Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 253 · 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.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) a visit to an old fort (b) our classroom (c) grandma's garden (d) our pet cat
2. 2.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
3. 3.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
4. 4.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) the rainy season (b) grandma's garden (c) our school sports day (d) my grandfather
5. 5.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 school library is my favourite place. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
6. 6.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) my new bicycle (b) the village fair (c) elephants (d) the vegetable market
7. 7.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) a cricket match (c) a busy railway station (d) elephants
8. 8.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
9. 9.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. A green board hangs at the front. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) The railway station is always busy.
10. 10.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 peacock (b) eating healthy food (c) the rainy season (d) our postman
11. 11.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
12. 12.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
13. 13.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
14. 14.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The railway station is always busy.
15. 15.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) elephants (b) a busy railway station (c) our trip to the zoo (d) flying kites
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
17. 17.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) We must not waste water. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The railway station is always busy.
18. 18.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
20. 20.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. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
21. 21.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Ants are tiny but very hard-working. They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) our pet cat (b) my new bicycle (c) a day at the beach (d) ants
22. 22.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The railway station is always busy.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
24. 24.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) eating healthy food (b) a busy railway station (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our postman
25. 25.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
26. 26.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 day at the beach (b) the old banyan tree (c) the vegetable market (d) flying kites
27. 27.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
28. 28.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) a busy railway station (b) flying kites (c) the rainy season (d) the vegetable market
29. 29.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
30. 30.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
33. 33.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) elephants (b) our postman (c) our school sports day (d) flying kites
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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
35. 35.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) our trip to the zoo (b) grandma's garden (c) elephants (d) saving water
36. 36.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) the vegetable market (b) eating healthy food (c) the peacock (d) my new bicycle
37. 37.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) the peacock (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the school library (d) our classroom
38. 38.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
40. 40.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.

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