HSPT: Supporting details: keep the paragraph on its job
Learn to name a paragraph's purpose and pick the detail that serves it, or spot the sentence that doesn't belong.
How do you tell which sentence really supports a paragraph when every choice is true?
Short answer
Name the paragraph's job in a few words and turn it into a question. The best detail answers that question. The sentence to remove answers nothing, even if it mentions the same place or people.
Know first: Topic and main idea, Reading a short paragraph for its point
Step 1 of 5
Every paragraph has one job
A paragraph might argue for a change, explain how something was done, compare two things or tell events in order. A sentence supports the paragraph only if it helps with that job.
That's why these questions are tricky. Every choice is usually true, and several mention the same place or people. Some sound interesting. None of that matters. The only test is whether the sentence moves the paragraph's job forward.
You'll see the skill asked two ways: Which detail best supports...? and Which sentence should be removed? The test is the same for both.
| Paragraph's job | Question to ask | A detail that answers it |
|---|---|---|
| Argue for a change | Why is the change needed? | The only crosswalk near the park is a mile from most homes. |
| Explain how something was done | What steps did they take? | First, the club mapped every streetlight that was out. |
| Compare two things | How do they differ on the points named? | The paper guide costs $3, while the app is free. |
| Tell events in order | What happened next? | An hour later, the ferry finally docked. |
| Describe benefits | How does it help? | Stretching before a run loosens tight muscles. |
The question stem usually tells you the job. Read it before the choices.
Step 2 of 5
Ask the paragraph's question of every choice
Worked example: A morning walking club
A paragraph argues that the school should start a morning walking club. Which detail best supports that argument?
- AThe track behind the gym was resurfaced three years ago.
- BDuring a trial week, students who walked before class said they felt more alert in first period.
- CWalking is a popular hobby in many countries.
- DThe gym teacher owns several pairs of running shoes.
- 1
Name the job
The paragraph argues for a walking club at this school.
- 2
Turn it into a question
Why should the school start one?
- 3
Test each choice
Only the trial-week detail answers the question. It shows a real benefit for students at this school.
- 4
Where the wrong choices come from
The track sentence names a place at the school but gives no reason for a club. The hobby sentence is on topic but general, with nothing about this school. The running-shoes sentence mentions a teacher and exercise, and it still gives no reason at all.
Answer
The trial-week detail. It's the only choice that answers why should the school start a walking club?
Find the wrong step
A paragraph explains how a class raised money for new library books. Which sentence should be removed? (A) The class sold handmade bookmarks at lunch for two weeks. (B) They also held a used-book swap that charged a dollar per trade. (C) The school library has tall windows that face the courtyard. (D) Together, the two events raised enough to buy thirty new books.
- 1
Names the job: explain how the class raised the money.
- 2
Decides (D) should go, because it gives a result and isn't one of the fundraising steps.
What went wrong
A result finishes the story of how the money was raised. A how paragraph can include the outcome of its steps.
- 3
Picks (D).
The fix
Ask the paragraph's question of each sentence. (A), (B) and (D) all help explain how the money was raised. (C) mentions the library, but its windows explain nothing about the fundraiser. The answer is (C).
Step 3 of 5
Try it yourself
Check yourself · Question 1
A paragraph explains how to care for a new houseplant. Which sentence should be removed as least relevant?
Answer: C
The paragraph's question is How do you care for the plant? Three choices are care steps. The ceramic frog is about plants in a loose way but tells you nothing about care.
Check yourself · Question 2
A report compares two ways to get to school, the city bus and biking, by travel time and cost. Which detail contributes most to the comparison?
Answer: B
The report's question is How do the two ways differ in time and cost? Only one choice gives time and cost for both.
Trap answer: Riding a bike is good exercise.
On topic, wrong job
- Why it looks right
- It's true, it's about biking, and it sounds like a strong point in favor of one option.
- Why it's wrong
- The report has a narrower job: compare time and cost. Exercise is neither, and it covers only one of the two ways.
- The right answer
- The detail that gives time and cost for both the bus and the bike.
Common mistake
I picked the sentence that mentioned the same place as the paragraph.
- Why it's tempting
- Matching words make a sentence look connected, especially when you're moving fast.
- Do this instead
- Matching words aren't support. Ask the paragraph's question and keep only the sentence that answers it.
Step 4 of 5
What to remember
Remember
- Name the paragraph's job and turn it into a question.
- The best detail answers that question with something specific. The sentence to remove answers nothing.
- Sharing a place, a person or a topic with the paragraph doesn't make a sentence support it.
Step 5 of 5
Practice on a real question
Use what you just learned on this question, then check the explanation.
In your own words
What was the paragraph's job in the practice question, and what question did the correct sentence answer?