When you hit parts of the book that you have trouble understanding or that you think require deeper analysis, write questions in the margins. Return to these after you finish the book to see if you can answer them. Questioning the text is a good way to produce original opinions about it. Write these in the margins in pencil or on a separate sheet of paper. When you get the answer, go back and write it under the question. If it's too long, write the page or paragraph number that the answer can be found on. When you encounter a word that you're having trouble with, circle it. Look it up when you can and write the definition next to it. If there is enough space, you can write the definition under the passage. For example, text books often have several line breaks between paragraphs. Take advantage of these. Take note of any key terms as well. Mark these in the passage so that you can see how they are used. Record new vocabulary words. Create a list of words that you circled. Go back and study it before you re-read the chapter. This will make it easier to understand the passage the second time. When you are trying to understand a process or a plot line, write down numbers on the margins. Number each step in the process as you encounter it. Then, when you go back, you can quickly identify how something happened. If, for example, you are reading a book on chemistry, you could number each step necessary to produce a chemical reaction.
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One-sentence summary -- Write down questions that you have. Write definitions. . Number important steps in plot development or argument.

Q: If you are seen, you can claim you were defending yourself. If the authorities believe you, your opponent will you be the one who gets in trouble. If your opponent refuses to strike first, just walk away. Expect to be in serious trouble if you hurt your opponent, even when they started it. Many schools have a zero-tolerance policy on violence, and will suspend or expel both kids involved in a fight. You aren't protected by the same constitutional rights that normally apply when you are at home. Some schools call the police for even the most minor fights or other public displays of anger like punching lockers or throwing things. In some states, the same laws apply on or off school grounds, if there is proof that the fight began at school. You will be in trouble with the school, and the police as well. When weapons are involved, violence escalates immediately and can quickly get of control. Every year, at least 7 percent of American high school students are threatened or injured by another student carrying a weapon. Because of this, laws about guns and other weapons have become increasingly strict over the years. Federal law requires public schools to expel any student who brings a firearm to school for at least one year. More than half the students who are expelled in the US each year were expelled for bringing a weapon to school. Be sure to have some of your friends around to back up your side of the story. Never get drawn into a fight if the only witnesses are your opponent's friends. Avoid places where a teacher is likely to see you. Appoint a lookout to let you know if someone is coming.
A: Always allow your opponent to attack first. Remember that when you are on school property, laws are stricter. Avoid bringing anything to school that even looks like a weapon. Think about witnesses.

Article: Cut your avocado in half, so it exposes the oval shaped seed in the middle. Use a utensil like a knife or a fork to extract the seed out of the avocado. Once the seed is removed, rinse it under warm water to remove all of the avocado fruit from it. Do not remove the brown skin or "seed cover" from the seed. Read Cut-an-Avocado if you're unsure how to cut an avocado. The top of the seed is the pointed end, while the lower part of the seed is rounded. It's important that you're able to identify the top and the bottom of your seed. The roots will grow out of the bottom and your tree will sprout from the top of the seed. Insert three toothpicks on a slight downward angle in the middle of the seed. The toothpicks will enable you to suspend your seed so that the roots can get enough water while the top of the seed stays dry. The toothpicks should be an equal distance apart from one another. Make sure that each toothpick is inserted firmly but not too far. Use the toothpicks to balance the seed on the brim of a cup, ensuring that the bottom half of the seed is under water. The the other half of the seed should be above the water's surface. Place the glass in a warm spot where it can get some sun. Remember to replace the water as it evaporates. Change your water once a week to prevent mold from growing in your glass. Use room temperature water for your avocado tree. In two to six weeks, you should see your avocado tree start to sprout. You'll notice that the seed will crack and roots will begin to grow from the bottom of the seed. If your avocado tree does not sprout in eight weeks, consider starting over with a new seed. Once your plant grows to 6 - 7 inches (15 - 17.7 centimeters), you should move it to a pot with soil. Remove the toothpicks from your seed and place it in a 8 - 10 inch (20.3 - 25.4 centimeter) deep pot filled with humus soil or a multi-purpose potting soil. The seed should be half exposed on top of the soil. Humus is loose and crumbly soil. It includes organic material like leaves, grass clippings, and peat moss. Avocado trees thrive in fast draining organic soil.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Remove and clean an avocado seed. Determine the top and bottom ends of your seed. Insert three toothpicks into the seed. Place your seed on the brim of a cup filled with water. Wait for your avocado tree to sprout. Transfer your plant to a pot with soil.

Article: Many types of cloth products will be advertised to you as a new parent. Restocking items like disposable wipes is an unending process which can cost you hundreds of dollars. Instead, use old towels and a water spray bottle. Don't bother buying a portable changing table. You already have a bath towel. You probably have handfuls of old T-shirts at the bottom of your drawers ready to be scooped up and repurposed. Use one of these instead of buying a new bib. Also, find a pair of scissors to cut up a few shirts into reusable wipes, or even cloth diapers. New parents are a cash cow for marketers. There are warmers for items like bottles and wipes. Instead of buying these, consider all of the warming elements around your house already. Instead of a bottle warmer, for example, start with warm water to mix formula. A wipe warmer will not make your baby happy. It could actually dry out the wipes. Changing a diaper simply isn't a fun process for either of you, so it's best to just use things you already have. Rather than spending up to $100 a month on baby formula, it could be worth the time and effort to breastfeed. Some new moms who decide to go this route are tempted to purchase nursing gear, but be aware that many hospitals and birthing centers rent out breast pumps to nursing mothers. The La Leche League is a non-profit organization that provides free support for nursing mothers. Visit www.llli.org for information about free lactation classes near you, podcasts, FAQs, and more. It could be more convenient to simply hold your baby up in a regular bathtub or a sink than to own an extra baby accessory. Many new parents find baby bathtubs to be cumbersome to the point where they end up in a yard sale a month or two later. Not every room must be limited to a single use. Your baby will not feel slighted if they must share a room with a few storage items or a bookshelf. Spend valuable parenting energy on baby-related tasks other than painting and repainting rooms.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Use old towels and a water spray bottle as an alternative to pre-moistened wipes. Find new uses for old clothes. Avoid specialty warming products. Breastfeed if it is an option. Use the sink instead of a baby bathtub. Partition a section of a room for a nursery.