Remove the sentence that does not 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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.

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.

let’s practice!