T/F: The controlling idea should be in the main clause of the topic sentence.

Question

anonymous · Answer

@DreamCaster

anonymous · Answer

Do you believe the statement is true or false?

anonymous · Answer

This one really confused me, because a main clause is an independent clause, so it looks like it is just asking if it is in the sentence? Which would be yes.. but

anonymous · Answer

Well, a controlling idea is an idea that makes the reader as a question. So, it's alike to the topic sentence as it helps to support the topic sentence, but they are not the same thing. 
To have a good topic sentence, you need a good controlling idea.

anonymous · Answer

@DreamCaster The definition of topic sentence in the lesson is "a sentence that states the main idea or subject of a paragraph" and controlling idea is "the part of the topic sentence indicating what the paragraph will say about the topic."
So they say the controlling idea is already in the topic sentence, that's reason I find it such a weird question. If it is in the main clause, which they say is an independent clause, aren't they just asking if it is in the sentence?

anonymous · Answer

Ah, I see now.
Yes, you're correct. They're testing to see if you know that the controlling idea should be in the topic sentence.

anonymous · Answer

Okay good that question was driving me crazy hahaha, thank you again :)

anonymous · Answer

You're welcome! :)