Informational Writing — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A supporting detail gives facts , examples, or definitions to back up the main idea.
Supporting details use facts, examples, or definitions to prove the main idea, giving readers solid reasons to believe the topic sentence.
2. Writers use evidence such as dates and numbers to make their writing more convincing.
Including evidence like specific dates and numbers makes informational writing more convincing because readers can verify those details.
3. A detail that does not connect to the topic sentence is called an off-topic detail.
An off-topic detail does not connect to the main idea, which confuses readers and weakens the paragraph's focus.
4. Using a definition helps readers understand a difficult word by explaining what it means.
When a writer includes a definition, it explains what a tricky word means so readers do not get confused or have to look it up.
5. The phrase "such as" is used to introduce an example in informational writing.
The phrase "such as" signals that the writer is about to give a specific example to help the reader picture the main idea.
6. Strong supporting details are accurate , meaning they can be checked or proven.
Accurate details can be checked or proven, which builds the reader's trust in the writing and makes the information reliable.
7. A paragraph needs at least two supporting details to develop the main idea well.
At least two supporting details are needed because a single detail is not enough to fully develop and prove the main idea of a paragraph.
8. When a writer includes a statistic, the reader gets a clearer picture of the topic.
Statistics give exact numbers that paint a clearer picture of the topic, helping readers understand the size or importance of something.
9. Details should appear in a logical order that makes sense to the reader.
Arranging details in a logical order helps the reader follow the writer's thinking step by step without getting lost or confused.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each type of evidence to its description.
Fact
→ A true statement that can be proven
A number or measurement that supports a claim
Definition
→ An explanation of what a word means
A specific case that illustrates the main idea
Example
→ A specific case that illustrates the main idea
A true statement that can be proven
Statistic
→ A number or measurement that supports a claim
An explanation of what a word means
Correct matches: Fact → A true statement that can be proven; Definition → An explanation of what a word means; Example → A specific case that illustrates the main idea; Statistic → A number or measurement that supports a claim.