IELTS READING: THE TOPIC SENTENCE AND HOW IT HELPS

Every passage is divided into separate paragraphs and each paragraph represents a specific idea or set of ideas presented in a sequence. Hence each paragraph contains a sentence or sometimes (but rarely) a couple of sentences which introduce the topic which is discussed in that particular paragraph. Now look at the following two examples,

The first image shows how a passage is divided into individual paragraphs: (this passage is taken from the Cambridge IELTS 5)

(this passage is taken from the Cambridge IELTS 5)

Observe that the above passage is divided into separate paragraphs and each paragraph presents a specific idea or concept. Can you spot the idea being presented? Read more to learn how to locate the topic sentence and utilize in answering the questions:

What is a Topic Sentence and how to locate it?

To put it simply a topic sentence "introduces the idea or concept being discussed in the passage."

Look at the following example: the topic sentence has been underlined in red color. The passage has been taken from Cambridge IELTS 5 with answers.

Read the above paragraph. You can see that it presents a detailed discussion of what goes in a person's brain when he/she listens to a joke and then makes an attempt to understand it. However, the whole concept is quite precisely summed up in the expression: "he found evidence that understanding a joke involves widespread mental shift" You can read the paragraph again and will agree that the paragraph explains this "widespread mental shift" in detail. Hence the main theme or topic is that "understanding a joke involves widespread mental shift".

Why is Topic  Sentence important and where can it be used?

Topic sentences are used in answering questions like:

• Choosing a "heading" for paragraph(s) from a list of choices
• Matching paragraph(s) with possible topic sentences
• Answering True, False or Not Given questions.

Activity:
Read the above paragraph and try to suggest an appropriate heading for it.

SUB TOPICS

Some paragraphs have a topic sentence which explains the main topic. However, the paragraph also has sub-topic(s) which give deeper detail of what is being discussed and in many cases they provide an idea of what will be explained further or may be in the next paragraph. This can also be easily spotted in the paragraph.

Look at the following example. Paragraph taken from Insight into IELTS by Cambridge University Press.

Read the paragraph and observe that two different sentences are underlined. One in red colour and the other in blue.

• The sentence underlined in red colour shows the topic which the writer has discussed in detail in this paragraph
• The sentence underlined in blue colour shows the:
• concept the writer is going to discuss further on.
• It is also like a conclusion he has reached or the analysis he has made from his writing experiences.

CONCLUSION:
Locating and underlining topic sentences and sub-topics (or other important ideas) in the passage can help a candidate not only understand the paragraph (and the whole passage better) but also locate vital information more easily while answering questions. Remember, all the questions are from the passage and comprehending it well can help you answer questions more accurately and get a better score. :)

IELTS Reading - COMPREHENSION SKILL: Understanding the “theme” of the whole passage

You can improve your score by improving your comprehension skills. An important part of "comprehending" a given passage or part of the passage (a paragraph) is to understand the essence and theme of it.

 

What is the theme of a passage/paragraph?
A theme is the “main” idea or concept.

 

If a reader can locate and/or understand the theme or main idea then comprehending the rest of the passage becomes a lot easier.

 

How to locate and comprehend the “theme”?

The theme of the “whole passage” can usually be found in the heading and subheading. For example look at the following examples of headings:

 

 

1. APICULTURE.

 

Beekeeping has been practiced by humans for ages.

 

 

 

2. AT THE MERCY OF HUMANS

 

Ecosystem under threat because of the development done by humans

 

 

 

3. INSOMNIA

 

Inability to sleep

 

 

• What comes to your mind after reading each of the above headings?

 

• What do you think the passage which follows will be about?

 

• Do you find it helpful to have an initial idea of what the passage might be about?

 

Most candidates of IELTS test feel more comfortable in attempting the questions if they have an idea of what the passage is about. The easiest way to do so is to read the “heading”. Most headings clearly define the theme of the passage.

 

The above headings clearly give us an idea what the passage will be about:

• Heading #1 tells us that the passage will be about “beekeeping”.
• Heading#2 tells that the passage will be about how ecosystem is badly affected by the developments being made by humans. 
• Heading#3 tells us that passage will be about “sleeplessness” (the inability to sleep).

 

FURTHER PRACTICE:

 

Magazines, News Papers, Newsletters etc both paper based and electronic (available electronically on the Internet) are excellent resources for reading headings and sub-headings in order to understand the possible theme of the passage. As you practice more, you will feel a lot more comfortable in reading different texts of which you have no prior knowledge. You will specifically be focusing on the given text and that’s what the IELTS test expects you to do: read and understand the text and then answer the questions!