Topic Sentences - Answer Sheet

© 2004 UsingEnglish.com

Highlight or underline the topic sentence in each paragraph:

1. I recently read an article called So Many Englishes by Paul Roberts, in which he

argues for the "abolition of the native speaker assistant or the abolition or the native

speaker teacher." He bases this on the idea that "Paradoxically, perversely, even, it makes

a lot more sense for a class of Milanese or Parisian or Berliner students to have, for

example, a Russian, Chinese or Brazilian English teacher." This is justified on the rather

flimsy grounds that they are more expert at international communication in English.

2. When learning new words and expressions, it is important to take note of whether

these words and expressions are used in an informal context or a formal context.

Many words and expressions are used both formally and informally. If you aren’t sure of

exactly how to use a new word or expression, you can try them out with work colleagues

and friends. Find people to converse with. They may not be instructive in any way, but you

can try out new ways to express yourself. You should also listen as closely as possible

when you converse. Listen for anything that sounds different, new, or unfamiliar. If the

circumstance permits, don’t be afraid to take out your pocket notebook and write it down.

If you say something that isn't quite right, the person you are speaking with might take note

of it and let you know. If you aren’t sure of something you said or would like to say, then

ask about it. If you hear something and you don’t know what it means, ask about that as

well.

3. More than two million children sat the tests, which include reading, writing, spelling and

handwriting as part of an overall examination of English language skills. The results seem

to be somewhat disheartening as apparently fewer than half of our children can spell

© 2004 UsingEnglish.com

words such as “effortless” and “participate” says the Qualifications and Curriculum

Authority (QCA).

4. The concept of abnormality changes with knowledge and the prevailing social

attitudes, therefore it is difficult to define an individuals’ mental state or behaviour as

abnormal. The term Abnormal is defined in the 1985 edition of The Penguin Dictionary of

Psychology as "Any departure from the norm or the normal". It also defines Normal as

"Conforming to that which is characteristic and representative of a group; not deviating

markedly from the average or the typical.". Legally, normality is largely defined as the

ability to distinguish between right & wrong, and to control their own behaviour (Roediger

et al., p533).

5. It seems clear that there must be some form of universal language with which we can

communicate mental states and problems to each other accurately and without

misunderstanding. The need to diagnose problems implies the need for some form of

labelling and grouping of symptoms. The labels used to describe abnormal mental

behaviour up to now have often had negative overtones. A labelling system which is both

impartial and accurate must surely be of utmost importance. However, there is always the

possibility that any labelling of mental disorders will develop a negative tone due many

people’s fear, or lack of understanding, of these conditions and their implications for an

individual. It could therefore be that the problem of labelling is surpassed by the problem

of how we act towards them.