Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 189 · 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?
   
   ___ Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) We must not waste water. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
2. 2.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) the vegetable market (b) our classroom (c) our pet cat (d) ants
3. 3.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
4. 4.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
5. 5.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) elephants (b) a day at the beach (c) our pet cat (d) flying kites
6. 6.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) flying kites (b) saving water (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the vegetable market
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
8. 8.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) a visit to an old fort (c) eating healthy food (d) flying kites
9. 9.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 night sky (b) our school sports day (c) a busy railway station (d) the school library
10. 10.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
11. 11.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) our pet cat (b) flying kites (c) the vegetable market (d) making a rangoli
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
13. 13.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
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) the school library (b) my best friend (c) a busy railway station (d) our classroom
15. 15.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
16. 16.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. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
17. 17.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 school sports day (b) our classroom (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the old banyan tree
18. 18.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
19. 19.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) the old banyan tree (b) the night sky (c) my grandfather (d) the peacock
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We saw a tiger resting on a big rock. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
22. 22.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
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 walk one behind the other in a line. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
24. 24.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 school library (b) a day at the beach (c) our postman (d) eating healthy food
25. 25.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 railway station is always busy. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
26. 26.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
27. 27.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We must not waste water.
28. 28.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. The postman knows every house on our street. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
30. 30.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
31. 31.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
32. 32.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
33. 33.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
35. 35.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
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) a cricket match (b) our trip to the zoo (c) making a rangoli (d) a day at the beach
37. 37.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
38. 38.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 old banyan tree (b) a cricket match (c) the rainy season (d) our school sports day
39. 39.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) ants (b) a busy railway station (c) a day at the beach (d) the peacock
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.

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