Paragraph Packet

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PARAGRAPH EXERCISES
I-A. Identifying Main Ideas and Topic Sentences
DIRECTIONS Look for the main idea in each of the following paragraphs. Remember that the main idea
is the overall point of the paragraph. (2 points each)
If the selection has a topic sentence, underline it.
If there is no topic sentence, write the main idea of the paragraph in your own words, using details
from the paragraph.
1. Many people know an orca when they see one. Orcas have distinct black-and-white markings that
make them easy to recognize. Commonly known as killer whales, they are a popular subject for
documentaries and feature films. Frequently, orcas are featured performers in aquatic shows. Perhaps no
other sea mammal is as familiar to people.
Main idea:
________________________________________________________
2. There are some common misconceptions about orcas. For one thing, they are not, as some people
think, the largest species of whale. The orca is merely the largest member of the dolphin family of whales.
Furthermore, many people think of orcas as solitary creatures, but they usually live in groups of up to fifty
animals.
Main idea:
________________________________________________________
3. Killer whales hunt in organized groups. Working together, a group of killer whales can herd prey
animals into shallow water, trapping them against the shore. Orcas speed and body shape are ideal for
hunting. Large, strong teeth and powerful jaw muscles help them seize large prey. Although they usually
feed on fish and squid, they have been known to hunt successfully animals as large as great whales.
Main idea:
________________________________________________________
4. Orcas were once called whale killers, but the name has somehow been transposed to killer whales.
Orcas are called killers not because of their behavior toward humans, but because of the way they treat
other ocean creatures. They are fierce, quick, and intelligent predators with huge appetites. Orcas will
hunt fish, squid, penguins, seals, whales, and other dolphins. Nonetheless, there are no records of an orca
killing a human.
Main idea:
________________________________________________________
I-B. Writing a Topic Sentence
DIRECTIONS For each of the following paragraphs, write a topic sentence that communicates the main
idea. (2 points each)
5. Frozen waterfalls are intensely beautiful. Climbing on such ice is like climbing on a diamond that
sparkles blue one minute and yellow the next. In addition, ice climbers get a breathtaking view of the
winter world below them. Ice climbers also enjoy the challenges of frozen waterfalls. All the challenges of
climbing an entire mountain can be encountered by scaling a single frozen waterfall.
Topic sentence:
____________________________________________________
Underlying content Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. Additions and changes to the underlying
content are the responsibility of the instructor.
6. Many experienced mountain and rock climbers shy away from this dramatic and dangerous sport.
Those who do attempt the sport of ice climbing tend to be well prepared. They must have the right boots,
gloves, spikes, and other equipment. While climbing, they are very slow and careful.
Topic sentence:
____________________________________________________
I-C. Collecting Supporting Details

DIRECTIONS When you write paragraphs, you have to collect details that support your main idea.
Practice with the following topic sentences. On the lines provided, list at least two details to support each
topic sentence. (2 points each)
7. If I could organize a field trip, I know just where we would go.
Details: _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
8. Here is a person whom I consider successful.
Details: _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
II. Identifying Sentences That Destroy Unity

DIRECTIONS Each of the following paragraphs has one sentence that destroys the unity. Cross out the
unrelated sentence.
1. The atmosphere on Venus is made up mostly of carbon dioxide and is heavier than the atmosphere
on any other known planet. The average atmospheric pressure on Venus is ninety times greater than the
average pressure on Earths surface. Venus is the second planet from the Sun. If you stood on the surface
of Venus, the amount of pressure on your body would be similar to the amount of pressure you would feel
if you stood more than half a mile underwater on Earth.
2. Venus also experiences extreme temperatures. Venus is named for the goddess of love. The upper
atmosphere goes from warm to extremely cold; it can vary from 25 degrees centigrade in the day to 150
degrees centigrade at night. The temperature increases, however, in the lower atmosphere. The planets
surface is unspeakably hot. It is hot enough to melt lead.
3. Venuss atmosphere is made up of thick clouds. Several layers of clouds surround the entire planet,
and the layers move at different rates. The planet was called Phosphorus. The upper cloud layers move
very rapidly, while the lower layers move more slowly. In fact, the upper clouds move about one hundred
times faster than the lowest clouds.
4. Venuss cloudy atmosphere and extreme temperatures are related. The clouds that cover the planet
reflect a lot of heat, so Venus absorbs less heat than Earth does. The heat that is absorbed is trapped and
intensified by the clouds, and the surface temperature climbs. Radar images suggest that Venus may have
sand dunes.
5. In the past, the dense cloud cover and turbulent atmosphere have made it difficult to see what the
surface of Venus looks like. Venus rotates once every 243 Earth days. Scientists have been able to explore
Venus, however. They have used spacecraft and radar to photograph and map the planets surface.
III. Identifying Transitional Words and Phrases

DIRECTIONS Underline all of the transitional words and phrases in the following paragraphs. (3 points
each)
1. Its going to storm, warned Grandmother, pointing to birds way up in the afternoon sky. Only a
few clouds were in sight, but I knew she was right. When a thunderstorm is forming, warm, moist air
flows upward. Consequently, flying insects are drawn up, too. Because the insects are higher, birds must
fly higher than usual to catch and eat them. As a result, the birds provide a sign that the atmosphere is
right for developing thunderstorms. The swallows we saw were flying so high that we could barely see
them. Grandmother and I therefore checked the TV weather forecast, and just as Grandmother thought,
rain was expected.
2. Do you think crayons are just for little kids? Think again. Just about everyone, from preschoolers to
professional artists, loves crayons. Crayons are so popular, in fact, that some clubs work to preserve their
history. In 1991, for example, these clubs protested when several old crayon colors were replaced with
new, updated colors. In addition to liking the colors themselves, people like the expressive names of some
crayons, such as purple pizzazz for purple. People are also crazy about the scent of crayons. For example,
their waxy smell is one of the top twenty scents recognized by adults. Clearly, crayons are not just for kids!
3. Add together a cloudless night, a group of campers, and several telescopes, and what do you have?
A star party, of course. Star parties take place at national parks, state campgrounds, and observatories
anywhere far from light sources such as cities. The night sky has to be very dark for the stars to show up
well. Before the party begins, a park ranger or astronomer explains which constellations or planets are
visible at that time of year. When darkness finally arrives, the Milky Way splashes its 200 billion stars
across the sky, and its time for the party to begin. Campers step up to telescopes and focus. Suddenly,
Saturns rings seem huge and bright. The moons craters look truly deep. When the stars begin to fade
around dawn, campers stumble into tents to sleep all day.

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I-C. Collecting Supporting Details

II. Identifying Sentences That Destroy Unity

III. Identifying Transitional Words and Phrases

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