Topic Sentences

What does the topic sentence of a paragraph do?

• a. gives information about several different topics

• b. tells the main idea of the paragraph

• c. gives examples of the topic

The topic sentence of a paragraph is usually

• a. the first or second sentence.

• b. in the middle of the paragraph.

• c. the last sentence.

What does the topic of a topic sentence tell the reader?

• a. what the title of the paragraph is

• b. who or what the paragraph is about

• c. the specific information the paragraph will give

What does the controlling idea of a topic sentence tell the reader?

• a. what the title of the paragraph is

• b. what the main subject of the paragraph is

• c. the information the paragraph will give about the topic

Study groups help students succeed in college. What is the topic in this topic sentence?

• a. study groups

• b. college students

• c. success in college

Grants can help pay for a student's education. What is the topic in this topic sentence?

• a. a student

• b. grants

• c. education

Bill and Melinda Gates founded an organization to help people around the world.What is the topic in this topic sentence?

• a. people around the world

• b. an organization

• c. Bill and Melinda Gates

Mahatma Gandhi succeeded by inspiring many people. What is the controlling idea in this topic sentence?

• a. why inspiring many people made Gandhi successful

• b. why people inspired Gandhi to be successful

• c. why different people define success in different ways

The Carter Center works to bring peace to the world. What is the controlling idea in this topic sentence?

• a. how peace organizations are usually effective

• b. how the Carter Center tries to make the world more peaceful

• c. how the Carter Center guides world leaders

Political leaders often inspire people around the world. What is the controlling idea in this topic sentence.

• ways that people everywhere are inspired by political leaders

• ways that inspirational people vote for good leaders

• ways that leaders inspire people to travel