Body Paragraphs

Choosing a Topic Sentence In this worksheet, there are FOURmultiple choice questions that require students to read a paragraph and then choose the BEST topic sentence to start the paragraph. The topic sentence chosen should express the MAIN IDEA presented in the paragraph (pay close attention to CDs and CMs). If more than one answer looks correct, choose the answer with the best wording and sentence structure. Read the paragraph. Then select the BEST topic sentence to start the paragraph.Many people go skiing every weekend in the winter even though it is expensive. They love the feeling of flying down a mountain, and they enjoy the beautiful views from the top of a mountain and along the trails. Even the danger of falling and getting hurt can’t keep some individuals away from the slopes on a winter day. Skiing is expensive and not an enjoyable experience for people. Skiing is a favorite winter sport for many people. Skiing is a dangerous sport that deters people from the dangerous views. Skiing is a sport that should only be done by professionals. Read the paragraph. Then select the BEST topic sentence to start the paragraph.Johnny has to spend twice as long on his math homework. Sometimes he gets the numbers mixed up, and he can't remember the formulas. He has to study and practice a lot to get good grades in math. Johnny has a difficult time in school. The fax machine was an important invention. Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller. The world population has greatly increased. Read the paragraph. Then select the BEST topic sentence to start the paragraph.Most people already know they should eat fruits and vegetables to stay healthy. It is also important to get exercise. It is equally important to get enough sleep at night. Being healthy requires a lot of work. There are many things a person should do to stay healthy. Eating right is the best way to stay healthy. It is good to be healthy. Read the paragraph. Then select the BEST topic sentence to start the paragraph.Reading helps people do well in school and their jobs. It is also a way to learn new things about our interests. Some people read to escape to different worlds. There are many good things that can come from reading. Some people like to read. Reading is only good if you want to do well in school. It is good to read a lot. Fact vs. Opinion Sorting Below is a list of sentences. Determine whether each sentence is a fact or opinion sentence by clicking on each sentence and choosing "Fact" or "Opinion". After making a choice, the sentence will move from the sentence bank to the chosen topic list.Remember, a fact is true no matter what you think or how you feel. Facts are true all of the time. An opinion is what someone thinks or feels about something. It shows personal preference. Opinions can be true for some people, but untrue for others. Fact Although Mary Shelley published Frankenstein anonymously, her husband Percy Shelley wrote the introduction. Race car driver Mario Andretti won the Daytona 500, Indy 500, and Formula One titles during his career. The Phantom of the Opera became the longest running show in Broadway history on January 9, 2006. The cheetah is the fastest land mammal in the world, followed by the pronghorn. Hans Christian Andersen produced many fairy tales, including “The Little Mermaid” and “The Ugly Duckling,” during his literary career. More people visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2014 than visited Yosemite and Yellowstone combined. Katherine Graham was the first female CEO of a Fortune 500 company. Harry Houdini, born Erich Weisz, used “Houdini” as his stage name to pay homage to famous French magician Robert Houdin. Diamond Head crater in Hawaii attracts about 900,000 visitors annually. Opinion It is unfortunate that Mary Shelley could not publish Frankenstein under her own name. Mario Andretti, the only person named Driver of the Year in three different decades, is a great role model for young people interested in auto racing. The Phantom of the Opera has the perfect mix of singing, acting, and dancing. Pronghorns are animals that look similar to deer, only cuter. Hans Christian Andersen’s version of “The Little Mermaid” is not as poignant as modern retelling of the story. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is fantastic because it has150 official hiking trails. Katherine Graham deserved to win a Pulitzer Prize in 1998. Harry Houdini was a mediocre magician, but many people considered him to be a skilled escape artist. The hour-long hike up Diamond Head crater is too too strenuous. Paragraph Sort When in the correct order, the five sentences form a paragraph that includes one topic sentence, two concrete details, one commentary sentence, and one closing sentence. Sort each sentence according to type of sentence by clicking on each sentence and choosing the correct label. Look for transition words that commonly start concrete details (e.g., for example, etc.) and look for words that signal the sentence is a commentary sentence (e.g., portrays, emphasizes, etc.). Not every CD will have a transition word. Topic Sentence Although it's easy to run away from challenges people fear, those with courage run toward them instead. Concrete Details For instance, in The Hunger Games, Katniss and Peeta must fight to survive in an arena against other humans and terrifying monsters until one one person is left standing to win the game. Through their fear, Katniss and Peeta worked together to defeat their opponents and even found a way both of them could come out alive. Commentary Even though Katniss and Peeta faced injury and death, they found the courage to push forward and conquer their fears. Closing Sentence Bravery during challenging times leads to success.