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Class 7 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.Put these sentences in order to make one good paragraph.

    • First, it is quiet enough to think in.
    • Best of all, nobody there ever hurries you.
    • The library is my favourite place in the school.
    • Second, it has shelves of books I could never afford to buy.
    • For all these reasons I go there whenever I can.

  2. 2.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) I read a book last night.
    • c) Reading helps us in more ways than one.
    • d) Books are made of paper.

  3. 3.Where does the topic sentence of a paragraph usually come?

    • a) At the beginning
    • b) It changes every time
    • c) At the end
    • d) In the middle

  4. 4.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.
    • The monsoon changes life in many ways.
    • 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.
    • Bicycles are a cheap way to travel.
    • They cost nothing to run and never need fuel.

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

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

  6. 6.Match each linking word to what it tells the reader is coming.

    • however
    • for example
    • therefore
    • in addition
    • finally
    • because
    • a result of what came before
    • a contrast with what came before
    • a reason
    • an example of the point just made
    • one more point of the same kind
    • the last point in a list

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

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

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

Answer key — Class 7 English — Writing a paragraph

  1. 1. 1. The library is my favourite place in the school. 2. First, it is quiet enough to think in. 3. Second, it has shelves of books I could never afford to buy. 4. Best of all, nobody there ever hurries you. 5. For all these reasons I go there whenever I can.
  2. 2. c) Reading helps us in more ways than one.
  3. 3. a) At the beginning
  4. 4. 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
  5. 5. 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.
  6. 6. however → a contrast with what came before; for example → an example of the point just made; therefore → a result of what came before; in addition → one more point of the same kind; finally → the last point in a list; because → a reason
  7. 7. topic
  8. 8. a) The first bicycle was built in Europe.