A - Identifying topics and controlling ideas: Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea in the topic sentences below: 1. The painting Starry Night, by Van Gogh, is fascinating in many ways.
2. My first driving lesson was a disaster.
3. The process of getting a driver’s license has several steps. 4. My ability to speak English has changed my lifein several important
ways.
5. Some computer games involve the player in physical activity.
6. Cloudy weather affects certain people in negative ways. B - Predicting paragraphs from controlling ideas: Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea of each topic sentence below. Then with a partner, predict what the rest of the paragraph will discuss. 1. Immigrating to Australia from Oman was difficult for my parents. Prediction: A narrative about the writer’s parents’ journey from Oman to Australia.
2. Cell phones should not be allowed in classrooms for several reasons. Prediction: reasons for not allowing cell phones in classroom
3. The Moonlight Restaurant has the best seafood in town.
Prediction: A description of the seafood in the restaurant.
4. Training for the marathon is a complicated process.
Prediction: The steps of training for the marathon
5. Taking the TOEFL is a hardship for many students. Prediction: Why the TOEFL is difficult for student
C- Identifying effective topic sentences: One sentencein each of the followingpairs wouldmakea goodtopicsentence.The other sentencewouldmakeagoodsupportingdetail.WriteTSforthetopicsentenceandSDforthesupportingdetailsentence.
