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Topic Sentences and Supporting Details: Informational Paragraphs — Answers

Answer sheet with model answers and success criteria for the 3rd Grade informative writing worksheet.

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Success TutoringWorksheetsAnswer sheet3rd Grade · English · Informative Writing

Topic Sentences and Supporting Details: Informational Paragraphs — Answers

Part A: Find the topic sentence

A topic sentence tells what the whole paragraph is about. Supporting details are facts that explain the topic sentence. Read the paragraph, then answer.

The Texas Horned Lizard

The Texas horned lizard has some amazing ways to stay safe. Its brown, spotted skin helps it blend in with dirt and rocks. If a hungry animal comes close, the lizard can puff up its body so it looks bigger and is harder to swallow. The sharp horns on its head also make it a prickly meal. When it is in great danger, it can even squirt a stream of blood from the corners of its eyes to scare a predator away.

1.Which sentence is the topic sentence?
  1. AThe Texas horned lizard has some amazing ways to stay safe.
  2. BIts brown, spotted skin helps it blend in with dirt and rocks.
  3. CThe sharp horns on its head also make it a prickly meal.
  4. DIt can squirt a stream of blood from its eyes.

Answer: The Texas horned lizard has some amazing ways to stay safe.

It tells the main idea of the whole paragraph. All the other sentences are details about how the lizard stays safe.

2.Write two supporting details from the paragraph.

Answer: Its skin helps it blend in with dirt and rocks; it can puff up its body to look bigger.

  1. Any two of: its skin helps it blend in; it puffs up its body; its horns make it prickly; it can squirt blood from its eyes.
3.What do all the supporting details have in common?
  1. AThey tell what the lizard eats.
  2. BThey tell how the lizard stays safe.
  3. CThey tell where the lizard sleeps.
  4. DThey tell how big the lizard grows.

Answer: They tell how the lizard stays safe.

Every detail explains one way the lizard protects itself.

Part B: Choose the best topic sentence

Read the details. Circle the topic sentence that fits them all.

4.Details: Bluebonnets grow along roads in spring. Their flowers are blue with white tips. In 1901, the bluebonnet became the state flower of Texas. Which is the best topic sentence?
  1. AI like flowers.
  2. BThe bluebonnet is a famous Texas wildflower.
  3. CSpring is a season.
  4. DSome flowers are red.

Answer: The bluebonnet is a famous Texas wildflower.

It names the topic (bluebonnets) and covers all three details.

5.Details: Fire trucks carry ladders. They carry long hoses. They also carry tools for opening doors and cutting metal. Which is the best topic sentence?
  1. AFire trucks are red.
  2. BMy uncle is a firefighter.
  3. CFire trucks carry many tools to help firefighters do their job.
  4. DLadders can be tall.

Answer: Fire trucks carry many tools to help firefighters do their job.

All three details are about what fire trucks carry.

Part C: Which detail does not belong?

Every detail must support the topic sentence. Circle the detail that does not belong.

6.Topic sentence: Owls are skilled night hunters. Which detail does not belong?
  1. AOwls have large eyes that help them see in the dark.
  2. BOwls can fly almost silently.
  3. CMy friend has a stuffed owl on her bed.
  4. DOwls can hear tiny sounds, like a mouse moving in the grass.

Answer: My friend has a stuffed owl on her bed.

It is not a fact about how owls hunt at night.

7.Topic sentence: Recycling helps our planet. Which detail does not belong?
  1. ARecycling means less trash goes to landfills.
  2. BOld cans can be made into new cans.
  3. CPizza is my favorite food.
  4. DRecycled paper means fewer trees need to be cut down.

Answer: Pizza is my favorite food.

It is not about recycling at all.

Part D: Build a paragraph

8.Topic sentence: A library has many things to offer. Write two supporting details.

Answer: You can borrow books for free. Many libraries also have computers you can use.

Any two true details about a library fit, such as story time, movies to borrow, quiet places to study, or librarians who help you find books.

9.Write a topic sentence for these details: Dogs can learn to sit and stay. Some dogs help people who cannot see. Dogs can be trained to find lost people.

Answer: Dogs can learn to do many helpful things.

Any topic sentence that covers all three details works.

Part E: Your turn

10.Write an informational paragraph about an animal you know about. Start with a topic sentence that tells the main idea. Then write three supporting details. Every detail must be a true fact that fits the topic sentence.

Model answer: Squirrels are busy animals that get ready for winter. In the fall, they gather acorns and other nuts. They bury some of the nuts in the ground so they can find them later. Squirrels also build nests out of leaves and twigs high up in trees to stay warm.

Success criteria:

  • A topic sentence that states the main idea
  • Three supporting details that are facts
  • Every detail fits the topic sentence
  • Sentences begin with capital letters and end with end marks
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Marking tips

  • Give credit for correct method even when the final answer slips — the working shows where the thinking went right.
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