大学英语六级短文写作精讲

　　exercise w3

　　writing topic sentences

　　the following paragraphs consist of supporting ideas. read each paragraph and ask yourself what is being discussed or described (the topic) and how the topic is approached (the controlling idea). then write a topic sentence for each paragraph.

　　1.pictures or posters on the wall make a dormitory room feel more like home. a rug on the floor beside the bed is a nice addition to an otherwise cold and hard floor. besides textbooks, favorite books from home on the bookshelf and a photograph or two of the family on the desk also add a comforting touch to the impersonal dormitory room.

　　2.the white pages of an american telephone book give the phone numbers of residences. the blue pages contain the numbers of government offices, and the yellow pages have advertisements and business numbers. there are maps as well as indexes at the back of the book. the telephone books of larger cities may provide separate books for different sections of the city, while those of small towns may have room to include the numbers from several towns all in one book.

　　3.first, the fast-food restaurant is good for people who must have a quick bite because of a busy schedule. second, the food is inexpensive yet tasty. a person can eat an enjoyable meal out and stay within a limited budget. finally, the food is usually consistent. for example, a cheeseburger from a well-known fast-food restaurant looks and tastes about the same no matter where in the world it is purchased. consequently, buyers know exactly what they are getting.

　　practice with supporting ideas

　　your topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph will be about. the ideas stated in the rest of the paragraph should all refer to the given topic and the controlling idea. look at the following example.

　　there are many ways to eat peanut butter. you can spread it on a slice of bread like butter, or you can make it into a sandwich with jam. peanut butter can be a major ingredient of very tasty cookies as well as cakes and candies. it is delicious in ice cream. peanut butter was invented by george washington carver. my favorite way to eat peanut butter is to lick it off a spoon.

　　our topic sentence tells the reader that we are discussing peanut butter. the controlling idea is “ways of eating it.” all of the sentences should be about ways of eating peanut butter. are they? no. the sentence “peanut butter was invented by george washington carver” does not refer to ways of eating peanut butter.

　　exercise w4

　　checking supporting ideas

　　look at the following outlines. circle the letter of the idea that does not support the topic.

　　1.ⅰ. ways to get rid of hiccups

　　a. breathe into a paper bag

　　b. hold your breath to the count of 10

　　c. have someone frighten you

　　d. make an appointment with your doctor

　　2.ⅰ. steps for planning a trip

　　a. purchasing a map

　　b. working late

　　c. making an itinerary

　　d. reserving a ticket

　　3.ⅰ. reasons for car accidents

　　a. fast driving

　　b. drinking and driving

　　c. not following traffic regulations

　　d. giving signals

　　4.ⅰ. advantages off small apartments

　　a. good school facilities

　　b. easy to clean

　　c. cheaper to furnish

　　d. relatively inexpensive

　　5.ⅰ. characteristics of a good restaurant

　　a. efficient waiters

　　b. tasty food

　　c. jacket and tie required

　　d. pleasant atmosphere