Topic sentences

In each pair, click on the sentence that would work well as the topic sentence of the paragraph described.

For help with this exercise, see Topic sentences.

Example

1 of 5

Question

undefined. 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.
Topic sentences – 1

2 of 5

Question

undefined. 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.
Topic sentences – 2

3 of 5

Question

undefined. 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.
Topic sentences – 3

4 of 5

Question

undefined. 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?
Topic sentences – 4

5 of 5

Question

undefined. 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.
Topic sentences – 5