Form Three English

Summary Writing

Summary Writing Practice #2

One of the main problems affecting Caribbean family life is teenage pregnancy. There are a number of factors
that contribute to this problem. Human beings are genetically programmed to mate and reproduce once they
have passed through puberty, and sexual urges can be quite strong for adolescents.
Although the dominant norms and values in our societies advocate procreation within marriage, adolescence is a
time when the young begin to question the norms and values they have learned and to be influenced by their
social environment. They seek to establish and assert their identities as individuals. During this period, they are
prone to emotional ups and downs. Danger and rebelliousness can become attractive and exciting. The mass
media feed on adolescent vulnerability by encouraging a culture of songs, dance and movies that are sexually
explicit and may entice teenagers to explore newly felt physical urges. Many teenagers who do engage in sex do
so without any form of contraception. Sadly, a large number of girls in the Caribbean are also victims of various
forms of sexual abuse like incest and rape. The result of all these elements can be unwanted pregnancy.
Teenage pregnancy poses many risks, and presents a number of potential social ills because teenagers often lack
the physical, emotional and financial preparedness for parenting. Unwanted pregnancy may cause teenage girls
to experience severe emotional stress because they fear disapproval and rejection by their parents, peers and
wider society. Often, a girl faces alienation from her parents, who are themselves burdened by responsibilities.
The young mother may also have to face the possibility of being expelled from school, or dropping out due to
the burden of raising a child.
Pregnant girls often end up bearing the greater brunt of the consequences of teenage pregnancy than boys do.
Traditionally, adolescent pregnancies have been seen as the responsibility of the female and her parents. More
than 60 per cent of young mothers do not have the support of a male partner when they give birth. In most
societies, there is less of a stigma attached to the young father. Attitudes to gender roles differ and the male is
not allotted the same punishment. For instance, he would be allowed to continue his schooling.
Nonetheless, the teenage father does suffer emotional consequences. Research carried out by the University of
Bristol in the UK found that young males between the ages of 17 and 23 who became fathers for the first time
suffered from feelings of rejection. They felt they were excluded from involvement in the female’s pregnancy.
Only in circumstances where the relationship between the couple was supported by community ties did the
couple’s involvement survive beyond the pregnancy.

Section A: Carefully read the passage above on the effects of teenage pregnancy on the Caribbean family
life. Identify TEN (10) main points. (10 pts.)
Record your main points below:
Section B: Using the main points that have been identified, summarize the effects of teenage pregnancy
on the Caribbean family life in not more than 120 words. Record your summary below (25 pts.)

Your summary must be:

1. in continuous prose (
2. in paragraph form and
3. it must not be more than 120 words in length. Only the first 120 words of your answer will be read and

In your answer you will be assessed on how well you:

(a) were you able to identify the main ideas and opinions in the passage
(b) organized and expressed these ideas appropriately for your audience and purpose
(c) controlled your grammar, sentence structure and vocabulary

(1) Content - 5 marks

(2) Organization of Content- 10 marks
(3) Language Usage/Mechanics - 10 marks