Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 293 · 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 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) my new bicycle (b) my best friend (c) making a rangoli (d) the vegetable market
2. 2.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
3. 3.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
4. 4.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
5. 5.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
6. 6.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 walk one behind the other in a line. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
7. 7.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 village fair (b) grandma's garden (c) elephants (d) a visit to an old fort
8. 8.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
9. 9.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
10. 10.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 spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
11. 11.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) eating healthy food (b) a cricket match (c) our school sports day (d) my grandfather
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
13. 13.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 school sports day (c) my new bicycle (d) the old banyan tree
14. 14.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
15. 15.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 vegetable market (b) our trip to the zoo (c) our school sports day (d) the rainy season
16. 16.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
17. 17.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) my new bicycle (b) our trip to the zoo (c) our pet cat (d) our classroom
18. 18.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (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?
    
    ___ 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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
21. 21.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 vegetable market (b) elephants (c) my grandfather (d) making a rangoli
22. 22.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 vegetable market (b) my best friend (c) the school library (d) my new bicycle
23. 23.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 school library (b) the vegetable market (c) my new bicycle (d) a busy railway station
24. 24.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 vegetable market (b) elephants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the village fair
25. 25.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
26. 26.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
27. 27.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
28. 28.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
29. 29.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 railway station is always busy. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
30. 30.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
31. 31.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 night sky (b) flying kites (c) the rainy season (d) making a rangoli
32. 32.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) my new bicycle (b) the village fair (c) our pet cat (d) ants
33. 33.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. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
35. 35.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) ants (b) our classroom (c) the school library (d) a day at the beach
36. 36.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
37. 37.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 spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
38. 38.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
39. 39.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The railway station is always busy.
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.

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