NAME ______________________ CLASS ___________ DATE _______
for CHAPTER 19: EXERCISE 3 pages 506–507
WORKSHEET 31
Developing a Clincher Sentence
DIRECTIONS The following paragraphs do not have clincher sentences.
■ Provide a clincher sentence for each paragraph.
■ Remember that a good clincher sentence brings the paragraph to a close by
emphasizing the main idea.
1. Although scientists now recognize that volcanoes are a natural part of how
the earth changes over time, people have not always seen them that way. Many
early cultures tried to understand volcanoes by linking them to supernatural
forces. Some cultures believed that volcanic eruptions indicated that the earth was
angry. Other cultures believed that eruptions were a sign from the gods. Indeed,
our word volcano derives from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and metalworking.
Clincher sentence: _____
2. Geologists now know that volcanoes are the result of the earth’s having a
hot core. Deep in the earth, temperatures are extreme, and the heat cannot escape
easily. Some of the material melts and then floats closer to the earth’s surface.
When the melted material (called magma) reaches the surface, it may seep out
quietly, or it may spew forth in a violent explosion.
Clincher sentence: _____
3. Geologists are not the only scientists who study volcanoes. Biologists and
meteorologists are concerned with what happens on the earth’s surface after
volcanic events. Biologists may be interested in how life adapts to volcanic
activity and meteorologists in how the atmosphere and weather are affected by it.
Clincher sentence: _____
4. Volcanoes occur in a variety of shapes. A broad structure with a small
dome is called a shield volcano. Shield volcanoes are formed of lava flows and
contain little cinder or ash. A small, steep cone formed mainly of ejected pieces of
lava—or “cinder”—is a cinder cone. The classic, cone-shaped volcano is called a
composite cone. It is formed when layers of cinder alternate with layers of lava
flow.
Clincher sentence: _____
5. Despite their destructive reputation, volcanoes can be beneficial to
humans. People often vacation near volcanoes’ slopes. Volcanoes provide terrific
recreation, such as mountain climbing, skiing, photography, and bird-watching.
Furthermore, volcanic soil is excellent for farming. Crops such as sugar cane,
pineapples, and macadamia nuts grow well in volcanic soil.
Clincher sentence: _____
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