Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 349 · 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?
   
   ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
2. 2.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) making a rangoli (b) ants (c) the school library (d) eating healthy food
3. 3.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) making a rangoli (b) a cricket match (c) the vegetable market (d) grandma's garden
4. 4.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
5. 5.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The railway station is always busy.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its branches spread very wide. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
7. 7.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
8. 8.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
9. 9.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
10. 10.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) the village fair (b) the night sky (c) elephants (d) a busy railway station
11. 11.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
12. 12.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) our classroom (b) the peacock (c) eating healthy food (d) my grandfather
13. 13.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) a day at the beach (c) the rainy season (d) our pet cat
14. 14.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 visit to an old fort (b) the vegetable market (c) our school sports day (d) a busy railway station
15. 15.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
16. 16.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) the rainy season (b) the night sky (c) a busy railway station (d) saving water
17. 17.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 best friend (b) the old banyan tree (c) my grandfather (d) the vegetable market
18. 18.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The railway station is always busy.
19. 19.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) grandma's garden (b) the school library (c) making a rangoli (d) a day at the beach
20. 20.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 postman (b) the village fair (c) a visit to an old fort (d) saving water
21. 21.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
22. 22.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) our classroom (b) our school sports day (c) the old banyan tree (d) my best friend
23. 23.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. Our house won the tug of war. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
24. 24.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
25. 25.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
26. 26.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) my new bicycle (b) the old banyan tree (c) the school library (d) the rainy season
27. 27.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The railway station is always busy.
28. 28.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 rainy season (b) our school sports day (c) my new bicycle (d) elephants
29. 29.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) our trip to the zoo (b) the rainy season (c) our postman (d) flying kites
30. 30.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
31. 31.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
32. 32.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
33. 33.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
34. 34.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) the night sky (c) eating healthy food (d) our postman
35. 35.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We must not waste water. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
38. 38.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
39. 39.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
40. 40.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.

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