Paragraph Writing Skills
Learn to write effective paragraphs by mastering topic sentences, supporting sentences, vocabulary, and grammar
Questions
Inside famed actor Lily Langtry's private railroad car were a drawing room with a piano, bath fixtures of silver, and there were draperies trimmed with Brussels lace.
- There were draperies trimmed with Brussels lace
- Draperies trimmed with Brussels lace
- Trimmed with Brussels lace were draperies
- The draperies were trimmed with Brussels lace
- Draperies trimmed with Brussels lace were there
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
The mountain road was distinctly _______: it twisted back and forth along the contours of the hillside.
- Panoramic
- Precipitous
- Serpentine
- Circumscribed
- Retrograde
Much of our knowledge of dinosaurs comes from excavated bones, which, in --- other clues such as fossilized tracks and eggs, help us to ---- the evolution of these creatures.
- Convergence with .. supplant
- Divergence from .. decode
- Dependence on .. belie
- Opposition to .. amplify
- Conjunction with .. trace
Identify the appropriate topic sentence:
An American woman may, for example, put on a kimono, a Japanese word. Americans living in warmer climates may take an afternoon siesta on an outdoor patio without realizing that these words have Spanish origins. They may enjoy the fragrance of jasmine flowers, a word introduced to the English language from Persia. They may blissfully be unaware that the chaise longue on which they relax and the glass of vodka they have in hand, are words of French and Russian origin respectively.
- There are many foreign words in the English language.
- Although the majority of Americans may not be aware of it, several features of their culture and language have come from other cultures.
- Americans are unaware of many things.
- Americans should learn new languages.
Which option contains the best topic sentence?
- To be an effective leader requires certain skills and charactersitics.
- A leader is a person who leads a group or team towards a goal.
- Natural leaders are few and rare.
- Skills and characteristics define a good leader.
Select a suitable topic sentence for the following topic:
Studying a foreign language
- However, we often overlook the importance of learning new languages.
- There are numerous benefits to studying a foreign language.
- Many factors influence students to learn a foreign language.
- There are a few, significant challenges to learning a foreign language.
Which option contains the best topic sentence?
- Martin Isle is the most polluted island in the world.
- There are many reasons why Martin Isle is now the world's most polluted island.
- Martin Isle is an island and it is very polluted.
- Pollution has destroyed the island of Martin Isle.
Identify the sentence which supports or elaborates on the given topic sentence:
Parents are progressively opting to send their children to private schools rather than public schools.
- Private school funding has increased considerably in the past few years.
- There are many reasons for this.
- The quality of education at private schools parallels or goes beyond that at public schools.
- Unfortunately, the average scores of students are better at public schools than at private schools.
Identify the best topic sentence for the following paragraph:
Thousands of people are born each day. The population of the world has already exceeded seven billion. If the present growth rate remains unchecked, the world may soon face wide-spread starvation, poverty, and serious health problems. _________________________________ (topic sentence).
- It is, therefore, predicted that most of the world's population will suffer from serious health problems in the near future.
- One of the most serious issues is the population boom in third world countries.
- The exponentially rising world population is the most important issue the world needs to address.
- We need to take active steps to curb the rising population.
Which option contains the best topic sentence?
- A victim may not be identified in such cases.
- Sometimes, a victim cannot be identified.
- A victim's identification may be lost.
- There are several cases when the victim cannot be identified.
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
At the family reunion Hiroko found her cousin charming and gentle, the _______ of his formerly rude and overbearing self.
- Remnant
- Antithesis
- Consequence
- Extremity
- Mainstay
Samuel Adams was by no means the first American to espouse the democratic cause, but he has been the first who conceived the party machinery that made it practical.
- Has been the first who conceived
- Had been the first who conceived
- Was the first having conceived
- Was the first to conceive
- Having been the first to conceive
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
In her writings about language, the poet Gloria Anzaldua celebrates the _______ of English and Spanish dialects spoken by Mexican Americans, arguing that such _______ lends an empowering flexibility to expression.
- Multiplicity . . variety
- Proliferation . . moderation
- Ambivalence . . focus
- Dearth . . depletion
- Abridgment . . imitation
The sales assistant arranged the gems on the counter, he proceeded to tell us about the origins of each stone.
- The sales assistant arranged the gems on the counter, he
- The gems, which were arranged on the counter by the sales assistant, who
- The gems were first arranged on the counter by the sales assistant, then
- After arranging the gems on the counter, the sales assistant
- The sales assistant, having arranged the gems on the counter, he
Choose the word or set of words that, when inserted in the sentence, best fits the meaning of the sentence as a whole.
The archaeologist believed the coin she unearthed was ________ evidence, unquestionable proof that the site dated to the fourth century.
- Immaterial
- Potential
- Incriminating
- Nominal
- Indisputable
Identify the topic sentence:
Throughout the centuries, some form of written communication has been utilized. In earlier times, people carved or painted messages on rocks. People then began writing on pieces of leather, which were rolled into scrolls. With the dawn of the Middle Ages, heavy paper called parchment was used for writing and books were laboriously hand-copied. With the advent of the printing press in the mid-fifteenth century, the modern printing industry came to life.
- In earlier times, people carved or painted messages on rocks.
- Throughout the centuries, some form of written communication has been utilized.
- With the advent of the printing press in the mid-fifteenth century, the modern printing industry came to life.
- With the dawn of the Middle Ages, heavy paper called parchment was used for writing and books were laboriously hand-copied.
Read the following paragraph and identify the topic sentence:
Driving in winter can be less problematic if you take a few simple precautionary steps. Firstly, if you are planning to drive on snowy, icy roads, put on snow tires. Secondly, make sure you have enough antifreeze in your radiator. Next, add anti freeze to your windshield washer fluid to avoid the fluid freezing and breaking the container. Finally, carry tire chains, a spray-can to unfreeze door locks, and a windshield scraper in your car when driving in cold weather.
- Finally, carry tire chains, a spray-can to unfreeze door locks, and a windshield scraper in your car when driving in cold weather.
- Firstly, if you are planning to drive on snowy, icy roads, put on snow tires.
- Driving in winter can be less problematic if you take a few simple precautionary steps.
- No topic sentence
Identify the sentence(s) which supports or elaborates on the given topic sentence:
Parents are progressively opting to send their children to private schools rather than public schools.
- Private school funding has increased considerably in the past few years.
- There are many reasons for this.
- The quality of education at private schools parallels or goes beyond that at public schools.
- Unfortunately, the average scores of students are better at public schools than at private schools.
Identify the topic sentence:
As a result of depleting oil reserves and increasing environmental concerns, radical developments in car design have emerged. To find an alternative to conventional gasoline engines, researchers are experimenting with different types of fuels and engines. An engine which uses diesel oil instead of gasoline has been in existence for many years. There is also the gas turbine engine, which can utilize fuels made from gasoline, diesel oil, kerosene and other petroleum distillates. Finally, many automobile manufacturers are testing methanol as a fuel. Hopefully, a breakthrough in these areas will relieve the overstretched oil market as well as the environment.
- As a result of depleting oil reserves and increasing environmental concerns, radical developments in car design have emerged.
- Finally, many automobile manufacturers are testing methanol as a fuel.
- Hopefully, a breakthrough in these areas will relieve the overstretched oil market as well as the environment.
- To find an alternative to conventional gasoline engines, researchers are experimenting with different types of fuels and engines.
Select a suitable topic sentence for the given topic:
The effect of T.V. on children.
- T.V. can help improve a child's imagination.
- Television may adversely affect a person's health.
- T.V. has both positive and negative effects on a child's behavior.
- Children these days watch a lot of television.
Select a suitable topic sentence for the paragraph below:
For instance, people like the Eskimos, who live in places that have few trees, build temporary homes out of ice blocks. People who live in deserts, however, build houses out of mud or clay, which provide good insulation from heat and are readily available in their surroundings. In places where forests are plentiful, such as Northern Europe and Russia, homes are made out of wood. In the South Pacific, where there are many bamboo and palm trees, people use the tough, fibers of these plants to build their houses.
- People usually build homes out of things that they find around them.
- House construction in various parts of the world depends mainly on the availability of building materials.
- The climatic conditions in an area determine the kind of homes people build.
- The availability of trees is an important factor in the building of homes.
Select the best topic sentence for the given paragraph:
Since scientists can now work at the level of genes, animal breeding for desired features may soon become obsolete. Many people support genetic engineering, arguing that several genetic changes will be very beneficial and free of potential harm. They claim that as long as there are safeguards, humans would be foolish to not take advantage of genetic engineering. However, some people have seen the speed at which gene manipulation can get out of control, mixing species so that plant and animal are no longer discernible. They wish to turn back time. But can they?
- There are many cases where gene manipulation has gone out of hand.
- Whether people agree or not, genetic engineering has benefitted society in many ways.
- Bizarre hybrids are the biggest fear of people who do not support genetic engineering.
- Although it is still debatable whether genetic engineering will provide the benefits it promises without the dangers, it is definitely here to stay.
Identify the topic sentence:
The heart weighs approximately 11 ounces and is as big as a clenched fist. The heart of a man beats about 60 to 80 times a minute and about 40 million times a year. With each beat, it takes in nearly a quarter of a pint of blood; in the course of a single day, it pumps 2,200 gallons of blood, and in a single lifetime about 56 million gallons. What other engine is capable of performing such heavy work over such a long period of time without needing repairs? Without a doubt, the human heart is a small yet highly efficient piece of equipment.
- The heart of a man beats about 60 to 80 times a minute and about 40 million times a year.
- Without a doubt, the human heart is a small yet highly efficient piece of equipment.
- The heart weighs approximately 11 ounces and is as big as a clenched fist.
- What other engine is capable of performing such heavy work over such a long period of time without needing repairs?
Identify the topic sentence:
The Badanga was an object of sheer horror, as his life's object was to challenge quiet villagers to a duel. As the then law of the land stood in the Teda tribe, a man who declined to accept a challenge from a Badanga forfeited all his worldly possessions, even his wife, over to the hands of his challenger. Therefore, the Badanga had any man he challenged at his mercy. If the Badanga slew him, the farmer's possessions became his, and if the poor fellow declined to fight, he lost all legal right to his property anyway. A Badanga would invite himself to any feast and contribute to the hilarity of the entertainment by killing in gory fashion any merrymaker who displeased him. He might even single one out to murder for no other reason than to practice his combat skills.
- Therefore, the Badanga had any man he challenged at his mercy.
- He might even single one out to murder for no other reason than to practice his combat skills.
- The Badanga was an object of sheer horror, as his life's object was to challenge quiet villagers to a duel.
- If the Badanga slew him, the farmer's possessions became his, and if the poor fellow declined to fight, he lost all legal right to his property anyway.
Identify the best topic sentence for the following paragraph:
In European universities, students do not need to attend classes. As a matter of fact, German professors usually do not even know the names of their students. On the contrary, in the United States, students must attend every class and may be penalized for not doing so. Additionally, in the European system, students usually only have to appear for one comprehensive examination after their four or five years of study. On the other hand, in the American system, each semester ends with an exam and there are numerous assignments, quizzes, and tests throughout the semester.
- Students prefer to study in Europe rather than America.
- University systems can vary considerably from country to country.
- There is considerable debate as to which is better: the European education system or the American education system.
- The American education system is more rigorous than the European education system.
Select an appropriate topic sentence for the following topic:
Mental illness
- Of course, it comes as no surprise that the number of facilities available for the mentally ill is much less than the number of patients that need them.
- Mental illness is, on the other hand, still a stigma in our society.
- There are many ways in which society can help in the treatment and care of the mentally ill.
- Society's perception and understanding of mental illness have changed drastically in the last few years.
Select a suitable topic sentence for the following topic:
Travelling to foreign countries
- To travel to other countries is always an adventure.
- Travelling to different countries involves a lot of planning and preparation.
- For instance, certain careers often include plenty of travelling.
- Foreign travel once used to be a luxury that only the rich could enjoy.
Identify the topic sentence:
People all over Britain worked to make, equip and support military, commercial and fishing fleets. So, many people found work in construction and maintenance work related to the shipping industry. Ships needed to be supplied with sails, ropes and other essentials; warships needed cannon and gunpowder; sailors and passengers needed food and these requirements kept people in employment throughout the year. Thus, seafaring was an important source of work for not only sailors and fishermen, but for many others.
- People all over Britain worked to make, equip and support military, commercial and fishing fleets.
- Thus, seafaring was an important source of work for not only sailors and fishermen, but for many others.
- So, many people found work in construction and maintenance work related to the shipping industry.
- Ships needed to be supplied with sails, ropes and other essentials; warships needed cannon and gunpowder; sailors and passengers needed food and these requirements kept people in employment throughout the year.
Which option contains the best topic sentence?
- The Civil war had lasting effects on the South.
- I am going to discuss the effects on the South of the Civil war.
- Since the Civil war was fought mostly in the South, it had lasting effects there.
- The Civil war effected the South of America.
Identify the topic sentence:
What do you prefer: oceans or lakes? Oceans and lakes have many similarities, but they also possess many differences. Both are water bodies, but oceans are very large bodies of salt water, while lakes are much smaller bodies of fresh water. Lakes are usually surrounded by land, while oceans surround continents. Both are inhabited by plants and animals. The ocean is home to the largest animals on the planet, whereas lakes support much smaller life-forms. Both are ideal places to visit and enjoy during your vacations.
- What do you prefer: oceans or lakes?
- Oceans and lakes have many similarities, but they also possess many differences.
- Both are ideal places to visit and enjoy during your vacations.
- Both are water bodies, but oceans are very large bodies of salt water, while lakes are much smaller bodies of fresh water.
Which option contains the best topic sentence?
- Abraham Lincoln was an influential leader.
- Abraham Lincoln was born in 1809.
- Abraham Lincoln, born in 1809, was one of the most influential politicians in the history of America.
- I am going to write about Abraham Lincoln.
Identify the topic sentence:
We all hate a messy room, but what's worse is cleaning it. The following is the perfect system for cleaning your room. First, keep all items that do not have a designated place at the center of the room. Dispose of at least five things that you have not used within a year. Now find a location for each of the items you had placed in the center of the room. For the remaining items, try to squeeze them under your bed or into the back of your closet. See, that wasnt so hard!
- We all hate a messy room, but what's worse is cleaning it.
- The following is the perfect system for cleaning your room.
- See, that wasnt so hard!
- For the remaining items, try to squeeze them under your bed or into the back of your closet.
The last step in paragraph writing is-
- Conclusion
- Stating examples
- Revision and proofreading
- Topic sentence
The essential elements of paragraph writing are _________________.
- understanding, topic, writer's intelligence and length.
- unity, order, coherence and completeness.
- details, continuity and information.
- introduction, conclusion and body.
Which of the following is a characteristic of a good conclusion of a paragraph?
- Summarizing the points stated in the paragraph
- Using linking words that indicate conclusions being drawn
- Repeating words or phrases from the topic sentence
- All of the above
Which of the following is not a preliminary step in paragraph writing?
- Read the topic carefully
- Look for key terms or words in the topic
- Start writing without any preparation
- Think about what you already know about the topic
Which of the following contributes towards a better understanding of a paragraph?
- Topic sentence
- Continuity in flow of ideas
- Both A and B
- None of the above
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a well-written paragraph?
- Relevant information
- Linking of ideas
- Comprehensive sentences
- None of these
While writing a paragraph, what immediately follows the main idea?
- The conclusion
- Illustration of the main idea
- Revision of the paragraph
- None of the above
Which of the following does NOT hold true for a paragraph?
- A paragraph is a container of only one idea.
- A paragraph should contain a convincing conclusion.
- All of the ideas in each sentence of a paragraph should point to one main idea.
- None of the above.
Which of the following is NOT a part of writing a paragraph?
- Reading the topic
- Introduction
- Conclusion
- None of the above
Which of the following is a salient feature of a strong paragraph?
- The length of the paragraph.
- It contains one main idea or topic.
- The topic.
- The writer's vocabulary.
Complete the given sentence.
A topic sentence ______________________.
- is a sentence which contains the topic and the controlling idea of the paragraph
- is the main topic of the paragraph
- helps the reader to understand the writer's ideas better.
- Both A and C
In paragraph writing, we support our topic sentence with the following, except:
- Examples
- Statistical data
- Details
- Topic sentence
The concluding sentences have a crucial role in paragraph writing. They __________________.
- Link the current paragraph with the following paragraph
- Draw together the information presented in the paragraph
- Both A and B
- None of the above
The concluding sentence helps to impress the reader only if -
- It binds the argument together
- It rephrases the main topic
- It guides the reader regarding the information given in the paragraph
- Both A and C
The controlling idea of a paragraph is -
- The idea that focuses on the topic by giving direction to the composition.
- The main subject matter covered in the paragraph.
- The conclusion of a paragraph.
- The first line of a paragraph.