Task 2: paragraphs that develop an idea
One idea per paragraph, explained and supported — not a list of points.
15 minutes · A free lesson from Writing
A band 7 body paragraph develops one main idea. A band 5 paragraph lists several ideas without explaining any of them.
Topic sentence: The strongest argument for free university education is fairness.
Explain: When students must pay high fees, talented young people from poorer families often decide not to apply, or choose shorter and cheaper courses.
Result / example: As a result, a country loses doctors, engineers and teachers it badly needs, simply because of the size of a family's bank account.
Link back: Free tuition removes this barrier and allows places to be awarded on ability alone.
Topic → explanation → consequence or example → link back to the question.
Lesson quiz
Check what you have learned. Choose an answer to see whether it is right, and why.
Quick check: What does a band 7 body paragraph do?
- Lists as many ideas as possible
- Develops one main idea
- Repeats the introduction
Show the answer
B: Develops one main idea — A band 5 paragraph lists several ideas without explaining any of them.
Quick check: Which order develops an idea well?
- Topic sentence, explanation, example or result, link back
- Example, conclusion, topic sentence
- A statistic, and nothing else
Show the answer
A: Topic sentence, explanation, example or result, link back — Topic, then explanation, then a consequence or example, then a link back to the question.
Quick check: You have no statistics for your example. What should you do?
- Invent a percentage
- Leave out the example
- Give a realistic, specific situation instead
Show the answer
C: Give a realistic, specific situation instead — Never invent statistics. A specific situation is just as effective.
Marked as soon as you finish — free with an account.Practise now