Summarizing Worksheets & Activities | Reading Comprehension - Free Printable

Here is a clear, concise summary of each passage from Summary Worksheet 3, following the directions to highlight or underline key information and then write a summary.

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Passage 1 Summary:

Key Information (Highlighted/Underlined):
> “The English were not the first Europeans to land their ships on American soil.”
> “The Vikings had discovered North America in the 11th century.”
> “Columbus landed in the Bahamas in 1492 for Spain... French began expeditions... in 1524.”
> “The first English presence in North America is important because the thirteen English colonies... became the country now known as the United States of America.”

Summary:
Although the English were not the first Europeans to reach America — with Vikings arriving in the 11th century, Columbus for Spain in 1492, and the French in 1524 — their early presence was crucial. The eventual establishment of the Thirteen Colonies laid the foundation for what would become the United States of America.

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Passage 2 Summary:

Key Information (Highlighted/Underlined):
> “In April of 1585 Sir Walter Raleigh... sent an expedition of seven ships carrying 600 men... to found an English colony in North America.”
> “The colony was to be used to establish an English presence... and as a base... from which English privateers... could attack and plunder Spanish treasure fleets.”
> “Raleigh’s cousin, Sir Richard Grenville, led the expedition.”

Summary:
In 1585, under Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Walter Raleigh commissioned an expedition led by his cousin, Sir Richard Grenville, to establish England’s first colony in North America. The mission had dual goals: to create a permanent English foothold and to use the colony as a base for attacking Spanish treasure ships.

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Passage 3 Summary:

Key Information (Highlighted/Underlined):
> “In July... the fleet reached a small island off the coast of Virginia that was called Roanoke.”
> “Colonists initiated relations with... the Aquascogoc tribe.”
> “One of their silver cups had gone missing... attributed its disappearance to the Aquascogoc.”
> “Grenville... furious... burned the Aquascogoc village.”
> “The English held their fort against subsequent attacks.”

Summary:
Upon reaching Roanoke Island in Virginia, the English colonists built a fort and tried to engage with the local Aquascogoc tribe. When a silver cup went missing, they blamed the natives, leading to anger from Captain Grenville, who ordered the burning of their village. Despite this hostility, the English successfully defended their fort against native retaliation.

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Passage 4 Summary:

Key Information (Highlighted/Underlined):
> “Despite their success in battle, the colonists had a miserable time because they were mainly soldiers and adventurers, not farmers.”
> “They were hungry... missed comforts of England... expected to find gold and silver... disappointed.”
> “Grenville... set out... to plunder Spanish treasure fleets... return to England.”
> “The colony was gradually abandoned.”

Summary:
Even though the colonists won battles, life at Roanoke was harsh. Made up mostly of soldiers and adventurers, they lacked farming skills, suffered hunger, and longed for English comforts. Disappointed by the lack of gold and silver, Grenville left to raid Spanish ships, and the colony was eventually abandoned.

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✔ Final Note: This worksheet traces the failed Roanoke Colony — England’s first attempt at settlement in North America — highlighting its political motivations, cultural misunderstandings, and logistical failures. These early struggles paved the way for later, more successful colonies like Jamestown.