WEEK 5

LA 1 : READING
• Identifying Topic Sentence
READING
INTRODUCTION

To understand a piece of writing, we must first understand the writer’s main idea that is what
he is trying to tell us. The ability to recognise this main idea or central thought is an important
skill that a good reader develops. The main idea of a paragraph is usually contained in the
topic sentence and some of the supporting details of the paragraph.

TOPIC SENTENCE

The most important sentence in your paragraph is the topic sentence, which clearly states
the subject of the whole paragraph. A topic sentence may appear anywhere in a paragraph.
However, as its function is to tell reader what the entire paragraph is going to be about, it
frequently occurs as the first sentence in the paragraph. When it occurs as the first sentence,
its function is to introduce the subject, and the rest of the sentences support the statement
made about the subject. Simply stated, the topic sentence gives the general idea or summary
of the paragraph.

Subject, Focus and Controlling Idea

What is a controlling idea?

The controlling idea :

• contains words, phrases or ideas that need to be explained, defined or illustrated

• could be generated by asking WH questions (What/ Where/ How/ Why etc.)
• controls or limits the scope of the paragraph
• ensures that all the sentences relate to the main idea of the paragraph.
Examples

Topic : Floods
Question : Why do they occur?
Controlling idea : many reasons
Topic sentence : Floods occur due to many reasons

Topic : Floods
Question : What damage do they cause?
Controlling idea : major damages
Topic sentence : Floods cause major damages to people’s lives.

The purpose of a topic sentence is to

a) alert the reader to the topic or ‘main point’ of the paragraph

b) unify the content of a paragraph and establish a general sense or organization
c) signify how the writer will approach the topic or main point of the paragraph
d) support the author’s thesis statement

EXAMPLE

The following example shows how a topic sentence (bold) can unify a paragraph and how by
introducing the paragraph’s topic sentence makes it easier for a reader to follow the main
point.

Fruits contain many nutrients and offer a variety of health benefits. Oranges contain Vitamin
C, a vitamin people widely recognize as helpful in maintaining immunity and fighting colds.
The high potassium and low sodium contents in bananas help regulate blood pressure. Apples
have fibre, which aids the body’s digestive system. The antioxidants in blueberries aid the
body in many ways, including by reducing free radicals.

The example below shows how adding a topic sentence at the end of a paragraph (bold) can
give the reader a better context of understanding the paragraph’s overarching point.

Often, journal writing is a very personal and private activity. Some people who write journals
never share a single word of their writing. Note taking for a college course is also an act that
writers usually undertake individually. At other times, however, writing is explicitly
collaborative, such as when scientists co-author publications or when more than one person
writes a novel. But even single-authored pieces of writing are often the result of many people
working together. For instance, published writing — from newspaper articles to scholarly
texts and to movie reviews — undergoes editing and revisions. Receiving outside feedback on
a piece of writing is a common and crucial element of turning a good draft into something
publishable. Given these varied situations, writing can be both a solitary and collaborative
endeavour.

Read the following paragraph and identify the topic sentence.

Internet use is increasingly exponentially worldwide. According to UNESCO records, about

90 per cent of Internet users are from technologically advanced countries in the world.
However, the figures are rapidly changing. For example, India expects to have on one
million Internet users by the end of the year 2000. Internet users in Russia are doubling
every year. This trend is a result of the people’s realization that they have to catch up,
keep up and move ahead with technology.

What is the main idea of the paragraph above?

A. Internet users in Russia are doubling every year.

B. Internet use is increasing exponentially worldwide.
C. This trend is a result of the people’s realization that they have to catch up, keep up
and move ahead with technology.
D. According to UNESCO records, about 90 per cent of Internet users are from
technologically advanced countries in the world.

EXERCISE 1

Topic sentence : Several kinds of bacteria can cause food poisoning.

Subject : _____________________________________________________
Controlling idea : _____________________________________________________

Topic sentence : Learning self-defense skills will benefit women.

Subject : ______________________________________________________
Controlling idea : ______________________________________________________

Topic sentence : Teenagers run away from home for several reasons.
Subject : ______________________________________________________
Controlling idea : ______________________________________________________
Topic sentence : Quitting smoking will lead to positive changes.
Subject : ______________________________________________________
Controlling idea : ______________________________________________________

Topic sentence : Serving nutritious food to children is very important.

Subject : ______________________________________________________
Controlling idea : ______________________________________________________

Topic sentence : There are three enjoyable ways of spending your leisure.
Subject : ______________________________________________________
Controlling idea : ______________________________________________________

EXERCISE 2

NITROGEN

All plants need nitrogen in order to live. Most plants get their nitrogen from the soil.
Some plants have ways of catching and using insects as a source of nitrogen.

One well-known insect-eating plant is the Venus flytrap. Its leaves are hinged and
have teeth along the edges. An insect landing on the leaf’s tiny hairs acts as a trigger. The
leaf then snaps shut. The teeth, like the bars of a cage, keep the insect from escaping. When
the insect dies. Its body sends nitrogen to the plant.

Another insect-eater is the pitcher plant. It has hollow leaves partly filled with juices.
Once an insect crawls inside, stiff hairs on the leaf stop it from crawling back out. Finally, the
insect falls into the liquid, drowns, and becomes food for the plant.

Bladderworts and sundews are two kinds of insect-eating plants. The first has a kind
of one-way door that lets insects enter but not exit, the second has leaves covered with
sticky hairs, which turn inward when touched and then trap the insect.

1. What is the main idea of this passage?

A. One well-known insect-eating plant is the Venus flytrap.
B. When the insect dies, its body sends nitrogen to the plant.
C. Some plants catch insects as a source of nitrogen.
D. Bladderworts and sundews are two insect-eating plants.
 2. Which kind of plant has hollow leaves partly filled with liquid?
A. Venus flytrap
B. Pitcher plant
C. Bladderwort
D. Sundew

3. What causes the leaf of a Venus flytrap to close?

A. The teeth along the edge of the leaf snaps shut.
B. An insect touches one of the leaf’s tiny hairs.
C. The leaf has a hinge in the centre.
D. An insect goes in the one-way door and can’t get out.

4. Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the passage?

A. The Venus flytrap is the most common insect-eating plant.
B. Some kinds of plants do not need nitrogen.
C. Insect-eating plants have different ways to catch insects.
D. Insect-eating plants are rare.

5. List two ways plants get nitrogen.

_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

EXERCISE 3

Passage 1

All insects have three main body parts: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. The head has
a pair of antennae, and a pair of compound eyes. The thorax is the middle region of the body,
and it bears the legs and wings. The abdomen contains many body organs, such as the heart,
respiratory system, digestive system and reproductive system. Even though there are many
different sizes, shapes, and colours of insects, they all have the same body.

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Find the topic sentence

 A. The thorax is the middle region of the body.
B. The abdomen contains many body organs
C. All insects have three main body parts: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen.
D. The head has a pair of antennae, and a pair of compound eyes.
Find the supporting detail for the topic sentence.

A. The head has a pair of antennae.

B. The thorax is the middle region of the body.
C. The abdomen contains many body organs
D. All the above

Passage 2
I had a wonderful summer this year. I went to visit my aunt and my cousin at San Diego. My
aunt is a Ballet instructor. I took Ballet lesson from her. I went to see the famous San Diego
Zoo with my cousins. We went to the beach almost every day. We stayed up late watching TV
and playing card games. I wish my summer would never end!

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Find the topic sentence

A. I wish my summer would never end.

B. I had a wonderful summer this year.
C. We went to the beach almost every day.
D. My aunt is a Ballet instructor.
Find the supporting detail for the topic sentence.

A. I wish my summer would never end!

B. I had a wonderful summer this year.
C. My aunt is a Ballet instructor.
D. I went to see the famous San Diego Zoo with my cousins.

Passage 3
Kitty Hawk was made famous on December 17, 1903, when the Wright brothers made the
first airplane flights. The exact location where they flew their first airplane is known as the Kill
Devil Hills. It is a small coastal area in Kitty Hawk town in Dare County, North Carolina, United
States of America. The town was established in 1700s.

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Find the topic sentence

 A. The town was established in 1700s.
B. It is a small coastal area in Kitty Hawk town in Dare County, North Carolina, United
States of America.
C. Kitty Hawk was made famous on December 17, 1903, when the Wright brothers made
the first airplane flights.
D. The exact location where they flew their first airplane is known as the Kill Devil Hills.
Find the supporting detail for the topic sentence.

A. The exact location where they flew their first airplane is known as the Kill Devil Hills.
B. Durham town is in North Carolina, United States of America.
C. Kitty Hawk was made famous on December 17, 1903.
D. None of the above.

Passage 4
Alicia was very upset today. She lost her favourite toy that she got on her birthday. This was
not an ordinary present; it was a present from her best friend. Her friend’s name is Amy. She
is of her age. They play together after school every day. Their favourite pastime is to dress up
dolls. Alicia’s dad told her that he would buy her a new toy. But that did not make her happy.

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Find the topic sentence

A. Their favourite pastime is to dress up dolls.

B. They play together after school every day.
C. But that did not make her happy.
D. Alicia was very upset today.
Find the supporting detail for the topic sentence.

A. Her friend’s name is Amy.

B. But that did not make her happy.
C. This was not an ordinary present.
D. She lost her favourite toy that she got on her birthday.