Remove the sentence that does not belong
key notes :
What Does It Mean to Remove a Sentence That Doesn’t Belong?
- In a paragraph, all the sentences should be related to the main idea or topic.
- A sentence that does not belong is one that doesn’t fit with the main idea or doesn’t connect to the other sentences.
- Removing such a sentence helps keep the paragraph focused and clear.
Why is Removing Irrelevant Sentences Important?
- It keeps the paragraph focused and organized around a single idea.
- It prevents confusion for the reader by eliminating information that is off-topic or unrelated.
- It ensures that the writing is clear and easy to understand.
How to Identify a Sentence That Doesn’t Belong:
- Identify the main idea: First, determine the topic of the paragraph.
- Look for unrelated sentences: Find any sentence that talks about something different or off-topic.
- Check for flow: If a sentence interrupts the flow of ideas or doesn’t connect to the sentences before and after it, it might not belong.
Steps to Remove a Sentence That Doesn’t Belong:
- Step 1: Read the entire paragraph carefully.
- Step 2: Identify the main idea and supporting details.
- Step 3: Look for any sentence that strays from the topic.
- Step 4: Ask, “Does this sentence fit with the main idea?” If not, it should be removed.
- Step 5: Read the paragraph again after removing the sentence to ensure it makes sense and flows better.
Example of Removing a Sentence That Doesn’t Belong:
Paragraph Example:
- Dogs are loyal and friendly pets. They can be trained to do many tricks. Some dogs are used as therapy animals to help people. Cats like to climb trees. Dogs also love to play outside.
Main Idea: The paragraph is about dogs being loyal, friendly, and playful.
- Sentence that doesn’t belong: “Cats like to climb trees.”
- Why it doesn’t belong: It talks about cats, not dogs, which is unrelated to the main idea of the paragraph.
Another Example:
Paragraph Example:
- Eating healthy foods is important for staying strong and fit. Fruits and vegetables give your body vitamins and minerals. Exercise also helps you stay healthy. Junk food, like chips and soda, does not give your body good nutrients. It’s fun to play video games with friends.
Main Idea: The paragraph is about healthy eating and staying fit.
- Sentence that doesn’t belong: “It’s fun to play video games with friends.”
- Why it doesn’t belong: It talks about playing video games, which doesn’t relate to the topic of healthy eating or fitness.
Read the paragraph about unusual animals found on Madagascar. One sentence does not fit the topic. Remove that sentence to improve the focus of the paragraph.
The island of Madagascar is filled with unusual animals that are found nowhere else. For example, the island is the only natural habitat of the tomato frog. As its name suggests, this frog is bright red and has a round body. A frog called the coquí is common on the island of Puerto Rico. Also, Madagascar has its own special insects, such as the comet moth. This bright yellow insect’s wings can spread as wide as twenty centimetres.
The paragraph is about unusual animals found on Madagascar. This sentence does not fit the topic:
A frog called the coquí is common on the island of Puerto Rico.
So, it should be taken out of the paragraph to improve the focus.
Read the paragraph about which stars can help you find which way is north. One sentence does not fit the topic. Remove that sentence to improve the focus of the paragraph.
You can find stars in the night sky that tell you which way is north. If you look carefully, you can see planets in the night sky as well. To find north, start by locating a group of stars called the Big Dipper. You can spot this group of seven bright stars because it is shaped like a ladle, or a large spoon. The two stars on the end of the dipper point to the North Star. This star, also called Polaris, always points north in the night sky.
The paragraph is about which stars can help you find which way is north. This sentence does not fit the topic:
If you look carefully, you can see planets in the night sky as well.
So, it should be taken out of the paragraph to improve the focus.
let’s practice!
Read the paragraph about what the different parts of Buenos Aires are like. One sentence does not fit the topic. Remove that sentence to improve the focus of the paragraph.
Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, has many distinct neighbourhoods. One area has many homes painted in bright colours, while another offers great views of the river. In the Recoleta neighbourhood, nice hotels and restaurants line the streets. La Boca, a less fancy outer neighbourhood, is home to a famous football stadium. In the city centre, there are narrow streets that were built in the sixteenth century. But tall office buildings and modern shops are also found in Buenos Aires’s centre. New York City also has many interesting neighbourhoods, including Greenwich Village and Harlem.