Topic sentences and balance report

A paragraph is a group of sentences that are about the same ____________.

• topic

• word

• detail

• book

• person

Sports can brighten someone's mood. Research has shown that sportspeople have a longer lifespan than those who do not play sports. Usain Bolt motivates many to take up exercising. Sports releases dopamine in our body, which is the happy hormone.

What is an appropriate topic sentence for the paragraph above?

• There are many advantages of taking up sports.

• Sports can brighten someone's mood, have a longer lifespan, and release dopamine.

• There are pros and cons of sports.

• The subject of sports has been discussed for many years.

• Mr Jesper loves sports!

Many cultures have their own versions of the same or similar fairy tales. For example, there are Cinderella stories from all over the world! They aren’t exactly the same, though. For instance, the fairy tale “How the Raja’s Son Won the Princess Labam” is from India. “Raja” is a title for king in India. In a Scottish version, the main character is named Rushen Coatie. Even though the details and words might be different, the basic story is similar.

What is an appropriate topic sentence for the passage?

• In Scotland, Cinderella is called Rushen Coatie.

• Cultures all around the world tell similar fairy tales.

• “Raja” is a title for king in India.

• There is only one version of the Cinderella story that people tell.

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

The best trip my family ever took was to Cameron Highlands, Pahang. We drove there in two days. I didn't think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong. We saw the beautiful mountain, picked strawberries and visited a cultural site. I liked the food best because they were very sweet and tangy.

• I didn't think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong.

• We drove there in two days.

• The best trip my family ever took was to Cameron Highlands, Pahang.

• I liked the food best because they were very sweet and tangy.

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

No one likes to eat with a dirty knife, fork, or spoon. It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them. Using clean, soapy water is best. Clean utensils won't transmit germs and bacteria. They also are more pleasant to eat with. No one likes to pick up a fork with food stuck on it!

• No one likes to eat with a dirty knife, fork, or spoon.

• It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them.

• Clean utensils won't transmit germs and bacteria.

• They also are more pleasant to eat with.

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

Growing a garden can be beneficial to the gardener. It is interesting to watch the seeds pop their heads above the soil for the first time. It is sometimes hard to believe that a little seed can become a large vine or plant in just a few weeks. Planting the seeds and pulling weeds are good exercise for anyone. Then, after watching the plant grow and produce, the gardener ends up with delicious tomatoes, beans, or other yummy produce from the garden.

• Growing a garden can be beneficial to the gardener.

• It is interesting to watch the seeds pop their heads above the soil for the first time.

• It is sometimes hard to believe that a little seed can become a large vine or plant in just a few weeks.

• Planting the seeds and pulling weeds are good exercise for anyone.

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

Sometimes it is hard to fall asleep because you are too active. 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.

• Sometimes it is hard to fall asleep because you are too active.

• You can even try telling yourself a story, which may distract your mind enough that you will be asleep in no time.

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

• You can try counting sheep, or just counting,

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

Clarion angelfish live in reef waters. They eat sponges, sea grasses, and algae. They live in small schools typically underneath a ledge or rocky overhanging. A large Clarion angelfish is eight inches long. Its thin body helps it slip in and around rocky reefs. Clarion angelfish are quite unique.

• Clarion angelfish live in reef waters.

• A large Clarion angelfish is eight inches long.

• Clarion angelfish are quite unique.

• They eat sponges, sea grasses, and algae.

Which sentence is most likely the topic sentence of the paragraph?

The rides at the fair are awesome! Everyone can find something they enjoy doing. Many people gather to watch the bull riding. Others like to watch the dogs herding the sheep. Everyone comes for the food and dessert. The county fair is a great place for entertainment and fun.

• The rides at the fair are awesome!

• Everyone can find something they enjoy doing.

• Everyone comes for the food and dessert.

• The county fair is a great place for entertainment and fun.

For example, a person can have breakfast in New York, board an airplane, and have dinner in Paris. A businesswoman in London can instantly place an order with a factory in Hong Kong by sending a fax. Furthermore, a schoolboy in Tokyo can turn on a TV and watch a baseball game being played in Los Angeles.

What is an appropriate topic sentence for the passage?

• Airplanes have changed our lives.

• Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller.

• The fax machine was an important invention.

• Global lifestyles are evolving.