• 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? (Some stadiums are huge. / Football was invented a long time ago. / Football demands a surprising mix of skills. / I scored a goal last week.) → Football demands a surprising mix of skills.Prompt: Read the supporting sentences first. What do they ALL have in common?
2. Topic sentence: "The school should open a games club at lunchtime." Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph? (Several teachers have already offered to help. / Board games build problem-solving skills. / Chess was probably invented in India. / It would give quieter students somewhere to go.) → Chess was probably invented in India.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? (Many apps are deliberately designed to hold our attention. / Phones have screens. / Notifications can be turned off in settings. / 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: "Dogs can be trained to help people with medical conditions." Which detail best supports this point? (My neighbour's dog barks at the postman. / Some trained dogs can alert their owners to a dangerous drop in blood sugar before symptoms start. / Dogs were domesticated thousands of years ago. / Dogs come in hundreds of breeds.) → Some trained dogs can alert their owners to a dangerous drop in blood sugar before symptoms start.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. • Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities. • Spanish has many speakers. • My aunt went to Portugal. (Some languages use different alphabets. / Speaking two languages can open up more job opportunities. / Spanish has many speakers. / 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 8 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. Point: "The town needs a pedestrian crossing outside the primary school." Which detail best supports this point? (Many parents drive cars. / The road is called Station Road. / There have been four near-misses involving children at that spot this year, according to the police. / The school was built in 1962.) → There have been four near-misses involving children at that spot this year, according to the police.Prompt: Which detail is directly about the point, not just the same topic?
2. Read the question and choose. Point: "The park needs more bins." Which detail is MOST relevant? • Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month. • The park opened in 1901. • Many people walk their dogs there. • The park has a duck pond. (Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month. / The park opened in 1901. / Many people walk their dogs there. / The park has a duck pond.) → Volunteers collected 30 bags of litter there last month.Prompt: Does the detail prove or illustrate the point, or is it just on the same topic?

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