Which term describes a shortened version of a passage?

The term that describes a shortened version of a passage is 'summary.' A summary condenses the main ideas and key points of the original text, providing an overview that captures the essential information without including all the details. This allows readers to understand the general message or argument without having to read the entire passage.

In contrast, an excerpt refers to a specific portion or section taken from a larger text, but it may not necessarily be a condensed version—it could be a full paragraph or section that gives insight into the original work. An abstract typically summarizes research papers or articles, focusing on the main objectives and results, but it is more specific to academic writing. An outline organizes the main ideas and supporting details in a structured format, but it does not provide a narrative summary; rather, it serves as a guide to the content's organization.

Thus, 'summary' is the term that most accurately captures the essence of a shortened version of a passage.