Grammar for ielts fiona Aish & Jo Tomlinson ■L& 11

Paragraph organization
A 
topic sentence
explains the main idea of a paragraph, it usually comes at the beginning of a 
paragraph so that reader knows w hat the paragraph is about. The topic sentence gives general 
inform ation on the main idea. The topic sentence does NOT contain details.
The other sentences in a paragraph add extra information to the main idea presented in the topic 
sentence. These sentences can be: 
explanations, details, reasons, contradictions, problems, solutions,
opposite views
etc. These sentences contain details and extend the main idea in the topic sentence.
The function of sentences
Each sentence in a paragraph has a function. It must be connected to the sentence before and 
the sentence afte r and add inform ation about the main idea in the topic sentence. Linking words 
(Unit 10) and reference words (Unit 16) help to connect sentences together and highlight th e ir role.
1 C elebrities have had a large im pact on the fashion industry. 2 This is due to the fact that they 
make successful advertising campaigns. 3 Sports stars, pop stars and actors, fo r exam ple, 
are often connected w ith a p a rtic u la r product. 4 Consequently, fans of the celebrity buy the 
product and company profits increase. 5 However, using celebrities makes people want 
products they do not w ant or need.
1 
Topic sentence
3 
Example
5 
Problem
2 Reason/explanation 
U Result
Grammar for IELTS
languagedownload.ir

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Unit 17
Practice Exercises
Match fo llo w in g paragraph sentences to th e ir functions.
1 
During the 1960s fashion in the West w ent through an extensive transfo rm a tion .
2 
Most of the changes were due to the influence of popular m usic and the ideas of young 
people.
3 The new less tra d itio n a l views of lifestyle were seen in item s of clothing such as the 
m in is k irt and the choice of bright colours, which became popular w ith young people.
U
In contrast, people from the old e r generation saw this new fashion as underm ining 
tra d itio n a l values.
5 This conflict over fashion between the younger and old e r generations has continued 
since then.
A Result 
C Opposite view 
E Example
B Reason 
D Topic sentence
2 
The te xt below is fro m an IELTS W ritin g Task 1. Look at the graph, divide the te xt into 
three paragraphs and then lab e l the function of each paragraph.
per cent 
50
40
30
20
10