Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 290 · 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?
   
   ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
2. 2.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) our school sports day (b) the school library (c) grandma's garden (d) our postman
3. 3.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) We must not waste water. (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.
4. 4.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 peacock (b) eating healthy food (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my best friend
5. 5.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. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
6. 6.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) ants (b) our school sports day (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the peacock
7. 7.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) my best friend (c) the vegetable market (d) ants
8. 8.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
9. 9.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. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
10. 10.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
11. 11.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
12. 12.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) flying kites (b) a busy railway station (c) making a rangoli (d) the village fair
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) my grandfather (b) the rainy season (c) grandma's garden (d) a cricket match
14. 14.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 peacock (b) the old banyan tree (c) my new bicycle (d) my grandfather
15. 15.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) a cricket match (b) the rainy season (c) the school library (d) our postman
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The railway station is always busy.
17. 17.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 school sports day (b) my best friend (c) elephants (d) our pet cat
18. 18.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) making a rangoli (b) a cricket match (c) our school sports day (d) the peacock
19. 19.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) our trip to the zoo (b) elephants (c) the village fair (d) grandma's garden
20. 20.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) flying kites (c) my grandfather (d) the school library
21. 21.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
22. 22.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
23. 23.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 old banyan tree (b) our classroom (c) our postman (d) the village fair
24. 24.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
25. 25.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
26. 26.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 vegetable market (b) a busy railway station (c) my new bicycle (d) our postman
27. 27.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We must not waste water.
28. 28.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
30. 30.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
31. 31.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We must not waste water.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
33. 33.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 trip to the zoo (b) my grandfather (c) my best friend (d) making a rangoli
34. 34.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 classroom (b) the peacock (c) eating healthy food (d) ants
35. 35.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
37. 37.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 must not waste water. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
38. 38.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
39. 39.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 peacock (b) the old banyan tree (c) the village fair (d) my new bicycle
40. 40.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.

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