Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 242 · 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 has tall shelves full of storybooks. The librarian helps us find good books. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
2. 2.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
3. 3.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) my best friend (c) the old banyan tree (d) the peacock
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
5. 5.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 school sports day (b) saving water (c) eating healthy food (d) our postman
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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
7. 7.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 visit to an old fort (b) the old banyan tree (c) eating healthy food (d) saving water
8. 8.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
9. 9.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. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
10. 10.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) grandma's garden (b) the old banyan tree (c) a busy railway station (d) a day at the beach
11. 11.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    My best friend is Farhan. Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) flying kites (b) our postman (c) elephants (d) my best friend
12. 12.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
13. 13.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
14. 14.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) the old banyan tree (b) a busy railway station (c) elephants (d) flying kites
15. 15.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 peacock (b) the school library (c) the old banyan tree (d) ants
16. 16.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) ants (b) the night sky (c) our trip to the zoo (d) making a rangoli
17. 17.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 school library (b) a cricket match (c) a busy railway station (d) the rainy season
18. 18.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) grandma's garden (b) saving water (c) ants (d) flying kites
19. 19.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
20. 20.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) our postman (c) our school sports day (d) the school library
21. 21.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 busy railway station (b) the peacock (c) flying kites (d) a visit to an old fort
22. 22.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) elephants (b) the school library (c) eating healthy food (d) making a rangoli
23. 23.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) the old banyan tree (b) grandma's garden (c) my new bicycle (d) my grandfather
24. 24.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) my best friend (b) saving water (c) the vegetable market (d) the old banyan tree
25. 25.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 school sports day (b) making a rangoli (c) elephants (d) our trip to the zoo
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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
27. 27.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
28. 28.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
29. 29.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) our pet cat (b) our classroom (c) our school sports day (d) a cricket match
30. 30.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
31. 31.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
32. 32.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
33. 33.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
34. 34.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
35. 35.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
36. 36.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) elephants (b) eating healthy food (c) our school sports day (d) a cricket match
37. 37.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
38. 38.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) our school sports day (b) a day at the beach (c) a cricket match (d) the village fair
39. 39.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
40. 40.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (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.

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