Practise Summarising Explanation Texts

In this activity, we’re going to become summarising superstars.

Summary questions often involve who, what, when, where, why and how.

These are often called the 5 Ws (and one H).

Can you summarise your favourite game using the 5 Ws?

My favourite game is called noughts and crosses. Two people play against each other to try and get three noughts or crosses in a row using a pen and paper. This game is often played with friends or family when people are on holiday or bored.

Can you see how my summary answers who, what, when, where, why and how?

In this activity, we will be summarising the explanation text below.

We need to read it carefully before answering the questions.

How to care for your hot tub

 A popular addition to many patios, decking and back gardens, hot tubs are becoming increasingly popular. Many of us like to take a calming, warm dip in the water after a tiring day at work.  So how do we look after these relaxing, warm, bubble pools so that they stay clean and last longer? Once you’ve filled and perfectly positioned your hot tub in your chosen location, you should follow these helpful steps to keep your tub spotless and looking crystal clear.

Before each use

If you are planning on using your hot tub, make sure you turn the heater pump on several hours beforehand. When you are ready to get in, use a skimmer net to scoop out any leaves or floating debris. You wouldn’t want green muck sticking to your body whilst trying to unwind. This is a crucial part of hot tub care as stray grass and leaves can make the water turn cloudy and block the filter. Once the water is free from dirt, dip a test strip in the water to check all of the chemicals are at the appropriate level. If one of the chemicals is too low, add a capful of the chemical into the water. If you turn the hot tub bubbles on, the chemical will mix with the water faster.

Weekly care

If you are using your hot tub frequently, it’s recommended to give it a weekly clean with a spa vacuum. A spa vacuum, often called a spa vac, is a special piece of equipment that can suck all the dirt away from the bottom of the hot tub. This fantastic piece of equipment is straightforward to use as it doesn’t need to be plugged into a power source so you can just grab it and go. The filter of the hot tub also needs cleaning on a weekly basis as dirt can block the filter and stop it from cleaning the water as effectively. You can use a filter cleaning spray to do this as well as using a hose to wash any dirt away. Finally, you’ll need to add some more chlorine tablets to your tablet feeder to maintain the chemical levels of the tub.

Every 3-6 months

These tasks might seem strenuous but they will make sure your hot tub lasts for numerous years. Every three to six months, completely drain the water from your hot tub. Old water can’t store as many chemicals as fresh water so if you do not replace the water in your tub, it will become dirty. Once the tub is empty, give it a really good clean inside and out. Dry the inside of the hot tub before refilling it so that it looks wonderfully shiny.

Now all the hard work is out of the way, you can enjoy your hot tub for many years.

Let's get started on those questions now!