Paragraph structure

A clear paragraph usually has three parts. The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. The supporting sentences give details, reasons or examples that back it up. The concluding sentence wraps up the idea or links to what comes next. Sticking to one main idea per paragraph makes your writing much easier to follow.

Key terms

Topic sentence:

The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph.

Supporting sentence:

A sentence that gives detail, reasons or examples.

Concluding sentence:

The sentence that wraps up a paragraph.

Questions

1. 1. The topic sentence usually appears:

   • In the middle
   • At the start
   • At the very end
   • Nowhere specific

2. 2. A topic sentence states the:

   • Main idea of the paragraph
   • Last detail
   • Author's name
   • Page number

3. 3. Supporting sentences give:

   • Details and examples
   • A new main idea
   • The title
   • Nothing important

4. 4. A good paragraph usually focuses on:

   • One main idea
   • Five unrelated ideas
   • No idea at all
   • Only questions

5. 5. The concluding sentence:

   • Wraps up the paragraph
   • Starts a new topic randomly
   • Is always a question
   • Repeats the title

6. 6. Which comes first in a well-structured paragraph?

   • Concluding sentence
   • Supporting sentence
   • Topic sentence
   • None of these

7. 7. A paragraph is a group of sentences about:

   • One main idea
   • Every idea in the essay
   • Random topics
   • Just one word

8. 8. If a sentence doesn't relate to the topic sentence, it should:

   • Stay in the paragraph
   • Be removed or moved elsewhere
   • Become the new topic sentence
   • Be repeated

9. 9. Supporting sentences should:

   • Back up the topic sentence
   • Contradict the topic sentence
   • Be unrelated to the topic
   • Always be questions

10. 10. "It reduces rubbish sent to landfill" is an example of a:

    • Topic sentence
    • Supporting sentence
    • Title
    • Heading

11. 11. A paragraph with several unrelated ideas is hard to read because it:

    • Lacks a single clear focus
    • Is too short
    • Has too many full stops
    • Uses too many nouns

12. 12. Which sentence is most likely a topic sentence?

    • "For example, it reduces waste."
    • "Recycling helps the environment in several ways."
    • "In conclusion, recycle more."
    • "For instance, glass can be reused."

13. 13. A concluding sentence can also:

    • Link to the next paragraph
    • Introduce a brand new unrelated idea
    • Repeat the introduction word for word
    • Contain no information

14. 14. When starting a new main idea in an essay, you should:

    • Start a new paragraph
    • Keep writing in the same paragraph
    • Stop writing
    • Use only one word

15. 15. Read: "Dogs make great pets. They are loyal and enjoy time with their owners. However, my favourite colour is blue." Which sentence breaks the paragraph's focus?

    • "Dogs make great pets."
    • "They are loyal and enjoy time with their owners."
    • "However, my favourite colour is blue."
    • None of them

16. 16. A paragraph that lists three reasons should ideally have:

    • A topic sentence introducing the reasons, then one supporting sentence per reason
    • Three unrelated topic sentences
    • No topic sentence at all
    • Just the reasons with no structure

17. 17. Why is it useful to write a topic sentence before the supporting details?

    • It tells the reader what the paragraph will be about
    • It uses up space
    • It has no real purpose
    • It must always rhyme

18. 18. A concluding sentence that simply repeats the topic sentence word-for-word is usually considered:

    • Excellent writing
    • Weak, since it adds nothing new
    • Required in every paragraph
    • Illegal in essays

19. 19. If a paragraph has no clear topic sentence, the reader may:

    • Immediately know the main idea
    • Struggle to identify the main idea
    • Enjoy it more
    • Skip to the concluding sentence only

20. 20. Which is the best supporting sentence for the topic sentence "Exercise is important for teenagers"?

    • "My birthday is in July."
    • "Regular exercise improves both mood and sleep."
    • "Paris is the capital of France."
    • "I prefer chocolate to vanilla."

21. 21. A well-structured essay is made up of paragraphs that each:

    • Cover one clear idea and link logically to the next
    • Repeat the same idea over and over
    • Have no connection to each other
    • Contain exactly one sentence