Question
Look at the second body paragraph of the skeleton composition. Which part of the topic sentence shown supports the main idea (thesis) of the composition?
Introduction (ending with thesis): Almost all sports, whether indoor or outdoor, require stamina and physical fitness . . . Perhaps the most demanding sport requiring the most muscle stamina, heart strength, and lung action is marathon running.
First Body Paragraph: Although many sports provide very strenuous exercise, they do not utilize all the major muscles in the way that marathon running does . . .
Second Body Paragraph: Although it is a true that a runner may die from a heart attack, running in general actually strengthens the heart . . .
Third Body Paragraph: The most unique benefit marathon running provides is its variety of terrain that strengthens the runner's lungs and therefore stamina better than any other sport . . .
Conclusion (restates thesis): . . . Therefore, running builds muscle stamina, heart strength, and lung capacity better than any other sport.
although it is true
running in general
running in general actually strengthens the heart
that a runner may die from a heart attack
Introduction (ending with thesis): Almost all sports, whether indoor or outdoor, require stamina and physical fitness . . . Perhaps the most demanding sport requiring the most muscle stamina, heart strength, and lung action is marathon running.
First Body Paragraph: Although many sports provide very strenuous exercise, they do not utilize all the major muscles in the way that marathon running does . . .
Second Body Paragraph: Although it is a true that a runner may die from a heart attack, running in general actually strengthens the heart . . .
Third Body Paragraph: The most unique benefit marathon running provides is its variety of terrain that strengthens the runner's lungs and therefore stamina better than any other sport . . .
Conclusion (restates thesis): . . . Therefore, running builds muscle stamina, heart strength, and lung capacity better than any other sport.
although it is true
running in general
running in general actually strengthens the heart
that a runner may die from a heart attack
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The part of the topic sentence that supports the main idea (thesis) of the composition is "running in general actually strengthens the heart." This phrase directly ties into the thesis by emphasizing one of the key benefits of marathon running—strengthening heart health, which is part of the overall argument that marathon running builds physical fitness and stamina more effectively than other sports.