Tag: writing a paragraph

Questions Related to writing a paragraph

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.

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. People usually build homes out of things that they find around them.

  2. House construction in various parts of the world depends mainly on the availability of building materials.

  3. The climatic conditions in an area determine the kind of homes people build.

  4. The availability of trees is an important factor in the building of homes.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The correct topic sentence is Option C. A topic sentence states the point about topic the writer wishes to make about the subject. Here, the two main points are types of houses in the different parts of the world and the building materials of these houses. Option A is incorrect as the sentence is too general and is talking about 'building houses by people'. Option C is incorrect as this sentence specifies the climatic conditions directly. Option D is incorrect as it does not adhere to the essence of the paragraph.

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?

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. There are many cases where gene manipulation has gone out of hand.

  2. Whether people agree or not, genetic engineering has benefitted society in many ways.

  3. Bizarre hybrids are the biggest fear of people who do not support genetic engineering.

  4. Although it is still debatable whether genetic engineering will provide the benefits it promises without the dangers, it is definitely here to stay.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The best topic sentence is Option D as it depicts both the positive and negative of the genetic engineering procedure briefly. A topic sentence depicts the overall idea of the paragraph in brief and Option D does that appropriately. Options A and C are incorrect as they only focus on the negatives of the procedure. Option B is incorrect as it only mentions the positive of the procedure.

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.

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. The heart of a man beats about 60 to 80 times a minute and about 40 million times a year.

  2. Without a doubt, the human heart is a small yet highly efficient piece of equipment.

  3. The heart weighs approximately 11 ounces and is as big as a clenched fist.

  4. What other engine is capable of performing such heavy work over such a long period of time without needing repairs?

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The correct topic sentence is Option B as it depicts the size and the importantance of the heart in brief. The main role of a topic sentence is to depict the overall idea of the paragraph in brief and Option B does it appropriately. Options A and C are incorrect as each one of them is only describing one feature of the heart  at a time and thus does not summarize the idea in a sentence. Option D is incorrect as it is a question and it actually functions to introduce the topic sentence.

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. 

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. Therefore, the Badanga had any man he challenged at his mercy.

  2. He might even single one out to murder for no other reason than to practice his combat skills.

  3. The Badanga was an object of sheer horror, as his life's object was to challenge quiet villagers to a duel.

  4. 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.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The topic sentence is Option C. A topic sentence depicts the overall idea of the paragraph in brief and here, why the people feared the Badanga, has been mentioned appropriately. Options A, B and C are incorrect as they describe the various ways in which the Badanga worried the people and each of them are a part of the reasons why people feared them but these sentences do not provide an overview of the situation mentioned in the paragraph.

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.

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. Students prefer to study in Europe rather than America.

  2. University systems can vary considerably from country to country.

  3. There is considerable debate as to which is better: the European education system or the American education system.

  4. The American education system is more rigorous than the European education system.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The best topic sentence for the paragraph is Option B. A topic sentence depicts the overall idea of the paragraph in brief and in this option the diversity in university systems in depicted appropriately. Options A, C and D are incorrect as all of these options are bringing in a comparison between the two universities as to which one is better, but that is not the central idea of the paragraph. The paragraph just mentions about the two systems.

Select an appropriate topic sentence for the following topic:

Mental illness

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. 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.

  2. Mental illness is, on the other hand, still a stigma in our society.

  3. There are many ways in which society can help in the treatment and care of the mentally ill.

  4. Society's perception and understanding of mental illness have changed drastically in the last few years.

Show answer
Correct Option: C,D
Explanation:

The correct topic sentence for the topic is Option C and Option D. Both the sentences give us an idea about the place of mentally ill people in our society and also gives us a hint about how people perceive them. Option A is incorrect as it is too specific mentioning only about the facilities for the mentally ill people. Option B is also incorrect as it only points out the negativity of people about mental illness.

Select a suitable topic sentence for the following topic:

Travelling to foreign countries

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. To travel to other countries is always an adventure.

  2. Travelling to different countries involves a lot of planning and preparation.

  3. For instance, certain careers often include plenty of travelling.

  4. Foreign travel once used to be a luxury that only the rich could enjoy.

Show answer
Correct Option: B,D
Explanation:

The correct topic lines that can suit the given topic are Option B and Option D. Both the sentences give an overview on what foreign traveling experiences involve and how can one plan for it. Once the paragraph proceeds the specific effects can be mentioned. Option C is incorrect as it is too specific and it can be included as a part of the paragraph but it does not suit as the topic line for the paragraph. Option A is too general and thus does not suit to be a correct topic sentence.

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.

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. People all over Britain worked to make, equip and support military, commercial and fishing fleets.

  2. Thus, seafaring was an important source of work for not only sailors and fishermen, but for many others.

  3. So, many people found work in construction and maintenance work related to the shipping industry.

  4. 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.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The correct topic sentence is Option B as it mentions that seafaring provided a lot of job opportunities for people. A topic sentence depicts the overall idea of the paragraph in brief. Options A and C are incorrect as they mention that the people worked in various sectors of the shipping industry but does not give an overview of the situation. Option D is incorrect as it mentions about the requirements in a ship and how they kept the people employed, thus not fulfilling the purpose of a topic sentence.

Which option contains the best topic sentence?

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. The Civil war had lasting effects on the South.

  2. I am going to discuss the effects on the South of the Civil war.

  3. Since the Civil war was fought mostly in the South, it had lasting effects there.

  4. The Civil war effected the South of America.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The best topic sentence is Option C. A topic sentence depicts the overall idea of the paragraph in brief and here, in Option C, it depicts both the place and effect of the Civil war. Options A and D are incorrect as they provide information about the Civil war in parts but do not suit the purpose of a topic sentence. Option B is incorrect as it does not adhere to the format of paragraph writing.

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.

writing a paragraph writing english

  1. What do you prefer: oceans or lakes?

  2. Oceans and lakes have many similarities, but they also possess many differences.

  3. Both are ideal places to visit and enjoy during your vacations.

  4. Both are water bodies, but oceans are very large bodies of salt water, while lakes are much smaller bodies of fresh water.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The correct topic sentence is Option B. A topic sentence depicts the overall idea of the paragraph in brief and here Option B serves the purpose as the paragraph compares the lakes and oceans in various ways. Option A is incorrect as it introduces us to the paragraph but does not clearly mention the content in brief. Options C and D are incorrect as they only depict certain factors on which the lakes and oceans are compared and are a part of the paragraph but they do not suit the purpose of a topic sentence.