When you make notes, you need to jot down your ideas quickly and clearly. This
activity will help you to decide which details and which words are important in
notes, and which are unnecessary.

1 Compare the full sentence on the left with the notes on the right. Write a sentence
or two describing the kinds of details that have been missed out in the notes.

The Antikythera Mechanism was found
in 1901, in the wreck of a Roman cargo
ship, 45 metres beneath the sea.

Mechanism found 1901 in
wreck of Roman ship

2 Copy out the sentence below.

It is thought that the Antikythera Mechanism was an astronomical clock with
seven hands, which showed the movements of the Sun, Moon and planets.

a) Cross out the details in this sentence that are less important than others.
b) Now cross out as many words as you can, without losing any important details.