Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 34 · 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?
   
   ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
2. 2.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
3. 3.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) We must not waste water. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
4. 4.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) our school sports day (b) grandma's garden (c) our postman (d) the night sky
5. 5.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ The librarian helps us find good books. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
7. 7.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) saving water (b) making a rangoli (c) the old banyan tree (d) our pet cat
8. 8.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) the school library (b) flying kites (c) our school sports day (d) the village fair
9. 9.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
10. 10.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) 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.
11. 11.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
13. 13.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) a cricket match (c) the vegetable market (d) our pet cat
14. 14.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) We must not waste water. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
15. 15.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
16. 16.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
17. 17.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) the night sky (b) the village fair (c) my best friend (d) grandma's garden
18. 18.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) the peacock (c) the old banyan tree (d) our pet cat
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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
20. 20.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) the rainy season (c) our classroom (d) our trip to the zoo
21. 21.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
22. 22.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. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
25. 25.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
26. 26.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) our trip to the zoo (b) our school sports day (c) a busy railway station (d) the village fair
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Our team scored fifty runs. Imran took the last wicket. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
28. 28.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The railway station is always busy.
29. 29.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
30. 30.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
31. 31.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
32. 32.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 classroom (c) my grandfather (d) the night sky
33. 33.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) We must not waste water. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Sellers pile fresh vegetables on their carts. Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
35. 35.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
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) We must not waste water. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
37. 37.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
38. 38.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
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) my best friend (c) my grandfather (d) a cricket match
40. 40.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) my new bicycle (b) the vegetable market (c) saving water (d) ants

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