Which paragraph type explains a general statement through specific examples?

• A. Descriptive paragraph
• B. Narrative paragraph
• C. Illustrative paragraph
• D. Expository paragraph

Answer: (C)

Clarifying a general statement with concrete examples is what this item focuses on. An illustrative paragraph opens with a broad claim and then supports it by laying out specific instances, cases, or anecdotes that make the idea clearer in real life. The goal is to show how the general statement works when you see it applied, so readers can grasp the point more easily.

Descriptive writing aims to convey what something looks, sounds, or feels like, using sensory details. Narrative writing tells a story with events and characters. Expository writing explains or informs using facts, definitions, or processes. Among these, the approach that centers on using explicit examples to illuminate a general idea is the illustrative type. For example, if the general statement is that communities benefit from small acts of kindness, an illustrative paragraph might describe a neighbor mowing a lawn, a local volunteer helping at a shelter, and a student organizing a fundraiser, showing how those specific acts illustrate the broader point.