Reading: Understanding Text Structure
B1 Lesson 1: Finding the Topic Sentence
Before You Read 🧠
Key Vocabulary
Understanding these terms is the first step to analyzing a text.
How to Find the Topic Sentence
A well-written paragraph is like a team with a leader. The Topic Sentence is the leader, and the Supporting Sentences are the team members who help explain the leader's idea.
Three Steps to Find the Leader
- Look for the most general sentence. The topic sentence makes a general point.
- Check if the other sentences support it. Do the other sentences give specific details, facts, or examples about that point?
- Tip: In many English paragraphs, the topic sentence is the first sentence.
Example Text Analysis
Let's analyze this paragraph about the river in Kampot.
The Praek Tuek Chhu river is vital to the daily life of Kampot town. Many local people work as fishermen, catching fish to sell at the market. The river is also used for agriculture, providing essential water for the fruit farms and rice paddies along its banks. Furthermore, it is a source of recreation, as residents and tourists enjoy swimming and taking boat trips at sunset.
Paragraph Analysis
- 👑 Topic Sentence (The Leader): The first sentence, "The Praek Tuek Chhu river is vital...", is the main idea. It's a big, general statement.
- 👥 Supporting Sentences (The Team): All the other sentences give specific examples of *why* the river is vital:
- Example 1: It provides fish for work.
- Example 2: It provides water for farms.
- Example 3: It provides recreation like swimming.
Practice What You Learned 🎯
Quiz: Find the Topic Sentence
Read this paragraph and then answer the question below.
"Learning English offers several significant advantages for young Cambodians. The most obvious benefit is the opportunity for better jobs, especially in the growing tourism sector in places like Kampot. Additionally, it allows for greater access to information online, as much of the internet is in English. Finally, knowing the language enables deeper cultural exchange with visitors from around the world."
Which sentence best states the Main Idea of the paragraph?
- A. It allows for greater access to information online.
- B. The tourism sector in Kampot is growing.
- C. Learning English offers several significant advantages for young Cambodians.
→ Answer: C. This is the topic sentence. It makes a general statement, and the rest of the paragraph gives specific examples of the advantages (jobs, information, cultural exchange).
Key Vocabulary Reference
- Topic Sentence The sentence in a paragraph that states the main idea. It is often the first sentence.
- Main Idea The author's central point or most important message in a paragraph.
- Supporting Sentence A sentence that gives facts, examples, or details to explain or prove the topic sentence.
- Paragraph Structure The way a paragraph is organized, usually with one topic sentence and several supporting sentences.
Your Reading Mission ⭐
Become a Structure Detective!
Find a short factual paragraph (3-5 sentences) in an English textbook or from a simple news website.
- Copy the paragraph into your notebook.
- Underline the one sentence that you believe is the Topic Sentence.
- Circle two specific Supporting Sentences that give examples or facts about the topic sentence.