Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 174 · 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?
   
   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) flying kites (c) the school library (d) a busy railway station
2. 2.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
4. 4.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) ants (c) my new bicycle (d) grandma's garden
5. 5.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. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
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. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
9. 9.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) the peacock (c) the old banyan tree (d) the vegetable market
10. 10.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
11. 11.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) our pet cat (b) making a rangoli (c) a cricket match (d) my grandfather
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) my new bicycle (b) eating healthy food (c) our classroom (d) my best friend
13. 13.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
14. 14.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
15. 15.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 sports day was full of fun. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
16. 16.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) grandma's garden (b) our classroom (c) ants (d) saving water
17. 17.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) eating healthy food (b) elephants (c) the night sky (d) the village fair
18. 18.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 busy railway station (c) a cricket match (d) the village fair
19. 19.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) my new bicycle (b) a visit to an old fort (c) my best friend (d) the school library
20. 20.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) the old banyan tree (b) the school library (c) a day at the beach (d) our trip to the zoo
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. Farhan and I play football after school. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
22. 22.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
23. 23.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
25. 25.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
26. 26.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 best friend is Farhan. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
27. 27.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
28. 28.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. Children float paper boats in puddles. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
29. 29.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) eating healthy food (b) our classroom (c) a busy railway station (d) the rainy season
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
31. 31.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) the village fair (b) the old banyan tree (c) making a rangoli (d) eating healthy food
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) the rainy season (b) ants (c) our classroom (d) flying kites
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
35. 35.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The railway station is always busy.
36. 36.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) eating healthy food (b) the night sky (c) a cricket match (d) our trip to the zoo
37. 37.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
38. 38.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) our school sports day (b) the vegetable market (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the peacock
39. 39.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 night sky (b) the old banyan tree (c) the rainy season (d) saving water
40. 40.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) the village fair (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our postman (d) the vegetable market

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