Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 284 · 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?
   
   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) grandma's garden (b) my new bicycle (c) my best friend (d) our trip to the zoo
2. 2.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 cricket match (b) our pet cat (c) my best friend (d) ants
3. 3.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) our pet cat (b) the old banyan tree (c) flying kites (d) ants
4. 4.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
5. 5.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) eating healthy food (b) a day at the beach (c) my grandfather (d) our classroom
6. 6.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
7. 7.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
8. 8.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
9. 9.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
10. 10.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) grandma's garden (b) the vegetable market (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our school sports day
11. 11.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 rainy season (b) our postman (c) saving water (d) the village fair
12. 12.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
13. 13.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) eating healthy food (d) my best friend
14. 14.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) the vegetable market (b) ants (c) the old banyan tree (d) my best friend
15. 15.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
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) the night sky (b) a busy railway station (c) saving water (d) my best friend
17. 17.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) the village fair (b) the night sky (c) the rainy season (d) saving water
18. 18.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
20. 20.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
21. 21.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
22. 22.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 vegetable market (b) our classroom (c) my grandfather (d) the school library
23. 23.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 ride it to the park every evening. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
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. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
25. 25.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
26. 26.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) flying kites (b) our pet cat (c) the peacock (d) grandma's garden
27. 27.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) our classroom (b) eating healthy food (c) my new bicycle (d) a busy railway station
28. 28.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) elephants (c) our school sports day (d) my best friend
29. 29.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) our postman (c) the village fair (d) a cricket match
30. 30.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) a day at the beach (d) a busy railway station
31. 31.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
32. 32.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
33. 33.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. The postman knows every house on our street. (a) We must not waste water. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
34. 34.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
35. 35.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) our school sports day (b) our trip to the zoo (c) my grandfather (d) the village fair
36. 36.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) our classroom (b) the peacock (c) making a rangoli (d) eating healthy food
37. 37.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
38. 38.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
39. 39.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
40. 40.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The railway station is always busy.

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