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Year 8 English — Writing a paragraph

Build a paragraph from a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a closing sentence, and keep everything in it about one idea.

Name: ________________________

Before you start

A finished paragraph, drawn as the sentences it is built from. Find out what job each sentence is doing.

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  1. 1. The topic sentence, opening the idea
  2. 2. A supporting sentence — a reason
  3. 3. A supporting sentence — an example
  4. 4. A supporting sentence — a detail
  5. 5. The closing sentence, tying it off

The first and last sentences do a different job from the three in between: one opens the idea and one looks back over it, while the middle three are the only ones carrying anything new.

  1. 1.Sort each sentence by the job it does in its paragraph.

    Groups: Topic sentence · Supporting sentence · Closing sentence

    • In all these ways the monsoon shapes the whole year.
    • Bicycles are a cheap way to travel.
    • They cost nothing to run and never need fuel.
    • Rivers that were almost dry fill up again.
    • Farmers begin sowing as soon as the first rain falls.
    • So it is no wonder that so many people ride them.
    • The monsoon changes life in many ways.

  2. 2.A paragraph is linked so that each sentence leads naturally into the next. What is that quality called?

    • a) Unity
    • b) Repetition
    • c) Coherence
    • d) Contrast

  3. 3.Which sentence does NOT belong in a paragraph about how honey is made?

    • a) The first bicycle was built in Europe.
    • b) Bees collect nectar from flowers.
    • c) Inside the hive the nectar slowly turns into honey.
    • d) They carry the nectar back to the hive.

  4. 4.Which sentence would make the best topic sentence for a paragraph about why reading is useful?

    • a) My favourite book is about a dog.
    • b) Books are made of paper.
    • c) Reading helps us in more ways than one.
    • d) I read a book last night.

  5. 5.Which would make the best closing sentence for a paragraph about the uses of bamboo?

    • a) So bamboo is one of the most useful plants we have.
    • b) Bamboo is a kind of grass.
    • c) Bamboo grows very fast.
    • d) My grandfather has a bamboo walking stick.

  6. 6.Put these sentences in order to make one good paragraph.

    • First, boil some water in a pan.
    • Then pour in milk and sugar and stir.
    • Next, add the tea leaves and let them brew.
    • Making tea is easy if you follow four steps.
    • Finally, strain the tea into a cup and drink it.

  7. 7.Write one word: A paragraph that sticks to one idea and lets nothing else in is said to have ____.

  8. 8.Write one word: The sentence that tells the reader what the whole paragraph is about is called the ____ sentence.

Answer key — Year 8 English — Writing a paragraph

  1. 1. The monsoon changes life in many ways. → Topic sentence; Farmers begin sowing as soon as the first rain falls. → Supporting sentence; Rivers that were almost dry fill up again. → Supporting sentence; In all these ways the monsoon shapes the whole year. → Closing sentence; Bicycles are a cheap way to travel. → Topic sentence; They cost nothing to run and never need fuel. → Supporting sentence; So it is no wonder that so many people ride them. → Closing sentence
  2. 2. c) Coherence
  3. 3. a) The first bicycle was built in Europe.
  4. 4. c) Reading helps us in more ways than one.
  5. 5. a) So bamboo is one of the most useful plants we have.
  6. 6. 1. Making tea is easy if you follow four steps. 2. First, boil some water in a pan. 3. Next, add the tea leaves and let them brew. 4. Then pour in milk and sugar and stir. 5. Finally, strain the tea into a cup and drink it.
  7. 7. unity
  8. 8. topic