Note Making and Summary

Advantages of Note Making

A note making is a skill which improves by practicing. There are some advantages of note
making. Let us get to know some of them.
 It has great importance in exams or in academic writing
 It is an organization of main points for future use
 Note making helps in keeping the information handy whenever we require
 It helps in recollecting and recalling the past events said or heard
 It helps in concentrating, understanding and provides a permanent record
 Note making format helps a writer to go through bulky documents quicker
 It helps in understanding a material if the notes are in own words
 It distinguishes between main points and details
The Procedure of Note Making
 Read the passage provided.
 Underline the important sentences. It helps to make headings and subheadings.
 Make a rough note first so as to get an idea.
 Organize them in logical order or sequence for the final note.
 Use the appropriate note making format.
 Do not change the idea or the message of the passage.
Format

NOTE MAKING

1. Must write the title. It should state what the majority of the passage talks about.

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2. Minimum 4 abbreviations to be used in note making and make key to abbreviations after
writing the notes and not after the summary. (maximum abbreviations :7)
3. Helping verbs ,articles ,pronouns and determiners could be omitted
4. Write minimum 3 main heading and 3 sub headings (do not write too many subheadings)
5. Write phrases not complete sentences
6. Do not forget to use indentation
7. Do not use numbers as abbreviations :

(a)Abbreviation helps in writing the information briefly. The following are some of the ways
in which you can use abbreviations.

1) Capitalized initial information:-

E.g. U.N. for United Nation
M.L.A., B.Sc, M.P., U.S.A.

2) Taking the first two letters of the words :-

Sc. Science
Pract Practical
Edu Education

3) Taking the first and the last two letters of the word:-
rdng Reading
admn Administration
pds Periods
rg Regarding

4) Symbols that are universally recognized:-

E.g : Therefore
E.g : For example

5) Arithmetic symbol--
% percentage
+ ive positive
<> greater than or less than

8. Notes making should not be lengthy. It should not cover more than 2 sides of a page.

SUMMARY
1. Do not exceed word limit given in the exam
2. Summary is made out of notes not the passage
3. Do not divide the summary in different paragraphs.
4. It should be attempted just after the note making
5. Do not start like this : ‘The passage talks about’
6. Do not use any abbreviations in summary
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7. Write complete, grammatically correct sentences.
8. Try to follow the order of the notes as far as possible

Points to Remember for Note Making Format

 Avoid using long sentences as heading or title
 Never lose the main idea of the passage
 Ignore information which is less important
 Be brief, clear, and specific
 Use logical sequencing
 Use proper indention
 Leave no spaces to avoid confusion
 Do not include your own version or understandings
 Use abbreviations
 Make your note more memorable by adding colors, drawings, and symbols

Sample 1

Read the passage carefully and answer the questions given below.

Almost all of us have suffered from a headache at some time or the other. For some a
headache is a constant companion and life is a painful hell of wasted time.

The most important step to cope with headaches is to identify the type of headache one
is suffering from. In tension headaches (two hand headache), a feeling of a tight band
around the head exits along with the pain in the neck and shoulders. It usually follows
activities such as long stretches driving, typing or sitting on the desks. They are usually
short lived but can also last for days or weeks.

A headache is usually caused due to the spinal misalignment of the head, due to
the posture. Sleeping on the stomach with the head turn to one side and bending over
positions for a long time make it worse.

In migraine headaches, the pains usually on one side of the head may be accompanied
by nausea, vomiting irritability and bright spots of flashes of light. This headache is
meant worse by activities especially bending. The throbbing pain in the head worsens by
noise and light. Certain triggers for migraines may be chocolate, caffeine, smoking or
MSU in certain food items. The pain may last eight to twenty four hours and there may be
a hangover for two or three days. Migraines are often produced by an ‘aura’------changes
in sight and sensation. There is usually a family migraine.

In a headache, pain originates from the brain but from the irritated nerves of muscles,
blood vessels and bones. These head pain signals to the brain which judges the degree of
distress and relays it at appropriate sites. The pain sometimes may be referred to sights
other than the problem areas. This is known as referred by pain and occurs due to
sensation overload. Thus, though, most headache states at the base of the skull referred
pain as felt typically behind the eyes.

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Factors causing headache are understood but it is known that a shift in the level
of body hormones chemicals, certain foods and drinks and environmental stress can
trigger them.

If the headache troubles you often, visit the doctor, who will take a full health
history relating to diet, life stresses, the type of headache, trigging factors and relief
measures. You may be asked to keep a ‘headache diary’ which tells you to list – the time
headache started and when it ended, emotional environmental and food and drinking
factors which may contribute to it. The type and severity of pain and
the medications used which provide much relief are also to be listed.
This helps the doctor in determining the exact cause and type of headache and the remedy
thereof.

Questions
(a) On the basis of your reading the passage make notes on it using
recognizable abbreviations wherever necessary. Use a format u consider
suitable. Supply a suitable title.
(b) Write a summary in about 80 words.
a) Notes on the contents of the passage;

Title: Headache and their Treatments

A. Identification:-
(i) tension headache, or
(ii) migraine headache

B. Symptoms:-
(i) Tension headaches
(a) feeling tight band around head
(b) pain in neck and shoulders
(ii) Migraine headaches
(a) pain on one side of the head
(b) vomiting and irritability
(c) bright sport of flashes of light
C. Causes:-
(i) Tension headaches
(a) long stretches of driving
(b) long hours of typing or sitting on the desk
(ii) Migraine headache.
(a) Chocolate, coffee, smoking. Abbreviations used
(b) MSU is certain food items 1. hsptl – hospital.
D. Treatment :- 2. blding – building
(i) Self –care tech for shorter period. 3. don. – donations
(ii) Doctor advice for permanent 4. ayur. – ayurvedic
treatments. 5. Tech - Technology

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b) Summary of the passage:-
Life becomes a painful hell if headache becomes once constants companion. In order to
find an effective cure for it, is very important to identify the type of headache one suffering
from. It can be tension headache or a migraine, and the treatment as to be found as
accordingly. Complete ‘headache diary’ if maintained may help the doctor find the perfect
remedy to triggering factors responsible for it. Self medication should be done for only a
short-term relief and with the greatest caution. Doctor’s advice is a must if it persists for a
longer time.

Sample 2

The mynah perhaps needs to make some apology for his yellow stockings, since such
mustard-coloured understandings are not usual among small birds, pertaining rather to the
rapacious tribe, and being thus a badge of anything but respectability. But the mynah
atones for his yellow legs, feet, and face, by the exceedingly decorous plumage which covers
the rest of him; no objection can be to his black hood, or the sober chocolate of his body
colour, or to the plain black, diversified with white, of his quills and tail.

Nevertheless as a starling our present subject is a rather big and showy bird, being certainly
equal in looks to any of his relatives in Calcutta, none of which bear the shot silk sheen of
green and purple which adorns the home starling, also a visitor to India, for this starling or
Mynahs are in great force in the East, which is their true home, and the common Mynah is a
good type of the clan.

Bold, vigorous and pushing, he secures to himself a large share of all the good things in the
way of insects and fruit that may be going, and is a bird of remarkably all round abilities,
though not particularly graceful in his movements. On the ground he runs and walks well,
hopping when he wants to put an extra spurt, albeit there is a swing in his gait which is not
particularly elegant. No doubt, however, he is proud of this, as it is a family character;
geese, which do not suffer from excessive modesty, have a similar style of going, are known
to bare doubtable pedestrians in their quiet way.

Mynah, unlike other ground birds, is nimble and active in a tree as well; and his flight,
though not remarkably fast, is tolerant enough for ease, and he feels sufficient confidence in
it to occasionally attempt a little insect-catching on the wing, when his quarry has got away
from him on foot. When he flies, he tucks up his long yellow shanks to his breast, showing
conclusively that birds which stow their legs this way when on the wing do so by custom,
not for convenience, for from their size one would think that he would do better to stow
them astern like the paddy bird and other waders.

Q. On the basis of your reading of the above passage, make note on it using headings and
sub-headings. Use recognizable abbreviations (wherever necessary-minimum 4) and a
format you consider suitable. Also supply an appropriate title to it.

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 Mynah

1. Description of mynah:
1.1. sober choc. body colour
1.2 yellow legs, feet & face
1.3 black hood
1.4.black & white quills & tail
1.5 bold and vgrs.
2. Feeds on:
2.1 insects
2.2 fruit
3. Movements:
3.1 not graceful
3.1 runs & walks well on ground.
3.3.hops to put extra spurt
3.4 swing in gait
4. Flight of mynah:
Key to Abbreviations
4.1 remrkbly fast
1. choc chocolate
4.2 confident
2. vgrs vigorous
4.3 tucks yellow shanks to breast
3. & and
4.3.1. a custom
4. remrkbly remarkably
4.3.2 not for convenience

Q. Write a summary of the above passage in about 80 words.

Summary

The mynah is a bold and vigorous bird. The body colour of quills mynah is sober chocolate
with yellow legs, feet and face. He has a black hood and black, diversified with white, quails
and tails. A mynah feeds on insects and fruits. His movements are not graceful. He can run
and walk well on ground. He has a swing in his gait and sometimes hops to put an extra
spurt. The flight of a mynah is not remarkably faster though he seems full of confidence. He
tucks his yellow shanks to breast when flying. It is done by custom and not for convenience.

Practice questions

A) The average life span differs very widely for different organisms. While some live for short
periods, others may have a life of several decades or even centuries. None, however, lives
forever. Even if an individual meets with no fatal accident, is not eaten up by a predator, or
does not suffer a killing disease, death still comes as the natural final result of old age.

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B) Aging is defined as the process of progressive deterioration in the structure and function of
the cells, tissues and organs of the organism as it grows older. The area of developmental
biology which is concerned with the study of the processes of aging is known as
gerontology.
C) Why should an animal age at all? Why do some animals age more rapidly and have a shorter
life span than others? Why do different cell types and tissues within the same individual age
at different rates? We still do not know enough about the process and causes of aging,
although many theories have been proposed to explain this phenomenon.
D) Some biologists suggest that adverse changes in the environment are the causes of aging in
the organisms. Others believe that aging is an intrinsic genetic property of the cells of an
organism. According to a compromise theory, aging is due to an interaction between
hereditary factors (genes) and the environment. We know, for example, that domestication
of animals increases their life span. Another theory proposes that the cells and organisms
with a high rate of metabolism age more rapidly and die sooner than those with a relatively
lower rate of metabolic activity.
E) A more recently proposed immunity theory of aging suggests that the decline and
disappearance of the thymus gland by late middle age in man is the primary cause of aging.
With the disappearance of this gland, the defences of the body against foreign invasion
weakens, and, at the same time, the number of defective, abnormal and harmful cells
produced in the body itself goes up. This results in increasing damage and destruction of
the tissues.
F) While each theory of aging is supported by some evidence, none of them comprehensively
explains this phenomenon. A theory which explains aging in all kinds of organisms can be
formulated only when more facts are known about aging processes in a variety of species
living under different conditions.
(Adapted from Biology, a textbook for Higher Secondary Schools, Classes XI-XII, NCERT.)

Q. 1. The following questions will help you to understand both the content and the
organization of the passage better.
1) What title would you give this passage?
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
2) What are the various causes of death mentioned in the passage?
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
........................................................................................................................................
3) Which theory, according to the author, explains aging comprehensively’? [Choose the
correct answer by putting a tick ( )]:
a) The ‘compromise’ theory according to which hereditary factors and environment play an
important role in aging; ( )

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b) The immunity theory which suggests that the defense mechanism of a human being declines
with the disappearance of the thymus gland in middle age; ( )
c) The rate of metabolism theory, which propose that organisms with a higher rate of metabolic
activity die earlier than those with a lower rate of metabolic activity; ( )
d) None of these. ( )
1) What could be the ‘foreign invaders’ referred to in paragraph E?

......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................
..........................................................................................
2) Complete the following notes.

Notes 2
Theories of Aging
1) Aging a process of .........................................................................................................
2) Different theories:
i) ................................................................................................................................
ii) Intrinsic genetic property of the cells.
iii) a) Compromise theory — interacn …….......................................................................
b) Higher rate of metabolism—hastens process of aging.
c) Immunity theory—decline and disappearance of……………….........................
3) ………………………. theory of aging

Q. 2. Read the following passage and answer following questions.

Although we cannot see it, taste it, or smell it, the air that surrounds the earth is vital for
life. It provides the gases needed for human, animal and plant life. Of these gases, oxygen
makes up about 21 percent and nitrogen about 78 per cent of the volume of dry air. Other
gases, such as argon, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, neon, krypton and xenon, comprise the
remaining one per cent. The amount of water vapour and its variation in amount and
distribution is of great importance in weather changes. The atmosphere has no definite
upper limits, but gradually thins until it becomes imperceptible. However, the atmosphere
has three well-defined layers. The layer of air next to the earth, which extends upwards for
about ten miles, is known as the troposphere. Most of the air and water vapour are in the
troposphere. It is the warmest part of the atmosphere because most of the solar radiation is
absorbed by the earth’s surface, which warms the air immediately surrounding it. The
temperature decreases by about 11.20C for every mile as one travels upwards through the
troposphere. Most of the features that govern our weather, including most clouds and wind
systems, occur in the troposphere. Strong winds moving at more than 160 kms an hour are
located at the upper levels of the troposphere. These are known as JET STREAMS and are
important to pilots of jet aircrafts who fly in this zone.

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 Above the troposphere to a height of about 50 miles is a zone called stratosphere. The
stratosphere is separated from the troposphere by a zone of uniform temperature called the
tropopause. Within the lower portions of the stratosphere is a layer of ozone gases which
filters out most of the ultraviolet rays from the sun. If this zone was not there, the full blast
of the sun’s ultraviolet light would burn our skins, blind our eyes, and eventually result in
our destruction. Within the stratosphere, the temperature and atmospheric composition are
relatively uniform.
The ionosphere extends to a height of 300 miles above the earth. The air, here, is extremely
rarefied. It is called the ionosphere because it consists of electrically charged particles called
ions, thrown from the sun. The northern lights (aurora borealis) originate within this highly
charged portion of the atmosphere. Its effect upon weather conditions, if any, is as yet
unknown. (Adapted from Caxon Atlas of the Earth)
a) On the basis of your reading, make suitable notes.
b) Write summary based on your notes.