Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 113 · 40 questions

Writing tip (Main idea first): Read the detail sentences and ask: what are they ALL about? The topic sentence names that main idea in one sentence. A sentence about a different topic cannot open the paragraph, however nice it sounds.

1. 1.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Ants are tiny but very hard-working. They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) a visit to an old fort (b) the school library (c) a busy railway station (d) ants
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
4. 4.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Our classroom is bright and clean. It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) our pet cat (b) our classroom (c) grandma's garden (d) the vegetable market
5. 5.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   We have a pet cat named Mishti. She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) eating healthy food (b) the peacock (c) the rainy season (d) our pet cat
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
7. 7.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   My best friend is Farhan. Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) my best friend (b) the old banyan tree (c) a visit to an old fort (d) a busy railway station
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The day began with a march past. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
11. 11.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    I got a new bicycle on my birthday. It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) grandma's garden (b) the vegetable market (c) my new bicycle (d) the village fair
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
13. 13.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    An old banyan tree stands in our village. Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) the vegetable market (b) flying kites (c) my best friend (d) the old banyan tree
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The railway station is always busy.
16. 16.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Elephants are the biggest land animals. They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) my best friend (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the school library (d) elephants
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
18. 18.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    We spent a happy day at the beach. The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) a day at the beach (b) my grandfather (c) the vegetable market (d) our trip to the zoo
19. 19.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) a visit to an old fort (b) the vegetable market (c) eating healthy food (d) grandma's garden
20. 20.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our school library is my favourite place. It has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) the school library (b) my best friend (c) our postman (d) a visit to an old fort
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
25. 25.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our school sports day was full of fun. The day began with a march past. I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) our school sports day (b) the village fair (c) a cricket match (d) the peacock
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The railway station is always busy.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
30. 30.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    My grandmother has a lovely garden. Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) grandma's garden (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the village fair (d) the rainy season
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) We must not waste water. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
35. 35.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    In January, the sky fills with kites. Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) flying kites (b) our school sports day (c) our postman (d) our trip to the zoo
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
37. 37.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    We must not waste water. Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) saving water (b) a day at the beach (c) a cricket match (d) my grandfather
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
39. 39.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The monsoon is my favourite season. Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) our classroom (b) the rainy season (c) our pet cat (d) making a rangoli
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) We must not waste water. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.

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