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Year 5 English — Writing a short paragraph

Turn a few given points into a short paragraph that keeps to one topic and runs in a sensible order.

Name: ________________________

  1. 1.Where does a paragraph usually tell the reader what it is about?

    • a) In its last sentence
    • b) In the middle
    • c) In its first sentence
    • d) Nowhere — the reader guesses

  2. 2.Sort each sentence by the job it does in a paragraph about bicycles.

    Groups: Opens the paragraph · Gives a reason or a detail · Closes the paragraph

    • It can be parked almost anywhere.
    • A bicycle is the best way to get about a small town.
    • It costs nothing at all to run.
    • So it is no wonder that so many people ride one.

  3. 3.Put these sentences in order to make one short paragraph.

    • Finally, wait a week and watch for the first green shoot.
    • Next, press one seed into the middle of it.
    • Planting a seed is easy if you take it slowly.
    • First, fill a small pot with soft soil.
    • Then water the pot and stand it in the light.

  4. 4.Put these sentences in order to make one short paragraph.

    • First we saw the elephants being washed.
    • At the very end we were allowed to feed the ducks.
    • We came home tired and full of stories.
    • Our class went to the zoo last month.
    • The monkeys came next, and they stole each other's food.

  5. 5.Which sentence would open a paragraph about why the monsoon matters?

    • a) It rained on Tuesday afternoon.
    • b) The rains change life for everybody here.
    • c) My school is near the bus stop.
    • d) I have a yellow umbrella.

  6. 6.You are writing a paragraph about your school library. Sort each sentence by whether it belongs in it.

    Groups: Belongs · Does not belong

    • We may borrow two books at a time.
    • My uncle drives a blue car.
    • The match was cancelled because of rain.
    • It is the quietest room in the school.
    • I lost my water bottle on Tuesday.
    • The library has a whole shelf of story books.

  7. 7.One word, please. Which joining word would you put in front of the last point in a list — the one that brings it to an end?

  8. 8.A paragraph should be about how many topics? Write the number.

Answer key — Year 5 English — Writing a short paragraph

  1. 1. c) In its first sentence
  2. 2. A bicycle is the best way to get about a small town. → Opens the paragraph; It costs nothing at all to run. → Gives a reason or a detail; It can be parked almost anywhere. → Gives a reason or a detail; So it is no wonder that so many people ride one. → Closes the paragraph
  3. 3. 1. Planting a seed is easy if you take it slowly. 2. First, fill a small pot with soft soil. 3. Next, press one seed into the middle of it. 4. Then water the pot and stand it in the light. 5. Finally, wait a week and watch for the first green shoot.
  4. 4. 1. Our class went to the zoo last month. 2. First we saw the elephants being washed. 3. The monkeys came next, and they stole each other's food. 4. At the very end we were allowed to feed the ducks. 5. We came home tired and full of stories.
  5. 5. b) The rains change life for everybody here.
  6. 6. The library has a whole shelf of story books. → Belongs; It is the quietest room in the school. → Belongs; We may borrow two books at a time. → Belongs; My uncle drives a blue car. → Does not belong; The match was cancelled because of rain. → Does not belong; I lost my water bottle on Tuesday. → Does not belong
  7. 7.
    • finally
    • lastly
    • last of all
    • last
  8. 8.
    • 1
    • one