Identifying Topic Sentences in Writing

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Questions and Answers

What was Jacques Cousteau known for in addition to his underwater documentaries?

Building underwater hotels

Unearthing an ancient Greek shipwreck (correct)

Discovering a new species of fish

Creating a marine life sanctuary

Which award did Cousteau receive for his military service?

Legion of Honor (correct)

Academy Award

Pulitzer Prize

Nobel Prize

What did Cousteau prioritize for future generations?

Establishing marine research centers

Protecting the sea (correct)

Creating underwater theme parks

Developing new diving gear

At what age did Jacques Cousteau die?

87 Signup and view all the answers

How many Emmy nominations did Cousteau receive?

Forty Signup and view all the answers

What was one of Cousteau's proudest achievements before his death?

Helping to save the environment Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is NOT typically associated with Jacques Cousteau's appearance?

He had blue eyes Signup and view all the answers

What was one effect of Cousteau's films on society?

Influencing people's understanding of marine life Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bashing' mean in the selection?

speaking or writing harshly about Signup and view all the answers

What does 'esteemed' mean in the context provided?

greatly admired Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'labor' as used in the phrase?

works Signup and view all the answers

What does 'intruder' refer to in the context of the alarm system?

someone who goes where they are not wanted Signup and view all the answers

What does 'transient' describe in the context provided?

it doesn't last long Signup and view all the answers

What does 'dispute' mean in the context of Brea and Elizabeth's situation?

a disagreement Signup and view all the answers

What is the opposite of 'disperse' as used in the crowd's behavior?

come together Signup and view all the answers

What does 'distinct' imply about the two candidates?

they offer different choices Signup and view all the answers

What is one disadvantage mentioned about wearing the uniform?

It is not comfortable. Signup and view all the answers

Which punctuation mark is used to mark the end of a complete thought that is not a question or an exclamation?

Period Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the benefits of using credit cards?

They are convenient for purchases. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding periods in American English?

Some abbreviations require periods, but not all. Signup and view all the answers

How do ellipses function in a sentence?

To indicate suppressed text or incomplete thoughts. Signup and view all the answers

What does the content suggest about the management of money when using credit cards?

It helps become a better money manager. Signup and view all the answers

When does the author’s grandmother make cupcakes?

I and II only Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a mentioned use of punctuation?

To indicate sarcasm. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main concern expressed about the style of the uniform?

It is too conservative. Signup and view all the answers

Which holiday does the author like most?

Christmas Signup and view all the answers

Based on the things the author gets for Christmas, we can understand that he likes:

art Signup and view all the answers

What is the author’s favorite thing about holidays?

getting presents Signup and view all the answers

What costume did the author wear for Halloween last year?

a skeleton costume Signup and view all the answers

Based on what you know about the author, what costume will he probably wear next year?

a pumpkin costume Signup and view all the answers

This story is mainly about:

why the author likes some holidays Signup and view all the answers

What is the best title for this passage?

The Holidays I Like Signup and view all the answers

What unique ability do birds have compared to humans when it comes to learning behaviors?

Birds can perform necessary behaviors without being taught. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributes significantly to children's academic success?

Parents' active involvement in their children's studies improves grades. Signup and view all the answers

What role do United States immigration laws play regarding the entry of newcomers?

They impose limits on the number of people permitted to enter. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common characteristic of organic food?

Organic produce tends to contain more vitamins and minerals. Signup and view all the answers

What is a curious law mentioned regarding youth activities?

In Clinton, Indiana, it's illegal for teenagers to bathe in winter. Signup and view all the answers

What is significant about a cat's whiskers?

Whiskers have a sensory function, providing superior touch. Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable trend concerning longevity in human populations?

Lifestyle changes have contributed to longer lifespans. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic of organic chocolate products is noted?

A wide variety of organic chocolate products are now available. Signup and view all the answers

What happened during the 1996 salvage attempt of the Titanic's hull?

A storm caused the salvage lines to break. Signup and view all the answers

How many watertight compartments were ruptured, leading to the ship's sinking?

Six Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about subject-verb agreement is true?

Inverted sentences do not affect verb agreement. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs if the subject is singular and the verb is plural?

This results in a grammatically incorrect sentence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following phrases correctly maintains subject-verb agreement?

Each of the players is practicing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of modifying phrases on subject-verb agreement?

They have no effect on agreement. Signup and view all the answers

What is a common error regarding indefinite pronouns in sentences?

Most are treated as singular. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sentences correctly uses subject-verb agreement?

The team is playing well this season. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

WRITING

Writers often express their main idea in a clearly defined sentence known as a topic sentence.
Topic sentences are usually found at the beginning of a paragraph to establish the main idea immediately.
However, topic sentences can be found anywhere in a paragraph.
Sometimes, the author chooses not to use a topic sentence in a paragraph.
Identifying the topic sentence is a good skill to help understand the meaning of a reading passage.
A topic sentence is a sentence that introduces or defines the topic of a paragraph. It is frequently the first sentence in a paragraph but not always.

EXERCISES

Exercise 1: Choose the topic sentence that best fits the paragraph.
- Paragraph 1: The term spices is a pleasant one, whether it connotes fine French cuisine or a down-home, cinnamon-flavored apple pie. In the past, individuals traveled the world seeking exotic spices for profit and, in searching, have changed the course of history. Indeed, to gain control of lands harboring new spices, nations have actually gone to war. (Topic Sentence: The term spices is a pleasant one...)
- Paragraph 2: The taste and aroma of spices are the main elements that make food such a source of fascination and pleasure. The term might equally bring to mind Indian curry made thousands of miles away and those delicious barbecued ribs sold on the corner. (Topic Sentence: The taste and aroma of spices...)
- Paragraph 3: It rained in April; it rained in May. It rained in the mornings; it rained in the afternoons. It poured, it drizzled, it showered, it misted-but always it rained. But the good news is we won't have a drought this summer. (Topic Sentence: This spring was the rainiest on record.)
Exercise 2: Choose the sentence that best answers the question.
- Question 1: For the following questions, a topic sentence is given. Try choosing the sentence that best develops or supports it.
- Topic Sentence: A fireplace should be lined with special fire bricks to prevent heat transfer. - Supporting Sentence: Normal bricks are not dense enough to withstand excessive heat. (Correct Answer: a)
Exercise 3: Find the irrelevant sentence in each paragraph.
- Paragraph 1: There are several ways people can conserve natural resources. One way is to turn lights off and appliances when they are not in use. Another way is to drive cars less. My favorite kind of car is convertible. People can also insulate their houses better. Finally, by reusing things like bottles and plastic bags, people can reduce the amount of waste. (Irrelevant sentence: “My favorite kind of car is convertible.")

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Description

This quiz focuses on the skill of identifying topic sentences within paragraphs. Understanding how to pinpoint these sentences helps readers grasp the main ideas and structure of a text. You'll choose the best topic sentence that fits a given paragraph.