CLAT English | How to Find “Supporting Sentences” in RC Paragraphs?

Supporting sentences in a paragraph give more information or provide evidence to help explain and support the main idea. Like a team of helpers, supporting sentences work together to make the main idea stronger and clearer.

Imagine you have a big idea, like “Cats are great pets.” That’s the main idea of the paragraph. But to convince someone that cats are great pets, give them reasons and examples. That’s where supporting sentences come in. They give details and facts about why cats make good pets. For example, a supporting sentence could say, “Cats are independent animals that can care for themselves.” This sentence supports the main idea by explaining why cats are great pets.

Supporting sentences can also give examples or tell stories to help explain the main idea. If the main idea is “Exercise is important for staying healthy,” a supporting sentence could be, “Running, swimming, and playing sports are all forms of exercise.” This sentence gives examples of different exercises to show the main idea’s meaning.

How to Find “Supporting Sentences”?

So, supporting sentences are like the helpers in a paragraph, unlike topic sentence which introduces you to a topic.. They provide more information, evidence, and examples to make the main idea stronger and easier to understand.

To find supporting sentences in a reading comprehension, you need to follow these steps:

1. Understand the main idea: Start by reading the first sentence of the paragraph, which tells you what the paragraph is about. This sentence is like the boss of the paragraph.
2. Look for important information: Read the whole paragraph carefully and find sentences that give more details about the main idea. These sentences are like helpers that support and explain the main idea.
3. Find key details: Pay attention to specific facts, examples, or numbers in the paragraph. These details are important because they back up or prove the main idea.
4. See how the paragraph is organized: Look at how the sentences are arranged in the paragraph. Supporting sentences usually follow a logical order that builds on the main idea. Watch for words like “also,” “and,” “for example,” or “but” that show connections between ideas.
5. Look for important points: Supporting sentences often highlight important points or give extra information to strengthen the main idea. Look for sentences that use strong words or give important details.
6. Consider different viewpoints: A paragraph may sometimes present different opinions or ideas. Look for sentences that show a different point of view or offer a different way of looking at things.
7. Check for smooth reading: Supporting sentences should help the paragraph flow smoothly. They connect ideas and make sure everything makes sense. Look for sentences that fit well with the rest of the paragraph.

Example 1

Passage: Cycling is a fun and healthy activity. It helps to keep our bodies active and strong. When we ride a bike, we use our leg muscles, which makes them stronger. Cycling also improves our balance and coordination. It is a great way to explore the outdoors and enjoy nature. Additionally, cycling can reduce pollution and help protect the environment. Cycling is a wonderful activity that brings joy and benefits to our bodies and the world around us.

Example of a supporting sentence: “When we ride a bike uphill, it requires more effort from our leg muscles, making them even stronger and building endurance.”

The passage’s main idea is that cycling is a fun and healthy activity. The supporting sentence, “When we ride a bike uphill, it requires more effort from our leg muscles, making them even stronger and building endurance,” provides an example to support the main idea. It explains what happens when we ride a bike uphill. This example further emphasizes the benefits of cycling for our bodies, highlighting how it can specifically strengthen our leg muscles through uphill riding.

Example 2

Passage: Taking care of our environment is important. One way we can do this is by recycling. Recycling means turning old things into new ones instead of throwing them away. For instance, when we recycle plastic bottles, they can be transformed into new bottles or other plastic products. Recycling helps to reduce waste and conserve resources. It also prevents pollution and protects the habitats of plants and animals. By recycling, we can all contribute to creating a cleaner and healthier planet for everyone.

Example of a supporting sentence: “By recycling paper, we can save trees and reduce deforestation, which helps preserve many animals’ homes.”

The passage’s main idea is that recycling is an important way to take care of our environment. The supporting sentence, “By recycling paper, we can save trees and reduce deforestation, which helps to preserve the homes of many animals,” provides an example to support the main idea. It explains that recycling paper can reduce the need to cut down trees to make new paper. This, in turn, helps to preserve the homes and habitats of many animals that rely on forests. This example highlights the positive impact of recycling on reducing deforestation and protecting the natural environment. By recycling, we can actively contribute to the well-being of the planet and the creatures that inhabit it.