test” is simple, it can significantly improve the clarity of academic summaries. By using the structure Author + verb + that + main idea, students can more effectively represent an author’s argument and avoid some of the most common summary-writing mistakes. The author includes the example sentence about Garcia mainly toA. show a real research studyB. demonstrate how the “That Test” structure worksC. criticize the use of technology in classroomsD. explain why reporting verbs are confusing
Pleаse reаd the fоllоwing reаding selectiоn and answer the questions that follow: In a report on the status of families, the Census Bureau on Tuesday said 13.6% of Americans ages 25 to 34 were living with their parents in 2012, up slightly from 13.4% in 2011. Though the trend began before the recession, it accelerated sharply during the downturn. In the early 2000s, about 10% of people in this age group lived at home. Vivien Tsuong, 28, has a job as a marketing specialist, but is living at home in San Gabriel, Calif., to save money. In 2010, after returning from Japan, where she taught English for two years, Ms. Tsuong struggled for a year to find work. After landing a position in 2012, she moved into her current job at a company that sells computer and Internet products this spring. Now that she is stable professionally, she wants to build savings, just in case she encounters more job turbulence, she said. Ms. Tsuong said many of her friends are spending $700 or $800 a month on rent. "I can move out if I really wanted to, but given the situation with rent and gas, I feel like I can save more living at home," she said. "If you can save now, you're sort of investing in your future." Demographers say joblessness during the recession and in its aftermath has fueled the trend of young adults living at home. The percentage of 25-to-34-year-olds living with parents climbed from 10.6% early in the 2000s to 11.8% in 2007, when the recession officially began. But after that the figure jumped sharply. Richard Fry, an economist at Pew Research Center, said the rising share of young adults at home reflects changing attitudes about the phenomenon as well as economic pressures. Recent surveys by Pew found over 60% of people ages 18 to 34 knew someone who had moved back in with their parents because of the economy, he said, and that four of five people ages 25 to 34 who were living with their parents were satisfied with the arrangement. That may suggest there is less stigma attached to living at home, said Mr. Fry. "Living with your parents may not be what it once was," he said. Other trends also are playing a role: Young adults are marrying later, putting off having children and finding it harder to establish stable careers. The latest findings have important implications for the nation's housing market and broader recovery, since they suggest fewer young Americans are buying houses, furniture and appliances—purchases that fuel much of the country's economic growth. While Americans are spending much more than they did during the throes of the recession, overall consumption growth has remained much weaker than in past recoveries. What is the main idea of the above reading selection? A) Young adults living with their parents at higher rates that are due to economic challenges and their changing social attitudes. B) Most young adults prefer living with their parents over moving out to save money. C) The economy has fully recovered, but young adults still choose to stay home in order to save money. D) Rent prices are the only reason young adults remain at home. E) Young adults are living with their parents at higher rates due to economic challenges and changing social attitudes. F) A and E G) A and B H) A and C