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Grade 5 English Language Arts — 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.Put these sentences in order to make one short paragraph.

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

  2. 2.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?

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

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

  4. 4.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.
    • So it is no wonder that so many people ride one.
    • It costs nothing at all to run.
    • A bicycle is the best way to get about a small town.

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

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

  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

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

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

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

  8. 8.Match each joining word to the job it does in a paragraph.

    • first
    • next
    • finally
    • because
    • but
    • turns to something different
    • adds the point that comes after
    • gives a reason
    • starts the list of points
    • brings the list to an end

Answer key — Grade 5 English Language Arts — Writing a short paragraph

  1. 1. 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.
  2. 2.
    • finally
    • lastly
    • last of all
    • last
  3. 3. d) In its first sentence
  4. 4. 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
  5. 5. d) 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 canceled because of rain. → Does not belong; I lost my water bottle on Tuesday. → Does not belong
  7. 7. 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.
  8. 8. first → starts the list of points; next → adds the point that comes after; finally → brings the list to an end; because → gives a reason; but → turns to something different