Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 330 · 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?
   
   ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
2. 2.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
3. 3.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
4. 4.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) grandma's garden (b) our postman (c) making a rangoli (d) our school sports day
5. 5.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) We must not waste water. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
6. 6.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
7. 7.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) the rainy season (b) making a rangoli (c) ants (d) a day at the beach
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ 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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The railway station is always busy.
10. 10.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (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?
    
    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) our pet cat (b) our postman (c) our school sports day (d) the vegetable market
12. 12.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
13. 13.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 peacock (b) elephants (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the night sky
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
15. 15.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 best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
16. 16.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 village fair (b) ants (c) the rainy season (d) the school library
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) a visit to an old fort (b) a day at the beach (c) the night sky (d) our pet cat
18. 18.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
19. 19.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) the peacock (b) a cricket match (c) a day at the beach (d) ants
20. 20.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) a visit to an old fort (d) our postman
21. 21.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) making a rangoli (c) our school sports day (d) the old banyan tree
22. 22.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. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The railway station is always busy.
23. 23.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) our school sports day (b) our trip to the zoo (c) our pet cat (d) my new bicycle
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
25. 25.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 old banyan tree (b) my grandfather (c) a busy railway station (d) grandma's garden
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
27. 27.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
29. 29.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 vegetable market (b) making a rangoli (c) a visit to an old fort (d) a busy railway station
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. We collected shells near the shore. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
31. 31.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
32. 32.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
34. 34.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) grandma's garden (b) the peacock (c) our pet cat (d) my new bicycle
35. 35.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) a busy railway station (b) grandma's garden (c) the vegetable market (d) a visit to an old fort
36. 36.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
37. 37.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 school sports day (b) my best friend (c) the night sky (d) eating healthy food
38. 38.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
39. 39.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) saving water (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the school library (d) a day at the beach
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (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) In January, the sky fills with kites.

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