Identifying Key Sentences
This worksheet helps fifth-grade students identify and understand key sentences within paragraphs, improving their reading comprehension and writing skills.
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Standards
Identifying Key Sentences
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Read each paragraph carefully. Identify the key sentence (also known as the topic sentence) that tells the main idea of the paragraph. Then, answer the questions that follow.
Paragraph 1:
Dolphins are known for their intelligence and playful behavior. They communicate with each other using a variety of clicks and whistles. These marine mammals also use echolocation to navigate and hunt, sending out sound waves and listening for the echoes. Many scientists believe that dolphins have complex social structures and form strong bonds within their pods.
1. What is the key sentence in Paragraph 1?
2. What is the main idea of Paragraph 1?
Paragraph 2:
The Grand Canyon is a breathtaking natural wonder located in Arizona. It was carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, revealing layers of colorful rock. The canyon is approximately 277 miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and over a mile deep. Visitors can enjoy hiking, rafting, and sightseeing, experiencing its immense beauty and geological history firsthand.
3. What is the key sentence in Paragraph 2?
4. What is the main idea of Paragraph 2?
5. Which of the following is most likely a key sentence?
The cat sat on the mat.
Learning to ride a bicycle can be a challenging but rewarding experience.
The sky is blue today.
She wore a red dress.
6. A key sentence usually appears at the or of a paragraph.
7. The key sentence states the of the paragraph.
8. Why is it important to identify the key sentence when you are reading?