Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 262 · 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?
   
   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) a cricket match (c) the village fair (d) our postman
2. 2.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) ants (b) the vegetable market (c) flying kites (d) the old banyan tree
3. 3.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) our classroom (b) our school sports day (c) the vegetable market (d) my grandfather
4. 4.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) my grandfather (b) making a rangoli (c) the school library (d) a visit to an old fort
5. 5.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ 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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ The day began with a march past. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
8. 8.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) making a rangoli (b) my grandfather (c) eating healthy food (d) a cricket match
9. 9.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) our pet cat (b) the school library (c) ants (d) the village fair
10. 10.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) elephants (b) ants (c) grandma's garden (d) the village fair
11. 11.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 rainy season (b) a visit to an old fort (c) a busy railway station (d) the village fair
12. 12.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 school library (b) eating healthy food (c) a day at the beach (d) ants
13. 13.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
14. 14.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) the night sky (b) a cricket match (c) our pet cat (d) a visit to an old fort
15. 15.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
16. 16.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
17. 17.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) saving water (b) grandma's garden (c) my best friend (d) my new bicycle
18. 18.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
19. 19.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) making a rangoli (b) grandma's garden (c) ants (d) my best friend
20. 20.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) a visit to an old fort (b) my new bicycle (c) our classroom (d) the old banyan tree
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
22. 22.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) my grandfather (b) the rainy season (c) the peacock (d) a cricket match
23. 23.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) the rainy season (b) a day at the beach (c) elephants (d) the night sky
24. 24.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
25. 25.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
26. 26.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
27. 27.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. We may borrow two books every week. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
28. 28.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
29. 29.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
30. 30.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. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The railway station is always busy.
31. 31.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We must not waste water.
35. 35.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) a busy railway station (b) ants (c) grandma's garden (d) the rainy season
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
38. 38.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
39. 39.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
40. 40.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) saving water (b) grandma's garden (c) our postman (d) our pet cat

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