• One of the sentences in the paragraph is the topic sentence.
• You are to identify the TOPIC SENTENCE for each.
• You may copy only the topic sentence in your notebook or print out the
page.
Example #1
There were three reasons why I did not enjoy the school trip. Firstly,
the journey to our hotel was long, hot and boring. Secondly, we spent all our
time in museums doing boring worksheets. And thirdly, we had to go to bed
really early.
Example #2
There are many things that ESL students can do to improve their
English more quickly. They can join an after-school club which will give them
the chance to practice spoken English while doing an activity that they
enjoy. They can also watch films, particularly DVDs with the English subtitles
turned on. Best of all, however, is to do plenty of reading for pleasure. Nonfiction in particular is an excellent way of acquiring a strong academic
vocabulary
Example #3
The best holiday that I ever had was when I was 8 years old. My
family drove into the Scottish mountains in a rented caravan, and we spent
the whole time walking in the wonderful nature in that part of the world. We
were very lucky with the weather.
Example #4
The school could do much more to protect the environment. I don't
understand, for example, why we cannot use metal cutlery instead of plastic
ones that just get thrown away after the meal. We could also have different
trashcans to recycle paper and cola cans. We could also limit the number of
copies that teachers and students are allowed to make on the photocopier
machine.
Example #5
If you want to live a long and healthy life, you have to get into good
habits when you are young. It is important to get some fresh air and
exercise every day. Furthermore, it is essential that you give your body the
right nutrition like fruit and vegetables. Too much junk food is certainly not
advisable. Of course, it is vital also not to start addictive habits such as
smoking or the taking of other drugs.
Example #6
Living in a city can be expensive and stressful, but there are
compensations. You never have to travel very far to buy anything you could
need. Entertainment such as discos, cinemas and theaters are not far away.
And you have a good choice of doctors and hospitals if you get sick. A
further advantage is that you can live anonymously if you choose.
Example #7
Most universities interview students before offering them a place. Of
course, the universities look at the grades that the students have got in their
IB exams, but they also want to see if the students can express themselves
well and talk enthusiastically about their future plans. They also want to see
evidence that the students are healthy and will not drop out quickly.
Example #8
Air pollution in Germany has decreased in recent years, but it is still a
problem in the larger cities. In Berlin, for example, the fine dust that is
emitted from exhausts has been shown to exacerbate asthma in young
children living near busy roads. In Hamburg, with its large factories and oil
refineries, the industrial smoke can mix with fog to cause a low-lying smog
that is slow to disappear.
Example #9
Making a web page is easier than most people think. If you can use Microsoft
Word and format text, then you will quickly learn Frontpage, which is
another Microsoft program with a very similar interface. There are just a few
extra functions to learn, such as making a link.
Example #10
The student often came late to class without his materials. He did not always
concentrate on what the teacher was saying or write down the homework
that he had to do. He did not study long or effectively enough for his
vocabulary and grammar tests. Furthermore, he did not ask for help if there
was something that he did not understand. It is no surprise therefore that he
failed the course and was asked to leave the school.
Examples #11
There are a number of precautions that you should take if travelling to some
places in Africa. You need to check if you need to have injections against
some of the common diseases such as malaria. It is advisable also not to
take large amounts of money; travellers' checks are a safer choice. Another
precaution is to ask in the hotel where you are staying which parts of the
town you should be careful in after dark.