Identifying Topic Sentences

Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph:
Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. First, fruits and vegetables are packed with the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body functioning smoothly. In addition, they give you the carbohydrates you need for energy. Fruits and vegetables have lots of fiber to help your digestive system work properly. Finally, many scientists believe that the nutrients in fruits and vegetables can help fight diseases. If you eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you'll be on the road to better health.

• Many scientists believe that the nutrients in fruits and vegetables can help fight diseases

• Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet.

• If you eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you'll be on the road to better health.

Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph:
The popular game of chess has a long and interesting history. No one knows for sure when chess was invented, but people were playing chess in China and India about 1,400 years ago. From Asia, chess spread to North Africa and then to Europe. The modem form of chess, which we play today, developed in the 1500s in Europe. Today people around the world still play chess with each other or even on their computers. With its long history, chess will probably remain a popular game in the future.

• The popular game of chess has a long and interesting history.

• Chess will probably remain a popular game in the future.

• No one knows for sure when chess was invented, but people were playing chess in China and India about 1,400 years ago

Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph:
The students in my class come from many different parts of the world. Some students are from European countries such as Germany and Italy, and others are from Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and Israel. Several students were born in Latin American countries, including Peru and Brazil. Most students are from Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Japan. My classmates are an interesting mix or people from many different countries, and we all get along very well.

• Some students are from European countries such as Germany and Italy

• My classmates are an interesting mix or people from many different countries, and we all get along very well.

• The students in my class come from many different parts of the world.

Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph:
There are many reasons why people move. Some move to find better jobs or to advance their careers. Others are attracted to places with better weather. Still others want to move to a place with less crime. Finally, people often want to move to a place with a lower cost of living. For these reasons, every year millions of people move to new places.

• People often want to move to a place with a lower cost of living

• There are many reasons why people move

• Every year millions of people move to new places

Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph:
More men are now doing jobs that traditionally belonged to women. For example, there are now twice as many male nurses as there were ten years ago. The number of stay-at-home fathers in the United States has increased from 98 000 in 2003 to more than 160 000 today. Similarly, there are many more male secretaries, elementary school teachers, librarians, and bank tellers than ever before. It is clear that ideas about traditionally female occupations have changed.

• More men are now doing jobs that traditionally belonged to women.

• It is clear that ideas about traditionally female occupations have changed.

• There are many more male secretaries, elementary school teachers, librarians, and bank tellers than ever before

Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph:
There are many reasons I hate my apartment. First of all, the windows are small and the apartment is never sunny. I also have noisy neighbors who keep me up all night. The air conditioner doesn't work properly, so it's too hot in the summer. Finally, there are so many bugs in my apartment that I could start an insect collection. I really want to move!

 

• There are many reasons I hate my apartment.

• There are so many bugs in my apartment that I could start an insect collection.

• I really want to move!

Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph:

Today cell phones can do a lot more than just make and receive calls. Phones come with cameras that take color pictures. Some cell phones even have video cameras to record live-action events. You can also use a cell phone to check your e-mail on the Intemet or set reminders for important events with a special alarm clock Many cell phones have calculators for solving simple math problems and fun games to play it you're bored. With all of these new features, it is hard to imagine what cell phones of the future will be able to do.

• it is hard to imagine what cell phones of the future will be able to do.

• Phones come with cameras that take color pictures.

• Today cell phones can do a lot more than just make and receive calls.

Identify the topic sentence in the following paragraph::
For thousands of years, garlic has had many uses. The Romans gave garlic to their slaves for strength and to their soldiers for courage. During the Middle Ages, some people used garlic to keep witches away. In the eighteenth century, garlic was used to cure deseases. Even today, some people believe that eating garlic can prevent colds. Garlic has a long history as a plant with many uses.

• Some people believe that eating garlic can prevent colds.

• For thousands of years, garlic has had many uses.

• Garlic has a long history as a plant with many uses.

Choose the best topic sentence for each paragraph:
First of all, our coach is always late for practice so the team never has enough time to train. Also, he is very mean during the games and yells at the players rather than giving them advice on how to improve. Finally, we need a new coach because our current coach doesn't even know how to play soccer well!

• My soccer team has a horrible coach.

• A good soccer coach should be able to play soccer well.

• Soccer is my favorite sport

Choose the best topic sentence for each paragraph:

For example, a person can have breakfast in New York and fly to Paris for dinner. A businesswoman in London can place an order with a factory in Hong Kong instantly by sending a fax. People can use a webcam to have a meeting without leaving their offices.

• Airplanes have changed our lives.

• Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller.

• The fax machine was an important invention.