EXERCISE 1-1

Identifying categories which limit topic sentences:

1. Soccer has become increasingly popular (aspect) in the United

States (place) in the last ten years. (time)

2. Team sports develop an athlete’s sense of fair play (aspect).

3. Libraries have three basic kinds (number) of materials.

4. Women are paid less for equal work than men in certain
companies (difference).

5. Pollution has caused (cause) three major problems (number) in our

town (place) in the last five years (time).

6. Air travel is more convenient (difference) than train travel for at

least (number) three reasons (cause).
 EXERCISE 1-2

Guided practice in limiting general topics:

1. Topic: John F. Kennedy (aspect) (place)

John F. Kennedy was the first Catholic (aspect) president elected in
the United States (place).

2. Topic: Registration at a large university (aspect) (different)

Registration at a large university is much more difficult as smaller
ones.

3. Topic: Shopping for food (place) (aspect) (difference)

Millennium’s (place) food court is cheaper than park towers.

4. Topic: Smoking (effect)

Smoking has hazardous effects (effect) on health.

5. Topic: American food (difference)

American food is spicier than (difference) Mexican food.
 EXERCISE 1-3

Limiting general topics:

Topic: soccer

1. There are many (number) reasons (reason) for soccer’s increased

popularity (aspect) in the United States (place).

2. Latin Americans (place) generally prefer soccer (difference) to

football.

Topic: the role of women

1. The role of women in the creation of Pakistan (place) is appreciated

(aspect) by every person in the world (place).

2. The role of women in building child’s character (aspect) is much

important (difference) than that of man.

Topic: religion in modern society

1. The religion in modern society is difficult to be observed by religious

people (aspect).

2. The religion in modern society is somewhat different than

(difference) what it actually should be.
Topic: war

1. War of 1965 (time) creates (effect) many problems (number) for

people in Pakistan (place).

2. Because of the (reason) war in Iraq (place), large number (number) of

Iraqi’s migrated to other countries (place).

Topic: problem between generations;

1. Generation problem is the hottest topic (aspect) to be discussed on

every T.V channel.

2. Generation problems are one of the major causes (aspect) for bad
circumstances in Pakistan (place).

Topic: crime

1. The crime rate in the world (place) is increasing because of poverty

(reason).

2. The crime in Pakistan (place) today (time) are even committed by

small children (aspect).
 EXERCISE 1-4

Limiting the same general topic:

Topic: foreign students in the United States

1. Presence of foreign students in institute of United States (place) has

increased the competition.

2. Foreign students are much (difference) hard worker (aspect) than

local American Students.

3. Foreign students in America are in huge number than in any country

(difference).

4. Foreign students are very talented (aspect).

5. Foreign students serve their nation after completing their education

(effect).
 EXERCISE 1-5

(1)
Ever since the time of the Greeks, drama has played an important role in
men’s lives. The Greek tragedies and comedies were a central part of the
citizens of ancient Greece. During the middle ages, Bible stories were
acted out in churches, and wandering companies of players performed in
the streets. William Shakespeare lived during the Elizabeth ax period.
The English language has changed somewhat since Shakespeare’s time.
In modern times, drama is brought directly into people’s homes through
the magic of television. Television also offers people such things as quiz
and variety shows

(2)

Innovations, whether practical or aesthetic, are often resisted by the

general population. When the early experiments in the field of aviation
began their work, there were many who said, “If God had wanted man to
fly, he would have given him wings. The Wright brothers made the first
powered flights in a heavier-than-air craft in 1903 at Kitty hawk, North
Carolina. Even today there are many who strongly object to modern art
and music as being nothing more than “splashes of paint and honking
horns”. The painter Picasso’s well known masterpiece “the three
musicians” is done primarily in blues and browns.
(3)

Zoos are popular with all children. They are able to see examples of
wildlife from all continents. In wildlife preserves in Africa, the animals
wander about freely without fear of being captured. Perhaps the favorite
spot in a zoo is the elephant cage. There the elephants entertain the
children by spraying themselves with their trunks and doing various
tricks. The children are especially delighted when an elephant takes
peanuts from them with his trunk.

(4)

Editorials differ from other kinds of news stories. In most regular

stories, it is assumed that no personal opinions are being represented.
Newspaper writers are supposed to present the facts of each story in a
straight forward, unbiased fashion. Statistics reveals that over sixty one
million newspapers are sold everyday in this country. The purpose of the
editorial page is to allow the editors to give their personal opinions. Here
is where they tell readers what they think about an issue who is at fault,
who has done a good job, or how a situation could be improved. It is no
wonder, then, that Thomas Jefferson was once led to remark that he could
more easily accept newspaper without, government than government
without newspapers.
(5)

In order to find a suitable apartment, you must follow a very

systematic approach. First you must decide which neighbor would be
most convenient for you. Then you must determine how much rent your
budget will allow. Utility bills for houses average between $100 and
$150 per month. Your next step is to check the classified ads in the
newspaper. If you do not plan to buy furniture you should check under
“apartment for rent furnished.” In either case, however, be sure to check
these ads regularly, since new listing appears each day. After you have
telephoned the apartments which seen likely choices, you must begin
your long journey to inspect each one of them.
 EXERCISE 1-6

Identify suitable topic sentence:

Q) Select the most suitable topic sentence from three choices following it:

1) The operation of both _________________ this constitutes the output.

Choose a Topic Sentence:

Both the computer and the telephone are helpful inventions.
Computer terminology, as input, and output, is frequently used in texts.
C- Despite apparent differences, the operations of the
computer and the telephone have much in common.

Defend your choice:

1- I did not choose A because it is too general.
2- I did not choose B because it is too specific.

2) The jack is portable ________________ should he have a flat tire.

Choose a topic sentence:

Flat tires constitute a serious problem for motorists.
How to change a flat tire.
C- Only two tools are considered standard equipment on
new U.S automobiles.

Defend your choice:

1- I did not choose A because it does not relate to the supporting sentences.
2- I did not choose C because it is too specific.
 3) The first one is the small ________________ out of date
even before they are published.

Choose a topic sentence:

A number of dictionaries are inappropriate for foreign students.
Some dictionaries aren’t comprehensive enough.
The worst kind of dictionaries.

Defend your choice:

1- I did not choose B because it is not a complete grammatical sentence.
2- I did not choose C because it is too specific.

4) For one thing, more than 10% _______________ or will not

take care of them.

Choose a topic sentence:

Some of the older people, in the U.S, face a number of serious problems.
Old age problems.
Retirement homes in the U.S are disgrace.

Defend your choice:

1- I did not choose B because it is too general.
2- I did not choose C because it is too specific.

5) An infant usually satisfies _______________ their potential

as fully developed.

Choose a topic sentence:

Babies interacting daily with their parents.
Physical contact is an important factor in an infant overall development.
Many children are not properly taken care of by their parents.

Defend your choice:

1- I did not choose A because it is too specific.
2- I did not choose C because it is too general.

EXERCISE 1-7

Supplying appropriate topic sentence:

1. Changing a flat tire is not a big task.

2. A number of dictionaries are available in the market.

3. Bell Telephone Company has adopted a new billing system.

4. Several old age benefits are provided to the senior citizens.

5. We humans experience a unique sense of responsiveness.