Identifying Topic Sentences in a Paragraph

Instruction: Choose the topic sentence in the paragraph

Maize is the most important cereal in the world after wheat and rice. It is the most important crop in the United States, occupying double the area of any other crop. Most of the maize crop is used in the countries in which it is grown and only about ten per cent enters into world trade, of which the United States supplies about sixty per cent.

• A. Most of the maize crop is used in the countries in which it is grown and only about ten per cent enters into world trade

• B. Maize is the most important cereal in the world after wheat and rice.

• C. It is the most important crop in the United States, occupying double the area of any other crop.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Instruction: Choose the topic sentence in the paragraph

Being a celebrity is often difficult. First of all, celebrities have to look almost perfect all the time because there is always a photographer who is ready to take an unflattering picture. Celebrities also sacrifice their private lives. Their personal struggles or divorces all end up as front-page news. Last, and most frightening of all, celebrities are in constant danger of the wrong kind of attention.

• A. Celebrities also sacrifice their private lives.

• B. Last, and most frightening of all, celebrities are in constant danger of the wrong kind of attention

• C. Being a celebrity is often difficult.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Instruction: Choose the topic sentence in the paragraph

There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep. You can try counting sheep, or just counting, which will keep your mind busy with a repetitious activity. Sometimes listening to soft music or gentle sounds, like rain, helps. You can even try telling yourself a story, which may distract your mind enough that you will be asleep in no time.

• A. There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep.

• B. You can try counting sheep, or just counting, which will keep your mind busy with a repetitious activity.

• C. Sometimes listening to soft music or gentle sounds, like rain, helps

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Instruction: Choose the topic sentence in the paragraph

Americans love to send greeting cards. For instance,over 4 million birthday cards are sent out in this country every day. Around Valentine's Day last year, over 900 million cards were mailed. And close to 3 billion holiday greeting cards were sent out during the Christmas season.

• A. Around Valentine's Day last year, over 900 million cards were mailed.

• B. For instance,over 4 million birthday cards are sent out in this country every day.

• C. Americans love to send greeting cards.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Instruction: Choose the topic sentence in the paragraph

Fragrances are not limited to the petal, but can come from the leaves of lavender and peppermint. Besides, the oils of cinnamon and balsam are derived from bark, while the oils of cedar come from its wood. The fragrance of ginger and sassafras comes from roots, and orange and lemon come from fruits and seeds. There are many sources from which to derive fragrances for perfumes.

• A. There are many sources from which to derive fragrances for perfumes.

• B. The fragrance of ginger and sassafras comes from roots, and orange and lemon come from fruits and seeds.

• C. Fragrances are not limited to the petal, but can come from the leaves of lavender and peppermint.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2