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EXERCISE 3–2 Topic sentences

EXERCISE 3–2 Topic sentences

In each pair, click on the sentence that would work well as the topic sentence of the paragraph described. Click Save to save your work and return to it. Click Submit to see your score and item-by-item explanations; your activity will be recorded in your instructor's gradebook.

Example

1 of 5

For a paragraph in an essay about US murder convictions, which version would work well as a topic sentence?

Mumia Abu-Jamal was convicted of murdering a police officer in Philadelphia in 1981.

Mumia Abu-Jamal’s murder conviction shows that the US criminal justice system is not always fair and impartial.

EXERCISE 3–2 Topic sentences - 1 of 5: For a paragraph in an essay about US murder convictions, which version would work well as a topic sentence?

2 of 5

For a paragraph in a paper on the benefits of recycling, which version would work better as a topic sentence?

Broken and obsolete computers must be recycled so that they don’t end up in landfills, where they can leak toxic substances into the soil.

Many offices update their computer hardware regularly, so they generate hazardous waste.

EXERCISE 3–2 Topic sentences - 2 of 5: For a paragraph in a paper on the benefits of recycling, which version would work better as a topic sentence?

3 of 5

In a paper on the benefits cell phones have brought to developing countries, which version would work better as the topic sentence of a paragraph?

Cellular telephones are dramatically improving lives in developing countries.

In India, fishers and farmers living in areas without phone lines are using cellular telephones to market their products.

EXERCISE 3–2 Topic sentences - 3 of 5: In a paper on the benefits cell phones have brought to developing countries, which version would work better as the topic sentence of a paragraph?

4 of 5

In a paper surveying scientific studies on weight loss, which version would work better as the topic sentence of a paragraph?

A recent study suggests that eating the same thing every day can help people lose weight.

Would you believe that eating boring food can help you lose weight?

EXERCISE 3–2 Topic sentences - 4 of 5: In a paper surveying scientific studies on weight loss, which version would work better as the topic sentence of a paragraph?

5 of 5

In a paper on commuting patterns in the United States, which version would work well as the topic sentence of a paragraph?

The 2000 census figures indicate that Americans are willing to accept a commute of an hour or more if moving to a distant area means that they can afford a larger house.

According to 2000 census figures, the average amount of time an American spends commuting to work is twenty-four minutes.

EXERCISE 3–2 Topic sentences - 5 of 5: In a paper on commuting patterns in the United States, which version would work well as the topic sentence of a paragraph?