Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 137 · 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?
   
   ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (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) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
2. 2.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) a visit to an old fort (b) elephants (c) flying kites (d) the vegetable market
3. 3.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
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. We place small lamps around the design. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
7. 7.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. Farhan and I play football after school. (a) We must not waste water. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
8. 8.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
9. 9.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) elephants (b) ants (c) the school library (d) the peacock
10. 10.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
12. 12.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) making a rangoli (b) our postman (c) my new bicycle (d) ants
13. 13.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) the school library (b) our school sports day (c) the vegetable market (d) my new bicycle
14. 14.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) the school library (b) the old banyan tree (c) eating healthy food (d) a day at the beach
15. 15.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
18. 18.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
20. 20.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
21. 21.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) a busy railway station (c) a cricket match (d) making a rangoli
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants store food for the winter. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
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) the peacock (b) our postman (c) our school sports day (d) a visit to an old fort
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
29. 29.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
30. 30.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) the rainy season (b) making a rangoli (c) our postman (d) elephants
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. We collected shells near the shore. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
34. 34.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) our postman (c) the rainy season (d) our pet cat
35. 35.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) a day at the beach (b) a busy railway station (c) grandma's garden (d) the school library
36. 36.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) our postman (b) flying kites (c) making a rangoli (d) our pet cat
37. 37.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) the school library (b) a busy railway station (c) a visit to an old fort (d) my grandfather
38. 38.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) grandma's garden (b) the rainy season (c) the peacock (d) my grandfather
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 is Farhan. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.

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