Many students return to class more focused after a short break outside. Teachers report fewer disruptions on days with two shorter breaks. Researchers have found that movement improves memory and mood in adolescents. When we have time to run or walk, we come back ready to listen, and group games help shy students talk to new classmates. On rainy days, even a longer indoor break where we stretch or play quiet games makes a difference in how we feel. Our school day is already packed, but a schedule that includes a real break helps the rest of the lessons go faster. Parents also appreciate that their children are calmer at home after having time to release energy during the day.

Which sentence would be the best topic sentence for this paragraph?

I arrived early to the gym, carrying the shoebox volcano that I had painted the night before. I spread my poster on the table and smoothed the last strip of tape along the edge. The baking soda and vinegar were measured in two small cups, waiting under the table. I checked the wiring on the tiny light that was supposed to blink when the lava flowed. My best friend waved from across the aisle, and I gave a thumbs-up. I took a deep breath. The judge cleared his throat and asked the first question about my procedure. My mouth went dry as I tried to remember the order of steps, but I focused on the model and began to explain.

Which sentence would best connect the moment after I finish setting up to the start of judging?

Composting is an easy way to turn food scraps into nutrient-rich soil for gardens. When fruit peels, coffee grounds, and dry leaves break down, they create a mixture that helps plants grow. You can start by keeping a lidded container in the kitchen and emptying it into a backyard bin or a community drop-off site. My favorite superhero can fly faster than a jet, and his cape is bright red. To keep a compost pile healthy, balance greens like vegetable scraps with browns such as dried leaves or cardboard. Stirring the pile and keeping it slightly moist speeds up decomposition. In a few months, the dark, crumbly material can be mixed into flower beds or used to enrich potted plants.

Which sentence does not belong?

Keeping a simple checklist can make homework time shorter and less stressful. Start by writing down every assignment as soon as it is given, including small tasks like bringing a permission slip. Break large projects into smaller steps, and put a box next to each step so you can mark it done. Order the list by due date or by how long tasks will take. Then set a timer for a short work session, take a quick stretch break, and check off the box before moving to the next item. Post the list in a place you can see it, like the front of a binder or the corner of your desk. If you use the same routine every day, the list becomes a habit.

Which sentence would be the best concluding sentence for this paragraph?

Every morning, students spend time choosing outfits, which can turn into stress before the day even begins. Uniforms remove that pressure and help everyone focus on the first class instead of fashion. Families also save money when they are not trying to keep up with trends that change every season. A simple set of uniforms can last and be shared between siblings. In the hallways, uniforms make it easier for staff to recognize who belongs on campus, which supports safety. They also reduce teasing about clothes, so discussions in class are more about ideas. At school events, a consistent look helps build spirit and makes teams feel supported by the whole student body.

Which sentence would be the best topic sentence to add at the beginning of the paragraph?

Composting is a way to turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into nutrient-rich material for the soil. Good items for a compost pile include fruit peels, vegetable ends, coffee grounds, dry leaves, and small sticks. It is best to avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods because they attract pests and slow the process. A balanced mix of browns and greens keeps the pile working. Compost helps gardens hold moisture, supports helpful microbes, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. It also keeps food waste out of landfills, which cuts down on harmful gases. With regular turning and a little patience, the pile becomes dark and crumbly, ready to be spread around plants.

Which sentence provides the clearest transition between the description of composting materials and the explanation of its benefits?

Before sunrise, I wheeled my bike into the driveway and felt the cool air on my arms. The neighborhood race started in one hour, and my front tire slumped flat against the concrete. I grabbed the patch kit, found the tiny puncture by listening for a hiss, and roughened the tube so the glue would hold. The cafeteria serves pizza on Fridays. While the adhesive set, I checked my brakes and tightened a loose cable. When I pressed the patch into place, I counted to sixty and pictured the first turn of the course. The pump handle rose and fell, and the tire grew firm again. I clipped on my helmet and pedaled toward the starting line with time to spare.

Which sentence does not belong in this narrative paragraph?

Teenagers need more sleep than adults, yet many schools start classes before the sun rises. When students wake up very early, they are more likely to feel drowsy in first-period classes and less able to focus on lessons. Research shows that later start times are linked to better attendance, improved grades, and fewer tardies. Buses and activity schedules can be adjusted, as other districts have already demonstrated. In addition, starting later makes roads safer because students are not driving or biking while half asleep. Families benefit too, since mornings become calmer and more predictable. A schedule that matches teenagers' natural sleep rhythms helps them learn more and stay healthier.

Which sentence would be the best concluding sentence to add to the end of the paragraph for a school board audience?

Banana peels, coffee grounds, and wilted lettuce don't have to go in the trash. In a simple backyard bin, those scraps mix with dry leaves and air. Tiny organisms break them down into dark, crumbly material over several weeks. Turning the pile speeds the process because it adds oxygen. The bin should stay slightly moist, like a wrung-out sponge. When the compost is finished, gardeners spread it around plants. The mixture improves soil structure, helps it hold water, and slowly releases nutrients. Composting also keeps waste out of landfills, which reduces methane gas. With just a little attention, anyone can turn leftovers into something useful.

Which sentence would be the best topic sentence to add to the beginning of this paragraph?

Middle schools should start later in the morning so students can learn better. Research shows that adolescents need more sleep than adults do. When the first bell rings before sunrise, many students drag through class and struggle to focus. Also, their grades and attendance improve when schools push the start time closer to eight-thirty. One district that made the change reported fewer tardies and nurse visits. Teachers noticed students participating more, and parents said mornings felt less rushed. This is not a new idea, but it is an effective one. If we want students to arrive ready to think, we should schedule the day to match how their bodies work.

Which phrase should replace the word 'Also' at the start of the fourth sentence to improve the transition?