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Grade 4 · English Language Arts · Unit 10 of 10

Paragraph Power

Topic sentences and transitions

What your child practises

Choosing topic and concluding sentences, finding the sentence that doesn't belong, using transition words, identifying cause and effect, and putting sentences in order.

BC Curriculum learning standard: Paragraph structure (topic sentence, supporting details, concluding sentence), transition words and cause and effect; writing processes

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Ravi left the gate open. What is a likely EFFECT?

    • It would start to rain.
    • Ravi's shoes would come untied.
    • The grass would grow faster.
    • The dog could get out of the yard.
    Show answer

    The dog could get out of the yard.

    Hint: Think about what an open gate lets happen.

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence does NOT belong in this paragraph?

    Our community garden is a busy place in summer. Neighbours grow tomatoes, beans and squash. Winter is my favourite season because I love to skate. Children help water the plants each morning.

    • Children help water the plants each morning.
    • Our community garden is a busy place in summer.
    • Neighbours grow tomatoes, beans and squash.
    • Winter is my favourite season because I love to skate.
    Show answer

    Winter is my favourite season because I love to skate.

    Hint: Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main idea. Find the one that talks about something else.

  3. Question 3

    Which transition best fills the blank?

    We forgot to water our plant for two weeks.

    ___, its leaves turned brown and droopy.

    • First
    • As a result
    • For example
    • However
    Show answer

    As a result

    Hint: The droopy leaves happened BECAUSE nobody watered the plant. Which words show an effect?

  4. Question 4

    What is the CAUSE in this sentence?

    The puppy chewed the shoe because it was teething.

    • The shoe was brand new.
    • The puppy was hungry.
    • The puppy was teething.
    • The puppy chewed the shoe.
    Show answer

    The puppy was teething.

    Hint: Ask: WHY did the puppy chew the shoe? Look after the word “because”.

  5. Question 5

    Which transition word best fills the blank?

    Jay practised his song every day.

    ___, he still felt nervous before the concert.

    • Next
    • As a result
    • However
    • For example
    Show answer

    However

    Hint: You'd expect practising to make Jay calm, but he still felt nervous. That's a contrast.

  6. Question 6

    Which is the best topic sentence for these details?

    You can recycle paper, cans and plastic bottles.

    You can reuse jars to store crayons or buttons.

    You can also bring a cloth bag when you shop.

    • There are many simple ways to reduce waste at home.
    • You can recycle paper.
    • Shopping is fun on weekends.
    • Jars are made of glass.
    Show answer

    There are many simple ways to reduce waste at home.

    Hint: A topic sentence tells the main idea of the WHOLE paragraph. It shouldn't be just one detail, and it must be on topic.

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