Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence

by Gary Tucker

Multiple Choice

A group of sentences with a single idea is a(n)...

• topic sentence

• paragraph

• essay

• supporting detail

Multiple Choice

What is the order of a typical paragraph?

• 1. Supporting details

  2. Topic sentence

  3. Supporting details

• 1. Topic sentence

  2. Supporting details

  3. Concluding paragraph

• 1. Concluding sentence

  2. Supporting details

  3. Topic sentence

• 1. Topic sentence

  2. Concluding sentence

  3. Supporting details

Multiple Choice

What is a topic sentence?

• A sentence that tells what the paragraph is about

• A sentence that is not relevant to the paragraph

• A sentence that repeats what has already been said

• A sentence that summarizes the paragraph

Multiple Choice

What is an irrelevant sentence?

• A sentence that repeats an idea that has already been said

• A sentence that supports the explains the topic sentence

• A sentence that is not related to the paragraph

• A sentence that summarizes the paragraph and leaves the reader with a strong impression

Multiple Choice

What is the irrelevant sentence in this paragraph:

My friend, Adam, is very generous. He gives his lunch to schoolmates that don't have anything to eat. He enjoys eating chicken. When classmates need paper, he gives them without hesitating. Once, he bought me ice cream when I didn't have enough money. Adam is the kindest person I know.

• He gives his lunch to schoolmates that don't have anything to eat.

• He enjoys eating chicken.

• When classmates need paper, he gives them without hesitating.

• Once, he bought me ice cream when I didn't have enough money.

Multiple Choice

Identify the redundant sentence in this paragraph:

The beach is my favorite place to go. I can swim, which I enjoy doing. The sight and sounds of the waves are relaxing. I like the cool breeze on my skin. I really enjoy swimming. I hope I can go to the beach soon!

• I hope I can go to the beach soon!

• The sight and sounds of the waves are relaxing.

• I like the cool breeze on my skin.

• I really enjoy swimming.

Multiple Choice

Which is a good/reasonable topic sentence for this paragraph:

______________________________________. She normally carries a bottle of Tobasco in her purse. If her food is not hot enough, she will eat hot peppers as a side dish. Whenever she eats Thai food, she orders the highest level of spiciness. People won't dare to touch her food because they won't be able to enjoy it.

• Rio enjoys spicy food.

• Rio likes to help garden with her mom.

• Rio grows hot peppers in her garden.

• Rio likes Thai food.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following sequences makes a good paragraph?

• I-II-IV-III-V

• I-II-III-IV-V

• III-I-II-IV-V

• I-II-III-V-IV

Multiple Choice

Pick the most appropriate topic sentence:

_________________________Mine is eleven years old, and it is always breaking down when I need it. It costs a lot of money for repairs each year. Also, the heater doesn’t work anymore, so it is cold in the winter. I really wish I could change it.

• I wish I could buy a new car.

• My car is very old.

• My car costs a lot of money.

• I hate my car

Multiple Choice

How long should an introduction paragraph be?

• as long as it needs to be

• 3-5 sentences

• no more than 2 sentences

• it depends on how much textual evidence you need to include in it

Multiple Choice

Pick the most appropriate topic sentence:

_____________________. The teachers are all very old and boring. The courses are not good. The buildings are old and dirty and there is no heating in them. Worst of all, it takes me two hours to get there. I wish I had gone to a different school.

• My school is too old.

• I really hate my school

• I don't like the teachers at my school.

Multiple Choice

______________. When I was seventeen years old, I applied to be an American Field Service exchange student. I was very proud and excited when I was chosen, but I never realized how much that year would influence the rest of my life. From the moment I got off the plane in Rio de Janeiro, I felt like a new person. At first I was nervous about speaking Portuguese, but the Brazilians soon helped me to feel at ease. Before I left my home, I had been shy and quiet. In Brazil I became much more confident and outgoing. Most importantly, I had thought I would become an engineer. In Brazil I learned to love music and realized I wanted to become a professional musician.

• Brazil is a great place to spend a year as an exchange student.

• Spending a year as an exchange student changed my whole life.

• Every student should visit another country.

Multiple Select

Choose the 3 supporting sentences for the topic sentence below:

Mobile phones in the classroom can have a negative impact on the student learning.

• Texting during class is like passing notes and is a waste of time.

• Mobile phones can be used to cheat on tests by sending answers to friends or by accessing the Internet.

• There are many legitimate arguments for allowing students to have mobile phones in class, even if they are disruptive.

• Texting during class is like passing notes and is a waste of time.

Multiple Choice

Select the answer that would make the best topic sentence for the information below:

_______________________________________It produces many cars such as Toyotas and Nissans, which it sells all over the world. It also produces electrical goods such as TVs and DVDs. Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is one of the biggest and most modern cities in the world.

• Japan is a very beautiful country.

• Japan, for example, makes computers.

• Japan is a very important country.

• Japan makes cars.

Multiple Choice

What is an introduction paragraph?

• The second paragraph of your essay that introduces the main topic.

• The fifth paragraph of your essay that introduces the main topic.

• The first paragraph of your essay that introduces the main topic.

• The third paragraph of your essay that introduces the main topic.