Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 336 · 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?
   
   ___ The day began with a march past. I ran in the hundred-metre race. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
2. 2.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
3. 3.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) a visit to an old fort (c) my best friend (d) elephants
4. 4.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
5. 5.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
6. 6.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 school sports day (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our pet cat
7. 7.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) our postman (b) my grandfather (c) the night sky (d) saving water
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. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
9. 9.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) our classroom (b) my grandfather (c) a day at the beach (d) our trip to the zoo
10. 10.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) saving water (b) our postman (c) the night sky (d) flying kites
11. 11.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) our classroom (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the rainy season (d) the vegetable market
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
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) eating healthy food (b) saving water (c) the peacock (d) the old banyan tree
14. 14.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 must not waste water. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
15. 15.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. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
16. 16.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
17. 17.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 busy railway station (b) our postman (c) a day at the beach (d) the peacock
18. 18.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    We spent a happy day at the beach. The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) a day at the beach (b) elephants (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our pet cat
19. 19.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
20. 20.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
21. 21.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
22. 22.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) making a rangoli (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our school sports day (d) grandma's garden
23. 23.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) making a rangoli (b) our school sports day (c) grandma's garden (d) our postman
24. 24.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 rainy season (b) a cricket match (c) the peacock (d) saving water
25. 25.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
26. 26.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
27. 27.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
28. 28.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 night sky (b) the vegetable market (c) a day at the beach (d) my best friend
29. 29.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
30. 30.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 oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
31. 31.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
32. 32.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
33. 33.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
34. 34.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) flying kites (b) the rainy season (c) making a rangoli (d) a cricket match
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) our classroom (b) the village fair (c) the old banyan tree (d) the school library
36. 36.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 railway station is always busy. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
37. 37.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
38. 38.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. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
39. 39.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
40. 40.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The railway station is always busy.

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