1 Module 4 Unit 2 Working the land Writing How to develop a paragraph 日坛中学 邓兵

2 1. What’s the main idea of the passage? The use of chemical fertilizers can cause problems, and organic farming becomes popular. 2. In which paragraph are problems of chemical fertilizers talked about? In Paragraph 2. Topic sentence: What are some of the problems caused by chemical fertilizers? 3. What are the problems? Find and number them. Revision of the reading

3 What are some of the problems caused by chemical fertilizers? First, they damage the land by killing the helpful bacteria and pests as well as the harmful ones. Chemicals also stay in the ground and underground water for a long time. This affects crops and, therefore, animals and humans, since chemicals get inside the crops and cannot just be washed off. These chemicals in the food supply build up in people’s bodies over time. Many of these chemicals can lead to cancer or other illnesses. In addition, fruit, vegetables and other food grown with chemical fertilizers usually grow too fast to be full of much nutrition. They may look beautiful, but inside there is usually more water than vitamins and minerals. ____________________________________________________________ ___________

4 4. In which paragraph are methods of keeping the soil fertile talked about? In Paragraph 4. 5.Underline the topic sentence of Paragraph 4. What are the methods? Find and number them.

5 Organic farmers also use many other methods to keep the soil fertile. They often change the kind of crop in each field every few years, for example, growing corn or wheat and then the next year peas or soybeans. Crops such as peas or soybeans put important minerals back into the soil, making it ready for crops such as wheat or corn that need rich and fertile soil. Organic farmers also plant crops to use different levels of soil, for example, planting peanuts that use the ground’s surface followed by vegetables that put down deep roots. Some organic farmers prefer planting grass between crops to prevent wind or water from carrying away the soil, and then leaving it in the ground to become a natural fertilizer for the next year’s crop. These many different organic farming methods have the same goal: to grow good food and avoid damaging the environment or people’s health.

6 How does the writer express his ideas in these two paragraphs? Main idea of the paragraph —topic sentence/the writer’s opinion Some facts to support his opinion— supportings Discussion

7 How to develop a paragraph Topic sentence Supporting example(s) ↓ Supporting example(s) ↓ Supporting example(s)

8 Practice 1 Read the sentences. Find the topic sentence and their supportings. Put a T before the topic sentence and an S before the supportings. 1. At last, factory workers use them in industrial production to make everything from toys to shoes. 2. Today we use chemicals in almost every part of our lives to make our life better. 3. Besides, farmers also use them in the soil to help their plants grew fast and becomes strong. 4. What’s more, doctors give them to us in medicine to fight harmful bacteria in our bodies. 5. First, we use them at home to kill flies and other disease- carrying pests. T S S S S

9 Practice 1 Read the sentences. Put them into the right order to form a paragraph. 2. Today we use chemicals in almost every part of our lives to make our life better. 5. First, we use them at home to kill flies and other disease- carrying pests. 3. Besides, farmers also use them in the soil to help their plants grew fast and becomes strong. 4. What’s more, doctors give them to us in medicine to fight harmful bacteria in our bodies. 1. At last, Factory workers use them in industrial production to make everything from toys to shoes.

10 Practice 2 Topic sentences or supportings 1. If I have a mobile phone, I can look up some new words. 2. Services such as booking airline tickets or hotel rooms are available on the internet. 3. Internet shopping has many advantages. 4. There are some advantages of bringing mobile phones to school. 5. We can shop whenever we like. T S S T S

11 Practice 2 What are the characteristics of the topic sentences ？ 3. Internet shopping has many advantages. 5. There are some advantages of bringing mobile phones to school.

12 Write a paragraph to show your opinion. You may write on anything you like or choose a topic from the following. (At least 50 words) 1. Bringing mobile phones to school 2. Wearing school uniform 3. Internet Shopping Writing task

13 QuestionsYour evaluation Does the passage have a clear topic sentence? Yes. Yes, but not so clear. No. Does the passage have supportings? How many supportings are clear and reasonable? Yes. No or more How is the language? Excellent. Good. Acceptable. Evaluation

14 Choose another topic from the following and write a paragraph. 1. Bringing mobile phones to school 2. Wearing school uniform 3. Internet Shopping 4. Stay in Beijing for your advanced education or not Homework