Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 331 · 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 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) a cricket match (b) the rainy season (c) the old banyan tree (d) our classroom
2. 2.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) our pet cat (b) flying kites (c) our classroom (d) a visit to an old fort
3. 3.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
5. 5.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
6. 6.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) The railway station is always busy. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. Its tail feathers have beautiful eye spots. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
8. 8.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
9. 9.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) my best friend (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our school sports day (d) the vegetable market
10. 10.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
11. 11.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
12. 12.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
13. 13.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) We must not waste water. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
14. 14.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
15. 15.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
16. 16.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) the vegetable market (c) the night sky (d) the old banyan tree
17. 17.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
18. 18.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
19. 19.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
20. 20.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) my best friend (b) a cricket match (c) our school sports day (d) a busy railway station
21. 21.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) eating healthy food (b) making a rangoli (c) a busy railway station (d) ants
22. 22.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
24. 24.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) elephants (b) my new bicycle (c) my best friend (d) a day at the beach
25. 25.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) a visit to an old fort (b) the night sky (c) a busy railway station (d) the old banyan tree
26. 26.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
27. 27.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) We must not waste water. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
28. 28.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The railway station is always busy.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
31. 31.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) eating healthy food (b) the school library (c) our pet cat (d) our classroom
32. 32.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) saving water (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a visit to an old fort
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
34. 34.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
35. 35.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) our postman (c) the night sky (d) the vegetable market
36. 36.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) a cricket match (c) the village fair (d) the rainy season
37. 37.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) the vegetable market (b) our pet cat (c) my grandfather (d) the rainy season
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
39. 39.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
40. 40.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My best friend is Farhan.

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