Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 320 · 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?
   
   ___ I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
2. 2.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) our trip to the zoo (b) the night sky (c) elephants (d) the village fair
3. 3.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
4. 4.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its branches spread very wide. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
5. 5.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) the village fair (b) our pet cat (c) the night sky (d) my best friend
6. 6.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 school library is my favourite place. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
8. 8.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) a busy railway station (b) our pet cat (c) the peacock (d) our school sports day
9. 9.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
10. 10.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) grandma's garden (b) our school sports day (c) ants (d) a cricket match
11. 11.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) my new bicycle (c) a visit to an old fort (d) eating healthy food
12. 12.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
13. 13.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
14. 14.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) making a rangoli (b) our classroom (c) a busy railway station (d) grandma's garden
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) ants (c) our postman (d) making a rangoli
16. 16.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
17. 17.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 classroom is bright and clean. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
18. 18.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
19. 19.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
20. 20.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
21. 21.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
22. 22.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 peacock (b) the village fair (c) a day at the beach (d) the rainy season
23. 23.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
24. 24.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) a visit to an old fort (b) saving water (c) eating healthy food (d) my best friend
25. 25.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) a cricket match (b) our trip to the zoo (c) our postman (d) grandma's garden
26. 26.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 village fair (b) the night sky (c) a visit to an old fort (d) my new bicycle
27. 27.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
28. 28.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
29. 29.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) ants (b) a busy railway station (c) my new bicycle (d) grandma's garden
30. 30.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) my new bicycle (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the village fair
31. 31.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We must not waste water.
32. 32.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) my new bicycle (c) the rainy season (d) our school sports day
33. 33.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) We must not waste water. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
35. 35.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
37. 37.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. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
38. 38.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) my grandfather (b) the vegetable market (c) the school library (d) a busy railway station
39. 39.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
40. 40.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.

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