Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 292 · 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) our pet cat (b) elephants (c) grandma's garden (d) the peacock
2. 2.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
3. 3.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) our trip to the zoo (b) the rainy season (c) our classroom (d) a busy railway station
4. 4.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
5. 5.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
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) saving water (b) a busy railway station (c) our postman (d) our trip to the zoo
7. 7.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. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. (a) We must not waste water. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
8. 8.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) a busy railway station (b) the school library (c) my new bicycle (d) the old banyan tree
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) We must not waste water. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
10. 10.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) We must not waste water. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
11. 11.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
12. 12.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) We must not waste water.
13. 13.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
14. 14.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) grandma's garden (c) the rainy season (d) saving water
15. 15.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
16. 16.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
17. 17.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 postman (b) grandma's garden (c) the school library (d) our trip to the zoo
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
19. 19.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 school sports day (b) our trip to the zoo (c) ants (d) saving water
20. 20.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 night sky (b) a busy railway station (c) the peacock (d) eating healthy food
21. 21.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) We must not waste water. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
22. 22.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
24. 24.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 village fair (c) our school sports day (d) making a rangoli
25. 25.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) a day at the beach (b) my new bicycle (c) my best friend (d) a cricket match
26. 26.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The railway station is always busy.
27. 27.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) the night sky (b) ants (c) the peacock (d) our school sports day
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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
30. 30.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
31. 31.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) the rainy season (b) elephants (c) our school sports day (d) our trip to the zoo
32. 32.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 sports day was full of fun. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
33. 33.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
34. 34.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) our school sports day (b) elephants (c) our postman (d) the night sky
35. 35.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
36. 36.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
37. 37.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) the rainy season (b) flying kites (c) saving water (d) my new bicycle
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
39. 39.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) my new bicycle (b) eating healthy food (c) ants (d) our pet cat
40. 40.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) eating healthy food (d) elephants

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