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Activity 2

 

Activity 2

Read the original text, then select the best paraphrase out of the three options below.

Original text

Studying in a new environment is different and therefore can be stressful. Tertiary students come from a variety of backgrounds and are studying for different purposes. Students may have come straight from secondary school, they may be a ‘mature age’ student who has decided to pursue another career, or they may be an international student and have just arrived in Australia. For many students whatever their background, tertiary learning is different from their previous studies. Students may be worried about the amount of reading required, or whether they will be able to study efficiently enough to get through their exams. They may also worry about the tertiary learning expectations and requirements.

Summary 1

Students from different backgrounds, including secondary, mature age and international, are concerned about the amount of reading required in tertiary study.

This summary represents the student group reasonably well, but reading is the only challenge mentioned. The problems of the original are broader and more specific. The notion of ‘stress ‘ or ‘a new learning environment’ have been omitted in the summary.

Summary 2

Tertiary learning is often a new environment for students particularly internationals as they are unsure of what is expected of them.

This summary is not inaccurate although not the best. It emphasizes international students which does not reflect the original. The original specifies problems (i.e. reading and exams) that are not implicit in the words “Being unsure of what is expected”.

Summary 3

For many students, including those from diverse backgrounds, it is often difficult to adapt to new tertiary learning environments. Managing workloads, understanding expectations and how to study effectively for exams can be extremely stressful.

An accurate and well-balanced summary.

Original text
Studying in a new environment is different and therefore can be stressful. Tertiary students come from a variety of backgrounds and are studying for different purposes. Students may have come straight from secondary school, they may be a ‘mature age’ student who has decided to pursue another career, or they may be an international student and have just arrived in Australia. For many students whatever their background, tertiary learning is different from their previous studies. Students may be worried about the amount of reading required, or whether they will be able to study efficiently enough to get through their exams. They may also worry about the tertiary learning expectations and requirements.

Paraphrase 1:
Students from different backgrounds, including secondary, mature age and international, are concerned about the amount of reading required in tertiary study.

Explanation 1: This summary represents the student group reasonably well, but reading is the only challenge mentioned. The problems of the original are broader and more specific. The notion of ‘stress ‘ or ‘a new learning environment’ have been omitted in the summary.

Paraphrase 2:
Tertiary learning is often a new environment for students particularly internationals as they are unsure of what is expected of them.

Explanation 2: This summary is not inaccurate although not the best. It emphasizes international students which does not reflect the original. The original specifies problems (i.e. reading and exams) that are not implicit in the words “Being unsure of what is expected”.

Paraphrase 3:
For many students, including those from diverse backgrounds, it is often difficult to adapt to new tertiary learning environments. Managing workloads, understanding expectations and how to study effectively for exams can be extremely stressful.

Explanation 3: An accurate and well-balanced summary