Paragraphs: Clark's grebe
The Grammar Bit!
Read the information about the Clarks’ grebe courtship dance opposite.
You will notice that the sentences are organised into three paragraphs. A paragraph is a collection of sentences based around a particular topic or idea. When the topic or idea changes, a new paragraph is needed. A long piece of writing is much easier to read if it is divided into paragraphs.
See if you can answer the following questions:
- Which paragraph is about the male grebe offering the female a gift?
- Which paragraph is about the grebes racing across the water’s surface?
- Which paragraph is about the grebes greeting each other?
Scintillating Sentences
The Dance of the Grebes
In the beginning, the female invites the male to join her in a dance. She bobs her head and dips beneath the water. The birds copy each other to show their commitment. They preen their feathers whilst swimming close together.
To show that he will be a good partner, the male gives the female a gift. He dips his head under the water and catches a fish. He offers the fish to the female. She accepts it in her beak.
The final highlight of the dance comes at the end. Both birds begin by looking at each other. Then they push their wings back and push up out of the water. Finally, they race across the water together.
Did you know?
There are 22 species of grebe. Grebes make their nests from plants found in the water. The nests float on top of the water. This is a photograph of a great crested grebe on its nest. How is this grebe different to the Clark’s grebe?