Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 156 · 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?
   
   ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
3. 3.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 ride it to the park every evening. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
4. 4.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) saving water (b) my new bicycle (c) grandma's garden (d) the rainy season
5. 5.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) the school library (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my new bicycle
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
7. 7.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
8. 8.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) the old banyan tree (b) the vegetable market (c) the school library (d) ants
9. 9.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) grandma's garden (b) the village fair (c) our trip to the zoo (d) saving water
10. 10.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 best friend (b) saving water (c) the night sky (d) a visit to an old fort
11. 11.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
12. 12.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
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 vegetable market (b) saving water (c) our postman (d) grandma's garden
14. 14.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 classroom (b) my new bicycle (c) the school library (d) eating healthy food
15. 15.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) my new bicycle (b) our classroom (c) elephants (d) the night sky
16. 16.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
17. 17.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
18. 18.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
19. 19.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. The winners got shiny medals. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
20. 20.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) our classroom (b) the peacock (c) ants (d) eating healthy food
21. 21.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) the night sky (c) our pet cat (d) my grandfather
22. 22.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
23. 23.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) the village fair (b) the peacock (c) a cricket match (d) our classroom
24. 24.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
26. 26.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) We must not waste water. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
27. 27.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) our trip to the zoo (c) a day at the beach (d) the night sky
28. 28.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) a cricket match (b) the rainy season (c) grandma's garden (d) our school sports day
29. 29.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) the vegetable market (b) our school sports day (c) saving water (d) elephants
30. 30.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
32. 32.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) eating healthy food (b) a cricket match (c) the rainy season (d) flying kites
33. 33.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
34. 34.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
35. 35.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
36. 36.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) a visit to an old fort (b) my grandfather (c) the old banyan tree (d) our classroom
37. 37.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
38. 38.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
39. 39.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
40. 40.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) making a rangoli (b) the rainy season (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our pet cat

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