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Choosing the best topic sentence

6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 16 questions · Common Core: W.6.2.A, W.6.1.A · England: KS3 Writing (paragraphing), GCSE English Language Paper 2 Q5

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Date

Score/ 16

  1. Question 1

    Topic sentence: "The school should open a games club at lunchtime." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    • A. Chess was probably invented in India.
    • B. It would give quieter students somewhere to go.
    • C. Several teachers have already offered to help.
    • D. Board games build problem-solving skills.

The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment

For one month, students at Brookfield School tried something unusual: no phones at lunch. Phones stayed in lockers from twelve until one, and the dining hall filled with board games, sketchbooks and a lot more noise. The idea came from the student council. In a survey, 61 per cent of students said they spent most of lunch looking at a screen, and many said they wanted a break but found it hard to stop on their own. At first, not everyone was happy. "I thought it was a punishment," admitted Jaden, 12. "But after a week I'd learned to play chess, and now I actually look forward to lunch." Teachers noticed changes too. Ms Ortega, who supervises the hall, said there were fewer arguments and more students sitting in mixed groups. However, some students said they missed messaging family members during the day. The council will now vote on whether to keep the rule. One suggestion is a compromise: phone-free Mondays to Thursdays, with Fridays left free.

  1. Question 2

    Read "The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment". Why does the writer include the sentence beginning 'However' in paragraph 4?

    • A. to prove the rule was a total success
    • B. to tell a joke
    • C. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report
    • D. to introduce a new topic

  1. Question 3

    ___ Volunteers collected 300 kilograms of rubbish, planted wildflowers and built two benches from recycled plastic. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph?

    • A. Wildflowers are colourful.
    • B. Rubbish is bad.
    • C. Last weekend's clean-up transformed the riverside park.
    • D. Benches can be made of wood.

  2. Question 4

    Topic sentence: "The school should open a games club at lunchtime." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    • A. Several teachers have already offered to help.
    • B. It would give quieter students somewhere to go.
    • C. Chess was probably invented in India.
    • D. Board games build problem-solving skills.

The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment

For one month, students at Brookfield School tried something unusual: no phones at lunch. Phones stayed in lockers from twelve until one, and the dining hall filled with board games, sketchbooks and a lot more noise. The idea came from the student council. In a survey, 61 per cent of students said they spent most of lunch looking at a screen, and many said they wanted a break but found it hard to stop on their own. At first, not everyone was happy. "I thought it was a punishment," admitted Jaden, 12. "But after a week I'd learned to play chess, and now I actually look forward to lunch." Teachers noticed changes too. Ms Ortega, who supervises the hall, said there were fewer arguments and more students sitting in mixed groups. However, some students said they missed messaging family members during the day. The council will now vote on whether to keep the rule. One suggestion is a compromise: phone-free Mondays to Thursdays, with Fridays left free.

  1. Question 5

    Read "The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment". Why does the writer include the sentence beginning 'However' in paragraph 4?

    • A. to introduce a new topic
    • B. to tell a joke
    • C. to prove the rule was a total success
    • D. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report

  1. Question 6

    ___ Some wear school-branded hoodies, others prefer plain jumpers, and a few would happily scrap uniform altogether. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph?

    • A. Jumpers can be washed easily.
    • B. Students have very different views about school uniform.
    • C. Hoodies are warm.
    • D. Uniforms come in many colours.

  2. Question 7

    Topic sentence: "Sleep is essential for learning." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    • A. Teenagers need around eight to ten hours a night.
    • B. During sleep, the brain stores what we learned that day.
    • C. Some beds are more expensive than others.
    • D. Tired students find it harder to concentrate.

The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment

For one month, students at Brookfield School tried something unusual: no phones at lunch. Phones stayed in lockers from twelve until one, and the dining hall filled with board games, sketchbooks and a lot more noise. The idea came from the student council. In a survey, 61 per cent of students said they spent most of lunch looking at a screen, and many said they wanted a break but found it hard to stop on their own. At first, not everyone was happy. "I thought it was a punishment," admitted Jaden, 12. "But after a week I'd learned to play chess, and now I actually look forward to lunch." Teachers noticed changes too. Ms Ortega, who supervises the hall, said there were fewer arguments and more students sitting in mixed groups. However, some students said they missed messaging family members during the day. The council will now vote on whether to keep the rule. One suggestion is a compromise: phone-free Mondays to Thursdays, with Fridays left free.

  1. Question 8

    Read "The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment". Why does the writer include the sentence beginning 'However' in paragraph 4?

    • A. to introduce a new topic
    • B. to tell a joke
    • C. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report
    • D. to prove the rule was a total success

  1. Question 9

    ___ Walking or cycling saves money, keeps you fit and reduces traffic outside the school gates. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph?

    • A. Bicycles have two wheels.
    • B. Some people live far away.
    • C. There are good reasons to walk or cycle to school.
    • D. Traffic is sometimes heavy.

  2. Question 10

    Topic sentence: "The school should open a games club at lunchtime." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    • A. Board games build problem-solving skills.
    • B. Chess was probably invented in India.
    • C. It would give quieter students somewhere to go.
    • D. Several teachers have already offered to help.

The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment

For one month, students at Brookfield School tried something unusual: no phones at lunch. Phones stayed in lockers from twelve until one, and the dining hall filled with board games, sketchbooks and a lot more noise. The idea came from the student council. In a survey, 61 per cent of students said they spent most of lunch looking at a screen, and many said they wanted a break but found it hard to stop on their own. At first, not everyone was happy. "I thought it was a punishment," admitted Jaden, 12. "But after a week I'd learned to play chess, and now I actually look forward to lunch." Teachers noticed changes too. Ms Ortega, who supervises the hall, said there were fewer arguments and more students sitting in mixed groups. However, some students said they missed messaging family members during the day. The council will now vote on whether to keep the rule. One suggestion is a compromise: phone-free Mondays to Thursdays, with Fridays left free.

  1. Question 11

    Read "The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment". Why does the writer include the sentence beginning 'However' in paragraph 4?

    • A. to prove the rule was a total success
    • B. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report
    • C. to tell a joke
    • D. to introduce a new topic

  1. Question 12

    ___ Many apps use bright notifications, endless scrolling and rewards to keep users coming back. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph?

    • A. Scrolling is a word for moving down a page.
    • B. Many apps are deliberately designed to hold our attention.
    • C. Notifications can be turned off in settings.
    • D. Phones have screens.

  2. Question 13

    Topic sentence: "Video calls helped many families stay close while living far apart." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    • A. Grandparents could see grandchildren every week.
    • B. The first telephone call was made in 1876.
    • C. Cousins in different countries played games together online.
    • D. Families shared birthdays on screen.

The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment

For one month, students at Brookfield School tried something unusual: no phones at lunch. Phones stayed in lockers from twelve until one, and the dining hall filled with board games, sketchbooks and a lot more noise. The idea came from the student council. In a survey, 61 per cent of students said they spent most of lunch looking at a screen, and many said they wanted a break but found it hard to stop on their own. At first, not everyone was happy. "I thought it was a punishment," admitted Jaden, 12. "But after a week I'd learned to play chess, and now I actually look forward to lunch." Teachers noticed changes too. Ms Ortega, who supervises the hall, said there were fewer arguments and more students sitting in mixed groups. However, some students said they missed messaging family members during the day. The council will now vote on whether to keep the rule. One suggestion is a compromise: phone-free Mondays to Thursdays, with Fridays left free.

  1. Question 14

    Read "The Phone-Free Lunch Experiment". Why does the writer include the sentence beginning 'However' in paragraph 4?

    • A. to tell a joke
    • B. to introduce a new topic
    • C. to prove the rule was a total success
    • D. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report

  1. Question 15

    ___ Octopuses can open jars, escape from tanks and even recognise individual people. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph?

    • A. Octopuses have eight arms.
    • B. Octopuses are among the cleverest animals in the sea.
    • C. The sea is very deep.
    • D. Jars can be hard to open.

  2. Question 16

    Topic sentence: "Sleep is essential for learning." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    • A. During sleep, the brain stores what we learned that day.
    • B. Teenagers need around eight to ten hours a night.
    • C. Tired students find it harder to concentrate.
    • D. Some beds are more expensive than others.

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Answer key: Choosing the best topic sentence

  1. 1. A. Chess was probably invented in India.

  2. 2. C. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report

  3. 3. C. Last weekend's clean-up transformed the riverside park.

  4. 4. C. Chess was probably invented in India.

  5. 5. D. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report

  6. 6. B. Students have very different views about school uniform.

  7. 7. C. Some beds are more expensive than others.

  8. 8. C. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report

  9. 9. C. There are good reasons to walk or cycle to school.

  10. 10. B. Chess was probably invented in India.

  11. 11. B. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report

  12. 12. B. Many apps are deliberately designed to hold our attention.

  13. 13. B. The first telephone call was made in 1876.

  14. 14. D. to show a drawback of the rule, giving a balanced report

  15. 15. B. Octopuses are among the cleverest animals in the sea.

  16. 16. D. Some beds are more expensive than others.