Directions: Consider the following four sentences. Decide whether each is a topic sentence, and if so, whether it's an appropriate topic sentence for a comparison/contrast paragraph. Although both Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera got their start in show business on Disney's Mickey Mouse Club, their careers have taken very different paths. This is: A topic sentence for a comparison/contrast paragraph A topic sentence, but not for a comparison/contrast paragraph Not a topic sentence All great artists must endure a great personal struggle at some point in their lives. This is: A topic sentence for a comparison/contrast paragraph A topic sentence, but not for a comparison/contrast paragraph Not a topic sentence The December 11, 2009, performance of Sir Frederick Ashton's Cinderella ballet opened with a stage full of gorgeously costumed dancers; the costumes ranged from wispy, transparent fairy skirts to the hilarious and ill-fitting dresses of the evil stepsisters. This is: A topic sentence for a comparison/contrast paragraph A topic sentence, but not for a comparison/contrast paragraph Not a topic sentence Although written from very different perspectives, Frank McCourt's Angela's Ashes and Jeannette Wall's The Glass Castle share several touching similarities about the challenges of growing up poor. This is: A topic sentence for a comparison/contrast paragraph A topic sentence, but not for a comparison/contrast paragraph Not a topic sentence