Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 337 · 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?
   
   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) the vegetable market (b) a busy railway station (c) elephants (d) our trip to the zoo
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
3. 3.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
4. 4.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
5. 5.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) We must not waste water. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
6. 6.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) my grandfather (b) my best friend (c) the old banyan tree (d) the night sky
7. 7.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) my best friend (c) our trip to the zoo (d) our pet cat
8. 8.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
9. 9.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) a visit to an old fort (b) eating healthy food (c) our classroom (d) my new bicycle
10. 10.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) a cricket match (b) elephants (c) my best friend (d) a day at the beach
11. 11.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) our pet cat (b) our postman (c) the village fair (d) a visit to an old fort
12. 12.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) a cricket match (b) my grandfather (c) eating healthy food (d) the school library
13. 13.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
14. 14.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
15. 15.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (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) a cricket match (b) making a rangoli (c) the village fair (d) my grandfather
17. 17.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
18. 18.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) We must not waste water. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
19. 19.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 peacock (b) a visit to an old fort (c) a busy railway station (d) my grandfather
20. 20.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 village fair (b) a cricket match (c) flying kites (d) a busy railway station
21. 21.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. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We must not waste water. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
23. 23.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) our pet cat (b) eating healthy food (c) a cricket match (d) the night sky
24. 24.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
25. 25.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
27. 27.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
29. 29.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) our classroom (c) the vegetable market (d) our pet cat
30. 30.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
31. 31.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
32. 32.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. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The railway station is always busy.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
34. 34.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
36. 36.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) eating healthy food (d) our pet cat
37. 37.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) our classroom (b) a busy railway station (c) our pet cat (d) a visit to an old fort
38. 38.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
39. 39.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) grandma's garden (b) the vegetable market (c) elephants (d) the old banyan tree
40. 40.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 monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.

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