CHOOSING TOPIC SENTENCES

Choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences.

___________ . I usually go skiing every weekend in the winter even though it is expensive. I love the feeling of flying down a mountain. The views are beautiful from the top of a mountain and along the trails. Even the danger of falling and getting hurt can’t keep me away from the slopes on a winter day.

• Skiing is expensive.

• Skiing is my favourite sport.

• Skiing is dangerous.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences.

___________ . I enjoy summer sports like water skiing and baseball. The weather is usually sunny and hot, so I can go to the beach almost every day. Gardening is my hobby and I spend many summer days working in my garden. Unfortunately, the days pass too quickly in summer.

• I like to garden in summer.

• Summer is my favourite season.

• Summer is to short.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

Choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences.

___________ . First of all, we need money to repair old roads and build new roads. We also need more to pay teachers’ salaries and to pay for services such as trash collection. Finally, more tax money is needed to give financial help to the poor citizens of the city. It is clear that the city will have serious problems if taxes are not raised soon.

• We should raise city taxes.

• City taxes are too high.

• City taxes pay for new roads.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences.

___________ . 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.

• Airplanes have changed our lives.

• Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller.

• The fax machine was an important invention.

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Choose the best topic sentence for each group of supporting sentences.

___________ . One thing you must consider is the quality of the university’s educational program. You also need to think about the school’s size and location. Finally, you must be sure to consider the university’s tuition to make sure you can afford to go to school there.

• It is expensive to attend a university in the United States.

• There are several factors to consider when you choose a university to attend.

• You should consider getting a good education.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

Which one is the topic sentence if you put the five sentences into a good paragraph?

It is always sunny and warm.

The beaches are gorgeous, with soft white sand and beautiful water.

Miami is the perfect place to take a vacation.

There are many fine restaurants in the Miami area, and most of the hotels offer terrific entertainment nightly.

It’s no wonder that Miami is my first choice for a vacation destination.

• Miami is the perfect place to take a vacation.

• It’s no wonder that Miami is my first choice for a vacation destination.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which one is the topic sentence if you put the nine sentences into a good paragraph?

He has collected stamps and coins ever since he was a child.

He is very proud of his valuable collections.

Paul also enjoys painting and drawing.

Recently he has become interested in gardening.

Out of all his hobbies, Paul’s favourite one is reading.

He usually reads at least one book every week.

Paul keeps busy with all of his hobbies.

• Paul keeps busy with all of his hobbies.

• Paul has many hobbies.

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RL.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which one is the topic sentence if you put the five sentences into a good paragraph?

I can’t wait to come home from school and eat the delicious meals she has prepared.

She is famous for her desserts like peach pie and chocolate soufflé.

My mother's cooking is very good.

She is always experimenting with new recipes and trying different ingredients.

No one in the world can cook the way my mother does.

• No one in the world can cook the way my mother does.

• My mother's cooking is very good.

Tags

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2

Which one is the topic sentence if you put the five sentences into a good paragraph?

It never starts in cold weather.

The horn and the left turn signal don’t work properly.

Worst of all, the radio only gets one station and the CD player is completely broken.

I wish I could get a new car.

I have troubles with my car.

• I have troubles with my car.

• I wish I could get a new car.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RI.7.2

CCSS.RI.8.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

Which one is the topic sentence if you put the six sentences into a good paragraph?

First and most importantly, the work is very interesting.

I have a fantastic job.

I learn new things every day and I get to travel a lot. In addition, my boss is very nice.

She is always willing to help me when I have a problem.

I have also made many new friends at my job.

Last, but not least, the salary is fantastic.

• I have a fantastic job.

• I have also made many new friends at my job.

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.2

CCSS.RI.11-12.2

CCSS.RL.7.2

CCSS.RL.8.2

CCSS.RL.9-10.2