HOMEWORK
Questions on the Model
1. What is the title of this paragraph?
2. What is the topic sentence? What information does it give you?
3. How many supporting sentences are there?
4. How many reasons are given? What words introduce these reasons?
5. How many examples are given for each reason? What words tell you that these are
examples?
6. What is the concluding sentence?
7. What kind of organizational pattern did the writer use in this paragraph-space order,
time order, or listing order?
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a great place to spend a vacation for two reasons. First of all, Costa Rica
has an excellent system of national parks where visitors can observe nature. For example,
in Tortuguero National Park, visitors can watch sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs in
the sand. Then they can come back several months later to see the new babies crawl
down to the sea. In Santa Rosa National Park, visitors can see unusual birds such as
toucans and quetzals and exotic animals such as spider monkeys. Second, Costa Rica
has many beautiful beaches. For instance, the beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park
are among the most beautiful in the world, and the beaches on Cañoa and Cocos Islands
offer perfect conditions for snorkeling and seuba diving. Indeed, Costa Rica is a wonderful
place to go if you love the outdoors.
Answers
1. Costa Rica.
2 The first sentence: Costa Rica is a great place to spend a vacation for two reasons. It
gives the information that there are two reasons.
3. There are seven supporting sentences.
4. Two reasons. First of all and Second introduce them.
5. Two examples are given for each reason. For example and For instance introduce some
of the examples.
6. The last sentence: Indeed, Costa Rica is a wonderful place to go if you love the
outdoors.
7. Listing order.
Answer the questions.
1.-Where would you like to go on your next vacation?
2.- A friend from home has asked you to recommend a language school. You, of
course, want your friend to come to your school.
Think of at least three reasons for your choice. Here are some possible reasons.
Here are some points to consider.
campus facilities (gymnasium,classes cost computer lab, dormitories, etc.)
teachers
location
other students nearby attractions
student success rate
Outline
Topic sentence: The C.A.I is a good place to learn English for several reasons.
Reason A: It is economical.
Example: Adults pay 200 bolivianos
Example: Children pay 100 bolivianos
Reason B: Has flexible hours
Example: There are classes in the morning, afternoon and at night.
Example: And if you work you can also spend classes on weekends.
Reason C: They have the best teachers
Example: All of their teachers are licensed.
Example: Most of their teachers have 5 years experience.
Reason D: You can get a certification
Example: At the end of each course you can take a test to find out your level.
Example: You can also get a certificate by interning as a teacher.
Work with a partner. Think of at least one specific example for each reason
Outline A
Topic sentence: Small cars are more economical than big cars.
A. They don't use much gasoline
1. A Honda Civic gets forty miles per gallon.
2. Fiat 600 consumes a liter for 50 km
B. Maintenance costs are lower.
1. Small cars need maintenance only once a year
2. General maintenance is below 100 bolivianos.
C. Repair costs are lower
1. spare parts cost less than 100 bolivianos.
2. repairs in general cost 50 bolivianos per consultation
D. Insurance is cheaper.
1.Insurance costs 100 bolivianos if your car is for 4 people
2. Insurance costs 50 bolivianos if it is for people.
Concluding Sentence: save money on gas, maintenance, repairs, and insurance when
you own a small car.
Outline B
Topic sentence: I chose this college tor three reasons.
A. The location is convenient.
1. It is located near my house
2. It is a safe place.
B. The classes are small.
1. 5 people per group in the morning
2. 10 people per group at night
C. The cost is affordable.
1. You pay only 80 bolivianos per year
2. If you don't suspend the classes they are free.
Concluding Sentence : I decided to attend the College of Marin because it is convenient,
small, and affordable.
Outline C
Topic sentence: Sloppy Joes is the worst (best) fast-food restaurant in town.
A. The food tastes very bad.
1. The pizzas taste rotten.
2. The hamburgers have a lot of salt.
B. The attention is very bad.
1. You have to queue for an hour.
2. The manager treats you very badly.
C. Everything is expensive
1. The hamburgers cost 50 bolivianos.
2. The portion of potato costs 20 bolivianos
Concluding Sentence: Never eat at Sloppy Joe's Because the food is not rich, it is
expensive and they serve you very badly.
Outline D
Topic sentence: My Uncle Charlie is the stingiest (most generous) person in the world.
A. He has many weapons
1.He has 5 knives.
2. He has a gun.
B. He was imprisoned in jail.
1. He spent two years in Chonchocoro for robbery .
2. He spend 5 years in Palmasola for murder.
C. He is emotionally unstable.
1. He is Bipolar
2. He gets angry when you least expect it.
Concluding Sentence In conclusion, if you are invited out by Uncle Charlie, be sure to
bring
your wallet with you (leave your wallet at home).
C. Organize the scrambled sentences for each of the following topics into an
outline. The sentences are reasons, examples or other specific details, topic
sentences, or concluding sentences. Write your outlines on a separate piece of
paper.
Topic 1: Reasons not to own a Hummer
1. To sum up, for the health of your bank balance as well as for the health of the
environment, don't buy a Hummer.
2. Hummers are big gas hogs.
3. The H2 model gets less than 10 miles per gallon of gas.
4. In one year, a Hummer gives off 24,100 pounds of carbon dioxide, whaverage cars give
off.
5. There are at least two reasons for not buying the huge military-type vehicle called a
Hummer
6. The U.S. government's Environmental Protection Agency gives it a failing grade.
7. When gas costs $3 per gallon, it costs $100 to fill up a Hummer's big gas tank.
8. Hummers are bad for the environment.
TOPIC 1
Topic Sentence: There are at least two reasons for not buying the huge, military-type
vehicle called a Hummer.
A. Hummers are big gas hogs.
1. The H2 model gets less than 10 miles per gallon of gas.
2. When gas costs $3 per gallon, it costs $100 to fill up a Hummer's big gas tank.
B. Hummers are bad for the environment.
1. In one year, a Hummer gives off 24,100 pounds of carbon dioxide, which is two to three
times more than average cars give off.
2. The U.S. government's Environmental Protection Agency gives it a failing grade.
Conclusion: To sum up, for the health of your bank balance as well as for the health of
the environment, don't buy a Hummer
Topic 2 reasons to own an Smart
1. The Smart is easy on the wallet.
2. The Smart will be the next "cool" car to own for several reasons.
3. The design is eye-catching.
4. It costs between $15,000 and $25,000.
5. It has changeable door panels in stylish colors.
6. It is only 8 feet, 24 inches (250 cm) long, which is the with of a street parking space.
7. Its body is modern in design.
8. You can park two or three Smarts side-by-side in a single street parking space.
9. The European model gets 60 miles per gallon of gas, and the U.S. model 50 miles per
gallon.
10. The Smart is easy to park.
11. For style, economy, and easy parking, the Smart is the car to buy.
Topic 2
Topic Sentence: The Smart will be the next "cool" car to buy for several reasons.
A. The design is eye-catching.
1. It has changeable door panels in stylish colors.
2. Its body is modern in design.
B. The Smart is easy on the wallet.
1. It costs between $15,000 and $25,000.
2. The European model gets 60 miles per gallon of gas, and the U.S. model 50 miles per
gallon.
C. The Smart is easy to park.
1. It is only 8 feet, 2-1/2 inches (250 cm) long, which is the width of a street parking space.
2. You can park two or three Smarts side-by-side in a single street parking space.
Conclusion: For style, economy, and easy parking, the Smart is the car to buy.
