Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 281 · 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?
   
   ___ 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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
2. 2.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 school library (b) our pet cat (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the old banyan tree
3. 3.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. People bargain loudly over prices. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
4. 4.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) ants (b) the rainy season (c) flying kites (d) saving water
5. 5.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) eating healthy food (b) flying kites (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my best friend
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
7. 7.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
9. 9.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
12. 12.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
13. 13.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) our school sports day (b) grandma's garden (c) eating healthy food (d) our postman
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
16. 16.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) the vegetable market (c) grandma's garden (d) our postman
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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
18. 18.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) eating healthy food (b) our pet cat (c) elephants (d) a busy railway station
19. 19.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) flying kites (b) the night sky (c) making a rangoli (d) our trip to the zoo
20. 20.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
21. 21.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 railway station is always busy. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
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) the old banyan tree (b) the village fair (c) my grandfather (d) a day at the beach
23. 23.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) making a rangoli (b) my best friend (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our trip to the zoo
24. 24.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
25. 25.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
26. 26.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
27. 27.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) making a rangoli (b) my grandfather (c) the village fair (d) saving water
28. 28.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
29. 29.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 busy railway station (b) the vegetable market (c) eating healthy food (d) the rainy season
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. A green board hangs at the front. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
31. 31.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) the old banyan tree (c) our classroom (d) the peacock
32. 32.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) our classroom (c) a busy railway station (d) grandma's garden
33. 33.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
34. 34.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
35. 35.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
36. 36.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
37. 37.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
38. 38.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) a visit to an old fort (c) elephants (d) our school sports day
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My best friend is Farhan.

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