Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 186 · 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?
   
   ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
2. 2.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
4. 4.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) a day at the beach (b) my grandfather (c) ants (d) the peacock
5. 5.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
6. 6.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) We must not waste water. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
7. 7.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) We must not waste water. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
9. 9.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
10. 10.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
11. 11.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. People bargain loudly over prices. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
12. 12.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We must not waste water. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
13. 13.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 walk one behind the other in a line. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
14. 14.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) my new bicycle (c) the peacock (d) ants
15. 15.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) my grandfather (b) eating healthy food (c) flying kites (d) making a rangoli
16. 16.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
17. 17.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) a cricket match (b) the rainy season (c) the vegetable market (d) the village fair
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
19. 19.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) the village fair (b) the school library (c) a day at the beach (d) our trip to the zoo
20. 20.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. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
21. 21.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. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
23. 23.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 grandfather (b) making a rangoli (c) our school sports day (d) the rainy season
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
25. 25.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
26. 26.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
27. 27.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) ants (b) a visit to an old fort (c) saving water (d) our pet cat
28. 28.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
29. 29.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) my best friend (b) my new bicycle (c) making a rangoli (d) grandma's garden
30. 30.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
31. 31.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
32. 32.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) our classroom (b) our pet cat (c) a visit to an old fort (d) making a rangoli
33. 33.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 school sports day (b) my grandfather (c) ants (d) a cricket match
34. 34.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) our postman (b) making a rangoli (c) the night sky (d) elephants
35. 35.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
36. 36.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 library is my favourite place. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
37. 37.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. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
38. 38.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 have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The railway station is always busy.
40. 40.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) the vegetable market (b) saving water (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the night sky

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