Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 248 · 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?
   
   ___ We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
2. 2.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
3. 3.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) the old banyan tree (c) our school sports day (d) the rainy season
4. 4.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) saving water (b) our pet cat (c) elephants (d) the village fair
5. 5.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 old banyan tree (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the school library (d) making a rangoli
6. 6.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
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) eating healthy food (c) our school sports day (d) the old banyan tree
8. 8.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) the vegetable market (c) my new bicycle (d) the rainy season
9. 9.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. Our house won the tug of war. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The railway station is always busy.
10. 10.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
12. 12.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
15. 15.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. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We must not waste water.
16. 16.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
17. 17.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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
18. 18.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) We must not waste water.
19. 19.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) a day at the beach (b) a busy railway station (c) the night sky (d) my new bicycle
20. 20.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
21. 21.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
22. 22.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
23. 23.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
24. 24.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) a day at the beach (b) making a rangoli (c) our trip to the zoo (d) eating healthy food
25. 25.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
26. 26.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
27. 27.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
28. 28.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
29. 29.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) the rainy season (c) a busy railway station (d) our trip to the zoo
30. 30.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) eating healthy food (b) the peacock (c) our postman (d) saving water
31. 31.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
32. 32.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
33. 33.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
34. 34.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 rainy season (b) elephants (c) our postman (d) our trip to the zoo
35. 35.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
36. 36.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
37. 37.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) saving water (b) making a rangoli (c) elephants (d) the school library
38. 38.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
39. 39.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
40. 40.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. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.

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