English Competitive: How to Solve Identifying the Opening and Closing Sentences

Introduction "Mastering the art of identifying opening and closing sentences can fetch you a whopping 10-15 marks in competitive exams, making it a game-changer for your verbal score. So, let's dive in and learn how to ace this topic!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST

To tackle this topic, you should have a basic understanding of:

1. Common transitional words and phrases: Familiarize yourself with words like 'however', 'therefore', 'meanwhile', 'in addition', etc. that signal the start or end of a sentence.
2. Sentence structure: Understand the difference between simple, compound, and complex sentences, as well as the use of conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.
3. Punctuation marks: Be aware of the use of commas, semicolons, and periods to separate sentences.

CRYSTAL‑CLEAR METHOD (Step‑by‑Step)

1. Read the passage carefully: Take your time to read the passage and understand the context.
2. Identify the topic sentence: Look for the main idea or the central theme of the passage. This is usually the opening sentence.
3. Scan for transitional words and phrases: Search for words and phrases that signal the start or end of a sentence, such as 'however', 'in addition', or 'meanwhile'.
4. Check for sentence structure: Identify the type of sentence (simple, compound, or complex) and look for conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.
5. Look for punctuation marks: Check for commas, semicolons, and periods to separate sentences.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE Passage: "The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky. However, the temperature was quite low. In addition, the wind was blowing gently."

Opening sentence: "The sun was shining brightly in the clear blue sky." Closing sentence: "In addition, the wind was blowing gently."

WORKED EXAMPLES

Example 1 – Easy Passage: "The students were excited for the school trip. They had been waiting for weeks. The bus arrived on time, and they set off immediately."

Opening sentence: "The students were excited for the school trip." Closing sentence: "The bus arrived on time, and they set off immediately."

Tip to remember: Look for words like 'however', 'in addition', or 'meanwhile' to identify the opening or closing sentence.

Example 2 – Medium Passage: "The new policy was implemented to reduce pollution. However, it had an unexpected effect. The company's profits increased, but the environment suffered."

Opening sentence: "The new policy was implemented to reduce pollution." Closing sentence: "The company's profits increased, but the environment suffered."

Tip to remember: Be cautious of sentences that start with 'however' or 'in addition', as they can be either opening or closing sentences.

Example 3 – Exam‑Style Passage: "The government has launched a new initiative to promote renewable energy. Meanwhile, the country is facing a severe energy crisis. The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions, but it will take time to see the results."

Opening sentence: "The government has launched a new initiative to promote renewable energy." Closing sentence: "The initiative aims to reduce carbon emissions, but it will take time to see the results."

Tip to remember: Look for sentences that provide a conclusion or a summary of the main idea.

Common Mistakes

MISTAKE → WHY IT HAPPENS → CORRECT APPROACH

1. Mistake: Identifying a sentence that starts with 'however' as the opening sentence. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students may not understand the difference between 'however' and 'in addition'. CORRECT APPROACH: Look for the main idea or central theme of the passage to identify the opening sentence.

2. Mistake: Ignoring transitional words and phrases. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students may not be familiar with transitional words and phrases. CORRECT APPROACH: Make a list of common transitional words and phrases to help you identify the opening or closing sentence.

3. Mistake: Focusing on the first sentence as the opening sentence. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students may not read the passage carefully. CORRECT APPROACH: Read the passage carefully and identify the main idea or central theme.

4. Mistake: Identifying a sentence that ends with a period as the closing sentence. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students may not understand the use of punctuation marks. CORRECT APPROACH: Look for sentences that provide a conclusion or a summary of the main idea.

5. Mistake: Ignoring sentence structure. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students may not understand the difference between simple, compound, and complex sentences. CORRECT APPROACH: Identify the type of sentence (simple, compound, or complex) and look for conjunctions and subordinating conjunctions.

EXAM TRAPS

Trap → How to Spot it → How to Avoid it

1. Trap: A sentence that starts with 'however' or 'in addition' is always the opening sentence. How to Spot it: Look for sentences that provide a contrast or an addition to the main idea. How to Avoid it: Be cautious of sentences that start with 'however' or 'in addition', as they can be either opening or closing sentences.

2. Trap: A sentence that ends with a period is always the closing sentence. How to Spot it: Look for sentences that provide a conclusion or a summary of the main idea. How to Avoid it: Don't focus solely on the punctuation marks; look for the main idea or central theme of the passage.

3. Trap: A sentence that starts with 'meanwhile' is always the opening sentence. How to Spot it: Look for sentences that provide a contrast or an addition to the main idea. How to Avoid it: Be cautious of sentences that start with 'meanwhile', as they can be either opening or closing sentences.

TIME‑SAVING SHORTCUTS

1. Eliminate sentences that start with 'however' or 'in addition': These sentences can be either opening or closing sentences, so eliminate them first.
2. Look for sentences that provide a conclusion or a summary: These sentences are usually the closing sentences.
3. Identify the main idea or central theme: This will help you determine the opening sentence.

1‑MINUTE RECAP "Alright, let's recap! To identify the opening and closing sentences, read the passage carefully, identify the main idea or central theme, and look for transitional words and phrases. Don't focus solely on the first sentence or the punctuation marks. Be cautious of sentences that start with 'however' or 'in addition', as they can be either opening or closing sentences. And remember, practice makes perfect! Take a few minutes to practice identifying opening and closing sentences, and you'll be a pro in no time!