Show:
What's the Topic?
Identify the Topic Sentence
Irrelevant Supporting Details
100
Having friends and being a good friend can sometimes be work.
What is: Is it easy being a friend?
100
The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana. We drove there in two days. I didn’t think it would be very interesting, but I was wrong. We saw the Mississippi River, rode a horse carriage in the French Quarter, and visited a cemetery where everyone was buried above the ground. I liked the food best, especially the New Orleans doughnuts called beignets
What is: The best trip my family ever took was to New Orleans, Louisiana.
100
Based on the topic sentence: My dog Otis is not very bright. Which of the following supporting sentences is irrelevant? a. He gets along very well with my neighbor’s cat. b. I often have to put food in front of him because he can’t find it by himself. c. He often attacks the backyard hedge as if it’s a hostile animal. d. He’s five years old and doesn’t respond to his name yet.
What is: a. He gets along very well with my neighbor’s cat.
200
Reading is the most important subject in school because reading is necessary in order to learn all the other subjects.
What is the most important subject in school?
200
No one likes to eat with a dirty knife, fork, or spoon. It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them. Clean utensils won’t transmit germs and bacteria. They also are more pleasant to eat with.
What is: It is important to completely wash all utensils before using them.
200
Based on the topic sentence: Schools should eliminate the summer vacation. Which one of the supporting sentences is irrelevant? a. It costs too much money for school buildings to remain empty in the summer months. b. During summer classes, schools should be air-conditioned. c. Year-round school can better prepare students for year-round work in the adult world. d. Students will learn more and forget less if they attend school twelve months a year.
What is: b. During summer classes, schools should be air-conditioned.
300
You can save water by turning off the faucet when you brush your teeth, fixing any leaks in the pipes, and taking a shower instead of a bath
What are ways to save water?
300
Many people think poetry is old-fashioned and uninteresting. They don’t realize that every time they hear a song sung, they are hearing poetry in the form of song lyrics. Just like many written poems, many song lyrics use rhythm, rhyme, and literary imagery. It turns out that poetry isn’t old-fashioned; it’s as modern as the latest hit song!
What is: It turns out that poetry isn’t old-fashioned; it’s as modern as the latest hit song!
300
Based on the topic sentence: Some people have very poor telephone manners. Which of the following supporting sentences is irrelevant? a. They never identify themselves, but just begin the conversation. b. They conduct conversations with people around them at the same time they’re talking on the phone. c. They often call around 6 p.m., which is most people’s dinner hour. d. They often make their calls on cordless phones.
What is: d. They often make their calls on cordless phones.
400
A pet can teach you responsibility, give you love, and be there when you need a friend.
What are the advantages of owning a pet?
400
Growing a garden can be fun, good exercise, and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the gardener. It is interesting to watch the seeds pop their heads above the soil for the first time. It is sometimes hard to believe that a little seed can become a large vine or plant in just a few weeks. Planting the seeds and pulling weeds are good exercise for anyone. Then, after watching the plant grow and produce, the gardener ends up with delicious tomatoes, beans, or other yummy produce from the garden.
What is: Growing a garden can be fun, good exercise, and will provide fresh fruits and vegetables for the gardener.
400
Based on the topic sentence: My father’s boss is an unpleasant man to work for. Which of the following supporting details is irrelevant? a. He once accumulated so many parking tickets that the police actually came to his home to arrest him. b. He barks orders and never asks for an employee’s opinion. c. Even when he invites employees out to lunch, he expects them to pick up their own checks. d. He changes his mind so often that an employee who pleased him on Friday can be in the doghouse by Monday.
What is: a. He once accumulated so many parking tickets that the police actually came to his home to arrest him.
500
Cell phones should be turned off during class time because if they ring, they can distract all the students in the class.
Should students be allowed to have cell phones in class?
500
Sometimes it is hard to fall asleep. Maybe you are not sleepy, or maybe you are thinking about what happened during the day. You can also lie awake if a big event, like a test or a party, is happening the next day. There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep. You can try counting sheep, or just counting, which will keep your mind busy with a repetitious activity. Sometimes listening to soft music or gentle sounds, like rain, helps. You can even try telling yourself a story, which may distract your mind enough that you will be asleep in no time.
What is: There are several things you can do to try and fall asleep.