Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 125 · 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.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
2. 2.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
3. 3.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
4. 4.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   My grandfather is seventy years old. My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) my grandfather (b) eating healthy food (c) the peacock (d) a day at the beach
5. 5.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
6. 6.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) our classroom (b) a day at the beach (c) grandma's garden (d) the school library
7. 7.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ The waves splashed over our feet. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
10. 10.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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) We must not waste water. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
12. 12.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    A fair comes to our village every winter. There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) our pet cat (b) my grandfather (c) the village fair (d) saving water
13. 13.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
14. 14.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
15. 15.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The railway station is always busy.
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The day began with a march past. I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
18. 18.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
20. 20.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our class visited an old fort on a hill. Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) grandma's garden (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the village fair (d) making a rangoli
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
22. 22.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) my new bicycle (b) ants (c) our school sports day (d) the peacock
23. 23.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The peacock is the national bird of India. It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) the peacock (b) the night sky (c) our school sports day (d) the rainy season
24. 24.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
25. 25.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) eating healthy food (b) making a rangoli (c) a day at the beach (d) my grandfather
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
28. 28.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
29. 29.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The railway station is always busy. Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) the rainy season (b) our classroom (c) my new bicycle (d) a busy railway station
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
31. 31.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The vegetable market near our house opens early. Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) my new bicycle (b) the rainy season (c) the school library (d) the vegetable market
32. 32.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
33. 33.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) We must not waste water.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
35. 35.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The night sky is full of wonders. Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) my new bicycle (b) the night sky (c) our school sports day (d) flying kites
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
37. 37.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Ramesh is the postman in our area. He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. The postman knows every house on our street. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) our postman (b) the rainy season (c) my grandfather (d) grandma's garden
38. 38.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) my best friend (b) the rainy season (c) a day at the beach (d) the school library
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 postman (b) the village fair (c) making a rangoli (d) the rainy season
40. 40.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) our school sports day (b) a busy railway station (c) eating healthy food (d) the school library

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