Question

the following paragraphs have main ideas that may appear at various places within the paragraph. identify the topic sentence of each paragraph by filling in the correct sentence number in the space provided. 1. although most viewers think “reality tv” is a 21st - century phenomenon, the truth is that it actually began around seventy years ago. one show popular in the 1940s and 1950s was candid camera, which put people into unusual situations and filmed them without their knowledge. then the host would say, “smile! you’re on candid camera.” originally broadcast in 1948, candid camera is considered the first reality show. other 1940s shows, like ted mack’s original amateur hour and arthur godfrey’s talent scouts, featured amateur contestants and real - time audience voting. these programs are the ancestors of american idol and its countless spinoffs. 2. actors are nervous before a play. politicians are nervous before they give a campaign speech. athletes are nervous before a big game. surveys show that 76 percent of experienced speakers, such as novelists and lecturers, have stage fright before taking the floor. in other words, it is perfectly normal to be nervous at the start of a speech. your body is responding as it normally would to any stressful situation—by producing more adrenaline. this sudden shot of adrenaline is what makes your heart race, your hands shake, your knees knock, and your skin perspire. 3. if you walk down just about any city street in america, you will encounter countless billboards, posters, bumper stickers, and bus and cab displays, each with a separate advertising appeal. your kitchen cupboard is probably full of product packages and labels, each containing at least one sales message. go to the racetrack, and you will see two - hundred - mile - an - hour race cars carrying advertising worth $75 million per year. go to a tennis tournament, a jazz festival, or a golf match, and you will find corporate sponsors, such as the makers of cigarettes, sodas, or blue jeans. go to a movie, and you will find that marketers have paid a handsome sum to have your favorite stars use their products in the film. almost anywhere you go, you will encounter advertisements of all types and sizes reminding you to buy an endless stream of products.

Explanation:

1. The first - sentence introduces the main idea that reality TV started around seventy years ago, and the rest of the paragraph provides examples of early reality shows.
2. The fifth - sentence "In other words, it is perfectly normal to be nervous at the start of a speech" sums up the idea that being nervous before performing or speaking is normal, which is supported by examples of different people being nervous in various situations in the previous sentences.
3. The sixth - sentence "Almost anywhere you go, you will encounter advertisements of all types and sizes reminding you to buy an endless stream of products" concludes the idea that advertisements are everywhere, which is illustrated by examples of different places with advertisements in the previous sentences.

Answer:

1. 1
2. 5
3. 6