IXL | Choose topic sentences for narrative paragraphs

Read the paragraph. Then, add the better topic sentence.

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We got to see our favorite team play. Everyone in my family ate peanuts right out of their shells. And my brother almost caught a baseball that flew into the crowd. Best of all, my dad got to meet his favorite player.

My family had a great time at the baseball game.

In my family, we like to eat peanuts out of the shell.

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Learn with an example

question

Read the paragraph. Then, add the better topic sentence.

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The snake was dark gray with a large head. Its red tongue had a black tip. And there were three blue stripes that ran down its long body. My stepfather said it was a blue-striped garter snake. That's a good name for it.

I'm scared of snakes.

I saw a snake in our backyard yesterday.

key idea

Many paragraphs begin with a topic sentence. A topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about.

For example, maybe your paragraph is about the first time you went skating. This would be a good topic sentence:

green checkmark, My first time skating was scary but fun.

Your topic sentence should not be too broad. "Too broad" means that the sentence doesn't tell you exactly what the paragraph is about. It doesn't give enough detail.

red X symbol, Skating is a fun sport.

Your topic sentence should not be too narrow. "Too narrow" means that the sentence tells only about a detail.

red X symbol, I needed help getting my skates on.

Your topic sentence should not be off topic. "Off topic" means that the sentence doesn't match the paragraph well. It tells about something else.

red X symbol, A lot of my friends like to go skating.

solution

The paragraph is about seeing a snake. So, this is the better topic sentence:

green checkmark, I saw a snake in our backyard yesterday.

This sentence is off topic:

red X symbol, I'm scared of snakes.

The paragraph does not talk about someone being afraid.

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FF.1Select the detail that does not support the topic sentence

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