Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 154 · 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?
   
   ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants store food for the winter. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
2. 2.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 sports day was full of fun. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
3. 3.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
4. 4.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) our classroom (b) a day at the beach (c) the peacock (d) the old banyan tree
5. 5.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
6. 6.What is this paragraph mostly about?
   
   Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) my grandfather (b) my best friend (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our school sports day
7. 7.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) a cricket match (c) a busy railway station (d) our trip to the zoo
8. 8.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
9. 9.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 classroom (b) flying kites (c) elephants (d) the school library
10. 10.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
11. 11.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 peacock (b) ants (c) making a rangoli (d) the rainy season
12. 12.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
13. 13.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) my grandfather (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the vegetable market
14. 14.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. The postman knows every house on our street. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
18. 18.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
19. 19.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
21. 21.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
22. 22.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) saving water (b) the vegetable market (c) the school library (d) the village fair
23. 23.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) saving water (b) the old banyan tree (c) ants (d) eating healthy food
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
25. 25.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) my grandfather (b) a busy railway station (c) a cricket match (d) a visit to an old fort
26. 26.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) making a rangoli (c) our pet cat (d) ants
27. 27.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
28. 28.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 rainy season (b) our school sports day (c) a day at the beach (d) our postman
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) saving water (b) the vegetable market (c) a cricket match (d) a busy railway station
30. 30.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
31. 31.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 railway station is always busy. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
33. 33.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) a cricket match (b) the vegetable market (c) elephants (d) the night sky
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We must not waste water. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
37. 37.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
39. 39.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
40. 40.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.

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