How would you best summarize a paragraph that explains the life cycle of a butterfly?

• A. Briefly state the main stages (egg, larva/caterpillar, chrysalis, and butterfly) and the overall idea of a life cycle.
• B. Explain how butterflies migrate across long distances.
• C. Describe the colors of butterfly wings.
• D. List every fact about butterfly species.

Answer: (A)

When you summarize a paragraph about a butterfly’s life cycle, you should capture the sequence of stages and the big idea that the butterfly undergoes metamorphosis. The best choice does exactly that: it briefly names the main stages—egg, larva (caterpillar), chrysalis, and butterfly—and signals the overall idea that this is a life cycle. This gives you a concise, clear picture of the process without getting bogged down in details.

Other options pull in ideas that aren’t about the life cycle itself. Migrating long distances is about movement, not how a butterfly changes and grows. Describing wing colors is about appearance, not the stages or the concept of metamorphosis. Listing every fact about butterfly species is too detailed for a summary, which should hit the main points rather than all the specifics.