• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Choosing the best topic sentence; Citing textual evidence). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. ___ Players need speed to reach the ball, stamina to last ninety minutes and the teamwork to pass accurately. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph? (I scored a goal last week. / Football was invented a long time ago. / Football demands a surprising mix of skills. / Some stadiums are huge.) → Football demands a surprising mix of skills.Prompt: Read the supporting sentences first. What do they ALL have in common?
2. Topic sentence: "Sleep is essential for learning." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (Some beds are more expensive than others. / Tired students find it harder to concentrate. / During sleep, the brain stores what we learned that day. / Teenagers need around eight to ten hours a night.) → Some beds are more expensive than others.Prompt: Reread the topic sentence. What is the paragraph promising to discuss?
3. ___ Many apps use bright notifications, endless scrolling and rewards to keep users coming back. Which topic sentence best opens this paragraph? (Notifications can be turned off in settings. / Phones have screens. / Many apps are deliberately designed to hold our attention. / Scrolling is a word for moving down a page.) → Many apps are deliberately designed to hold our attention.Prompt: Read the supporting sentences first. What do they ALL have in common?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Choosing the detail that best supports a point. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Point: "Our school canteen should offer more plant-based meals." Which detail best supports this point?
• Step 1: The best support is relevant (about the point) and specific (facts, figures, examples).
• Step 2: Survey evidence directly shows demand for the change.
• Step 3: So the answer is: In a canteen survey, 64% of students said they would choose a vegetarian option at least once a week.
• Answer: In a canteen survey, 64% of students said they would choose a vegetarian option at least once a week.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Point: "Reading for pleasure helps young people do better at school." Which detail best supports this point? (Some people prefer audiobooks. / Research has found that children who read for fun tend to make more progress in vocabulary and maths. / Libraries are quiet places. / Many books have colourful covers.) → Research has found that children who read for fun tend to make more progress in vocabulary and maths.Prompt: Which detail is directly about the point, not just the same topic?
2. Read the question and choose. Point: "Learning a second language has benefits." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Some languages use different alphabets. • Spanish has many speakers. • Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities. • My aunt went to Portugal. (Some languages use different alphabets. / Spanish has many speakers. / Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities. / My aunt went to Portugal.) → Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities.Prompt: Does the detail prove or illustrate the point, or is it just on the same topic?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Read the question and choose. Point: "Teenagers need more sleep than adults." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Some teenagers have bunk beds. • Many adults drink coffee. • Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. • Sleep is important for everyone. (Some teenagers have bunk beds. / Many adults drink coffee. / Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults. / Sleep is important for everyone.) → Health experts recommend 8–10 hours a night for teenagers but 7–9 for adults.Prompt: Does the detail prove or illustrate the point, or is it just on the same topic?
2. Point: "Reading for pleasure helps young people do better at school." Which detail best supports this point? (Many books have colourful covers. / Some people prefer audiobooks. / Libraries are quiet places. / Research has found that children who read for fun tend to make more progress in vocabulary and maths.) → Research has found that children who read for fun tend to make more progress in vocabulary and maths.Prompt: Which detail is directly about the point, not just the same topic?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-7.