1TOPIC SENTENCES EXERCISES

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1. Identify the topic sentences in the following paragraphs.

Adventure Tourism
Adventure tourism is a different way for tourists to see New Zealand. This type of
tourism uses the plentiful natural resources - mountains, rivers, lakes, wilderness areas
and historical sites to provide adventure, thrills and challenges which are low risk but
high in excitement. For example, the coastal areas in New Zealand are great for
canoeing and kayaking. White-water rafting is another popular water adventure
tour. However, if you would rather keep your feet on the ground, New Zealand has
over 100 developed walkways in addition to the tracks in the 12 National
Parks. Because more and more tourists are interested in learning about New Zealand
by doing exciting and unusual activities, adventure tourism will continue to grow.

2Time Management
. No matter how you slice it, there are only 24 hours in a day. To be successful at
university, students need to learn good time-management skills. The first skill is not
taking on more than you can handle. If you are a working part-time, have a family and
are involved in a community organisation, then taking a full course-load at university
will be too much. Another time management skill is reasonably estimating the time
required to perform each of the tasks at hand. For example, deeply reading a chapter
from a course text cannot be completed in between television programmes. Finally,
actually doing what needs to be done seems obvious, but is a very difficult skill. You
may find that cleaning out your wardrobe becomes vital when you are avoiding
study. Procrastination is a time manager's enemy. By learning time management skills
your university study will be successful and most importantly enjoyable.

3Have Heart
. The heart weighs about 11 ounces and is the size of a clenched fist. The heart of a man
performs at about 60 to 80 beats a minute. In a year it beats some 40 million times. At
each beat it takes in nearly a quarter of a pint of blood; in a single day it pumps 2,200
gallons of blood, and in the course of a single lifetime about 56 million gallons. Is
there any other engine capable of carrying on such heavy work over such a long period
of time without needing to be repaired? Obviously the human heart is a small yet
highly efficient piece of equipment.
 2. Read the following paragraphs carefully. Then select the most
appropriate topic sentence for each of the paragraphs from the choices
provided.
USEFUL TIP: The topic sentence is general and controls the paragraph. Think
about the type of questions the reader will develop in their minds as they read
the topic sentence.

1 Thousands of new people are born on our planet every day. The number of
inhabitants in the world has already reached over six billion. If the present growth
rate remains unchecked, the world may soon face wide-spread starvation, poverty,
and serious health problems. __________________________________ (topic
sentence).
Therefore, it is predicted that the world will face serious health problems in
the near future.
The rapid growth of the world's human population is the most important
problem the world needs to address.
One of the burning issues is the population explosion in third world
countries.

2
__________________________________ (topic sentence).
Arriving in the land below the Rio Grande River, the Spanish conquistador
Hernando Cortez was surprised to see the local inhabitants raising crops that
included avocados, corn, garlic and nuts. Onions, tomatoes, chilli peppers and
pumpkins were also grown in the rich soil. Irrigation systems were employed in
some of the drier regions. The Aztec farmers also were skilful in creating terraced
gardens to make the most of the rainfall and to minimise soil erosion. Evidence
shows that they employed crop rotation as well as natural fertilisers to enhance the
production of their farm products.
The Aztecs of Mexico were a nation of accomplished farmers.
Hernando Cortez discovered farming in Mexico.
Mexico is blessed with rich farmland and an abundance of food products.
 3. The topic sentence of each of the following paragraphs has been omitted. After
a careful reading, write your own topic sentence for each.

1. Factors in success at university

_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The most important factor is a student's past experience of study. If a student

has already developed good study habits, study at university should not be
difficult. Good study habits need to be complemented by interest and
motivation, factors which are important when competition gets tough. We
should however not underestimate the distracting effects of financial and
personal difficulties. All students have to grapple with these at some stage of
their university life. Beyond the personal factors it has to be said that there is
also a certain element of luck involved in success: this includes finding
excellent teachers and the subject matter that inspires one to give one's best.

2. Genetic engineering: no going back?

Animal breeding for particular features may soon become obsolete with
the new-found ability of scientists to work at the level of genes. On the
one hand there are those who embrace the new bio-technology: genetic
engineering. They argue that many genetic changes will be hugely
beneficial and harmless. As long as safeguards are in place, they claim,
humans would be foolish not to take advantage of the many benefits
genetic engineering has to offer. Others have seen the speed with which
gene manipulation can get out of hand, mixing species so that vegetable
and animal are no longer distinguishable. They want to wind the clock
back. But can they

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 4. In this exercise you are given topic sentences and two key points to
include to support the topic sentence. Suggest two further points for
each of the paragraphs.
USEFUL TIP: Think about the types of detail the reader would expect.
Try to address the questions readers are likely to develop in their minds
when reading the topic sentence.

1. There are many reasons why students panic during final exams.
The possible reasons are:

 not being prepared

 information overload

Your suggestions:

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______________________________________________________________________

2. New Zealand trade efforts have recently started to focus on South America as a new
destination for our export products.
Benefits of increased trade with South America are:

 growing, stable major economies provide increasing trading opportunities

 diverse trading opportunities throughout a huge region

Your suggestions:

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Exercises from: [Link]

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