Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 235 · 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?
   
   ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. (a) We must not waste water. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
2. 2.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) making a rangoli (b) grandma's garden (c) our postman (d) our classroom
3. 3.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) a day at the beach (b) flying kites (c) a cricket match (d) eating healthy food
4. 4.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 pet cat (b) the night sky (c) our postman (d) grandma's garden
5. 5.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
6. 6.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
7. 7.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) the rainy season (c) our school sports day (d) grandma's garden
8. 8.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
9. 9.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
10. 10.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
11. 11.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 new bicycle (b) the rainy season (c) a busy railway station (d) our school sports day
12. 12.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
13. 13.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
14. 14.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
15. 15.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) eating healthy food (b) the old banyan tree (c) the peacock (d) my best friend
16. 16.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) ants (b) our classroom (c) the vegetable market (d) the rainy season
17. 17.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
18. 18.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) the vegetable market (b) a cricket match (c) my new bicycle (d) saving water
19. 19.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The railway station is always busy.
20. 20.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) We must not waste water. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
21. 21.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 classroom is bright and clean. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
22. 22.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) my grandfather (b) the village fair (c) our postman (d) a busy railway station
23. 23.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
24. 24.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
25. 25.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
26. 26.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) our postman (b) our trip to the zoo (c) saving water (d) my new bicycle
27. 27.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) We must not waste water. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
28. 28.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) eating healthy food (b) saving water (c) the night sky (d) a busy railway station
29. 29.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The railway station is always busy.
30. 30.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) a visit to an old fort (c) the vegetable market (d) my grandfather
31. 31.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) a busy railway station (b) my grandfather (c) a visit to an old fort (d) elephants
32. 32.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
33. 33.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) our trip to the zoo (b) the night sky (c) my new bicycle (d) grandma's garden
34. 34.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
35. 35.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) the rainy season (b) our pet cat (c) the night sky (d) the peacock
36. 36.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. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
37. 37.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 night sky (c) saving water (d) elephants
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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
39. 39.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
40. 40.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) a busy railway station (c) my best friend (d) our trip to the zoo

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