Identifying Key Sentences

Identifying Key Sentences

Read each paragraph carefully. Identify the key sentence, also known as the topic sentence, in each. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Paragraph 1:

The invention of the printing press revolutionized the spread of information. Before its creation, books were painstakingly copied by hand, a process that was both slow and expensive. This meant that knowledge was largely inaccessible to the general public, confined mostly to clergy and the wealthy elite. With the printing press, books could be produced quickly and cheaply, leading to a dramatic increase in literacy rates and the dissemination of new ideas across Europe.

1. Underline the key sentence in the paragraph above.

2. What is the main idea of this paragraph?

Paragraph 2:

Regular exercise offers numerous benefits for both physical and mental health. Physically, it strengthens muscles and bones, improves cardiovascular health, and helps maintain a healthy weight. Mentally, exercise can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function. These advantages collectively contribute to a higher quality of life and increased longevity.

3. Underline the key sentence in the paragraph above.

4. List two supporting details from the paragraph that prove the key sentence.

Complete the sentences below about key sentences.

5. A key sentence usually appears at the   of a paragraph.

6. The key sentence expresses the   of the paragraph.

7. All other sentences in the paragraph should   the key sentence.

8. Why is it important to be able to identify the key sentence in a paragraph?

Read each statement and indicate whether it is True or False.

9. A key sentence always provides a specific example.

10. The key sentence is often the broadest statement in a paragraph.