Class: 3

Student: Alex
Tutor: Gustavo

25/09/2015

Academic English
__________________________________________________
1. REVIEW
A topic sentence is a complete sentence; that is, it contains at least one
subject and one verb.
A topic sentence contains both a topic and a controlling idea. It names the
topic and then limits the topic to a specific area to be discussed in the
space
of a single paragraph.
a topic sentence is a complete sentence and is neither too
general nor too specific.
Example:

A lunar eclipse is an omen of a coming disaster. Too Specific

Superstitions have been around forever. Too general
People hold many superstitious beliefs about the moon. Best TS

2. SUPPORTING SENTENCES
Supporting sentences explain or prove the topic sentence. One of the
biggest problems
in student writing is that student writers often fail to support their ideas
adequately.
They need to use specific details to be thorough and convincing.
There are several kinds of specific supporting details: examples, statistics,
and
quotations.
Exercise:
Step 1 Read Paragraphs A and B about red-light running. Notice the
different
specific supporting details that have been added to Paragraph B.
Step 2 Locate the topic sentence in Paragraph B. Circle the topic and
underline the controlling idea.
Step 3 Which supporting sentences in Paragraph B contain the kinds of
details listed below? Give the sentence numbers of each kind.

Class: 3
Student: Alex
Tutor: Gustavo

25/09/2015

An example: 5
A statistic: 3
A quotation: 7

Exersice 2
Re-write the jumbled sentences to create well-structured paragraphs with
a topic sentence, supporting details and a closing sentence.
Paragraph
1- In addition, artworks are highly susceptible to light.
2- The provision of a suitable environment for cultural artefacts can make
the difference
between preservation and destruction.
3- The environment of art and artefacts has a major impact on their
preservation.
4- Therefore, preventive conservation is the most direct and
uncomplicated way of caring for works of art.

Class: 3
Student: Alex
Tutor: Gustavo

25/09/2015

5- It includes the effect of differing levels of relative humidity and

temperature, the presence of insects and mould.
2- The provision of a suitable environment for cultural artefacts can make
the difference
between preservation and destruction.
3- The environment of art and artefacts has a major impact on their
preservation.
5- It includes the effect of differing levels of relative humidity and
temperature, the presence of insects and mould.
1- In addition, artworks are highly susceptible to light.
4- Therefore, preventive conservation is the most direct and
uncomplicated way of caring for works of art.

GRAMAR
___________________________________________________________________
1- PRESENT PERFECT

The present perfect simple is have/has+ past participle. The past

participle often ends in ed (finished/decided etc.), but many important
verbs are irregular (Lost/done/written etc.).
Situations:
When we say that 'something has happened', this is usually new
information:
Owl I've cut my finger.
The road is closed. There's been (there has been) an accident.

Class: 3
Student: Alex
Tutor: Gustavo

25/09/2015

When we use the present perfect, there is a connection with now. The
action in the past has a result now:

'Where's your key?' 'I don't know. I've Lost it.' (=I don't have it now)
He told me his name, but I've forgotten it. (= I can't remember it
now)

Note the difference between gone (to) and been (to):

James is on holiday. He has gone to Italy. (= he is there now or on

his way there)
Jane is back home now. She has been to Italy. (=she has now come
back)

You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet.

'Are you hungry?' 'No, I've just had lunch

'Don't forget to pay your electricity bill.' 'I 've already paid it.'

I've written the email, but I haven't sent it yet.

Exercises:
Practice what you have learned solving the exercises below

Class: 3
Student: Alex
Tutor: Gustavo

Exercise 1

Been

Gone

Gone

Been

Exercise 2
Ive just seen her

25/09/2015

Class: 3
Student: Alex
Tutor: Gustavo

He has already left

I havent read it yet
She has already seen the film
They have just arrived
We havent told him yet

25/09/2015

Class: 3
Student: Alex
Tutor: Gustavo

Ip

25/09/2015