Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 335 · 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?
   
   ___ Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) We must not waste water. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
2. 2.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) flying kites (b) the rainy season (c) ants (d) our trip to the zoo
3. 3.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
4. 4.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
5. 5.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) my grandfather (b) flying kites (c) the old banyan tree (d) the school library
6. 6.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) a cricket match (b) grandma's garden (c) the village fair (d) a busy railway station
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) a visit to an old fort (b) making a rangoli (c) ants (d) a cricket match
8. 8.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
9. 9.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
10. 10.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
11. 11.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
12. 12.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 store food for the winter. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
13. 13.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) our trip to the zoo (c) my new bicycle (d) a cricket match
14. 14.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
15. 15.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) We must not waste water. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
16. 16.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) my grandfather (b) flying kites (c) a visit to an old fort (d) elephants
17. 17.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) elephants (b) the peacock (c) my new bicycle (d) our school sports day
18. 18.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) the rainy season (c) my best friend (d) our classroom
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
20. 20.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) eating healthy food (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the school library (d) our pet cat
21. 21.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) my best friend (b) saving water (c) our postman (d) my grandfather
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
23. 23.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
24. 24.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
25. 25.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) my new bicycle (c) the village fair (d) our classroom
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
27. 27.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) the school library (b) eating healthy food (c) the peacock (d) my best friend
28. 28.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 peacock (b) the village fair (c) the old banyan tree (d) my new bicycle
29. 29.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) the vegetable market (b) my new bicycle (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the peacock
30. 30.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) making a rangoli (c) elephants (d) my best friend
31. 31.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) a busy railway station (b) our postman (c) flying kites (d) ants
32. 32.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) a cricket match (b) my new bicycle (c) making a rangoli (d) the school library
33. 33.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
34. 34.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
35. 35.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) We must not waste water.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
37. 37.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 village fair (c) saving water (d) my new bicycle
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
39. 39.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
40. 40.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.

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