CBSE Class 7 English Building Paragraphs Worksheet

You can arrange the supporting details in a paragraph in several ways. One way is based on time. Chronological order places events in the order in which they happened. An easy way to order chronologically the events you are writing about is first to make a timeline of them. Make use of words that signal chronological order. These include the following: first, while, then, after, when, immediately, suddenly, finally, and last. Notice some of these words in the following paragraph:

I took my usual walk in the park today with Fifi. First we strolled through the rose garden. Then we stopped at the green bench for a brief rest. After resting a while, we walked all the way around the pond and back down Plum Street.
Eventually we became hungry, so we stopped for a lunch break under a big elm tree. Feeling full and content, I lay down for a nap in the grass. When Fifi’s barking woke me suddenly, I sat up, rubbed the sleep from my eyes, and looked around.
The sun was setting, signaling that it was time to go home. Once again, Fifi and I took off walking. This time, however, we headed straight for the park entrance. Walking quickly down the sidewalk, we finally arrived at our apartment.
 

Exercise 1 Write the words that signaled chronological order in the paragraph above.

First, Then, After, Eventually, When, Once again, finally
 

Exercise 2 Write the following list of events in paragraph form. Be sure the chronological order makes sense.

The water felt cold.
Then we took off our shoes and shorts.
First we put on our bathing suits under our shorts.
Once we got used to the water, we played in it for about an hour.
Then we walked to the beach.
Finally, it was time to go home.
While walking barefoot on the beach, we noticed seashells.
When we arrived, we spread out our towels.
On our walk home, we talked about the wonderful day.
After collecting shells, we waded into the water.

First, we put on our bathing suits under our shorts. Then we walked to the beach. When we arrived,
we spread out our towels. Then we took off our shoes and shorts. While walking barefoot on the beach,
we noticed seashells. After collecting shells, we waded into the water. The water felt very cold! Once 
we got used to the water, we played in it for about an hour. Finally, it was time to go home.
On our walk home, we talked about the wonderful day.
 

Exercise 3 Write a paragraph about what you did last weekend. Be sure events are in chronological order.

Building Paragraphs

Another way to order details in a paragraph is by using spatial order. When you use spatial order, you arrange details by their location or position. There are different ways to arrange details in spatial order. For example, your description may go from near to far, left to right, or low to high.

Some words that help show spatial order include the following: next to, on, below, above, across, near, far, out, by, through, over, between, away, left, and down. These words may appear as prepositions, adjectives, or adverbs.

The teapot on the stove whistled. (preposition)

The dog ran in a nearby field. (preposition, adjective)

The following paragraph is arranged in spatial order.

As I sat in the park on the green bench, I looked at Fifi to my right. Her paws were muddy from the dirt around the bench. She started barking when she noticed a German shepherd in the nearby field. The dog approached us and sat in front of the bench. I threw a stick and both dogs went running across the field. I watched them for a while from the bench, waiting to see which would return with the prize.

Exercise 1 Write the words that signaled spatial order in the above paragraph.

in, on, at, to, around, nearby, in front of, across, from

Exercise 2 Write the following details in paragraph form. Use spatial order that moves from near to far.

Farther to the right was the audio-visual section.
Near the entrance to the left was the circulation desk.
I stood at the entrance to the library.
At the end opposite the library’s entrance were stairs leading down to the
nonfiction books and up to the magazine area.
Just beyond the stairs was the back entrance, filled with works of art by local patrons.
To the right of the front door was the children’s room.
Past the circulation desk on the left were the reference room and the reading room.
Behind the circulation desk was the librarian’s office.

I stood at the entrance to the library. Near the entrance to the left was the circulation desk. Past the circulation desk were the reference room and the reading room. Behind the circulation desk was the librarian’s office. To the right of the front door was the children’s room. Farther to the right was the audio-visual section. At the end opposite the library’s entrance were stairs leading down to the nonfiction books and up to the magazine area. Just beyond the stairs was the back entrance, filled with works of art by local patrons.

Exercise 3 Write a paragraph describing the room you are in now. Use spatial order.

Building Paragraphs

In compare/contrast order, present details about two subjects by describing their similarities and differences. This can be done in two ways. You can discuss all the details about one subject and then about the other subject:

Fifi is a small black poodle. She has very short, curly hair. She is very quiet and stays away from people. She loves to be lazy and lie outside in the sun. Rex is a large brown and white collie. He has long, thick fur. He is very friendly and barks loudly. He loves to play fetch with a stick in the backyard.

Or you can do comparisons detail-by-detail, writing about both subjects at the same time:

While Fifi is a small black poodle, Rex is a large brown and white collie. Fifi has short curly hair and Rex has long thick fur. Fifi is very quiet and stays away from people. Rex is very friendly and barks loudly. While Fifi loves to be lazy and lie in the sun, Rex prefers to play fetch with a stick.
 

Exercise 1 Write the following details in paragraph form. Use compare/contrast order.

Bony fish are more common.
Fish can be divided into two groups: bony fish and cartilage fish.
Cartilage fish have skeletons made of cartilage.
The end of your nose is cartilage.
Bony fish have skeletons like human bones.
Both kinds of fish have fins and gills.
Only the teeth of cartilage fish are calcified like bones.

Fish can be divided into two groups: bony fish and cartilage fish. Bony fish are more common. They have skeletons like human bones. Cartilage fish, on the other hand, have skeletons made of cartilage, like the end of your nose. Only the teeth of cartilage fish are calcified like bones. Both kinds of fish have fins and gills.
 

Grandma Nora is quiet and dignified.
Grandma Hazel plays the piano.
Grandma Hazel works for a political organization.
Grandma Nora sings with a band.
Grandma Hazel is talkative and fun.
Grandma Hazel lives in Phoenix.
Grandma Nora lives in Chicago.
Grandma Nora works for a government agency.

Grandma Nora lives in Chicago. She works for a government agency and sings with a band. She is quiet and dignified. Grandma Hazel lives in Phoenix. She works for a political organization and plays the piano. She is talkative and fun.
 

Exercise 2 Write a paragraph that compares and contrasts your own interests and abilities with those of a friend.