Writing a section on Portia spiders' hunting for a non-chronological report | English

Starter quiz

What is the definition of a main clause?
- a group of words that does not contain a verb.
- a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense by itself ✓
- a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense by itself
Which of these is true about the Portia spider?
- It only hunts other spiders by abseiling down its web.
- It has different hunting strategies. ✓
- It cannot hunt other spiders.
Finish this sentence. The Portia spider eats ....
- 'spiders and insects' ✓
Match the verb to the reason the Portia spider uses it.
- abseiling
  
  ⇔
  
  to drop down behind its prey to surprise attack ✓
- plucking its web
  
  ⇔
  
  to imitate a trapped spider to lure its prey ✓
Match the main and subordinate clauses to the examples.
- main
  
  ⇔
  
  the Portia spider abseils behind its prey ✓
- subordinate
  
  ⇔
  
  so it can trick the other spider ✓
Which formal fronted adverbial could work in this pair of sentences? The Portia spider hunts other spiders. _________, it cannot hunt humans.
- 'However,' ✓

Select two things we always try to do when we write.
- Only write two sentences.
- Write sentences without saying them first.
- Only showcase one sentence type.
- Plan and say each sentence before we write it. ✓
- Showcase each sentence type we know. ✓
Which of these sentences is relevant to a section about the Portia spider's hunting?
- The Portia spider has brown fur.
- The predator imitates a trapped spider to lure its prey towards it. ✓
- The Portia spider has eight eyes.
What is the definition of a subheading?
- A subheading is a word, phrase or sentence used to introduce part of a text. ✓
- A subheading is the main body of the text.
- A subheading is a word, phrase or sentence used to describe an action.
- A subheading is a word, phrase or sentence used to label a picture.
Which of these is a subordinate clause?
- the spider plucks the web
- because the prey is tricked ✓
- the predator imitates a trapped spider
Which main clause coherently follows this main clause to make a complete compound sentence? 'The Portia spider is a skilled hunter'
- because it has different hunting strategies.
- and predator.
- , but it cannot hunt humans. ✓
Which sentence could coherently follow this sentence? 'The Portia spider abseils down behind its unsuspecting prey.'
- Interestingly, it can see the world in 3D.
- Also, it can eat spiders up to three times its size.
- Then, it attacks its prey with its poisonous fangs. ✓

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A subheading signals to the reader what the section is about.
A section about one feature of the report's subject contains specific facts and information to keep the reader engaged.
Writers choose varied fronted adverbials and different sentence types to ensure the text flows for the reader.
A section can be composed of one paragraph.
Sentences should be said aloud before writing to ensure they make sense and read back once written to check for errors.

Pupils may write their facts in an incoherent order.

Ensure pupils are following the order of the facts on their plans when writing full sentences.

Text flow - how a text is written to keep the reader engaged
Subheading - a word, phrase or sentence used to introduce part of a text
Compound sentence - a sentence formed of two main clauses and a co-ordinating conjunction
Complex sentence - a sentence formed of at least one main clause and a subordinate clause
Fronted adverbial - a sentence starter followed by a comma