Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 354 · 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?
   
   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 village fair (b) our classroom (c) a visit to an old fort (d) the vegetable market
2. 2.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The railway station is always busy.
3. 3.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 visit to an old fort (b) a day at the beach (c) our school sports day (d) eating healthy food
4. 4.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
5. 5.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
6. 6.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) saving water (b) the village fair (c) grandma's garden (d) the night sky
7. 7.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) my best friend (c) my grandfather (d) the peacock
8. 8.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The railway station is always busy.
9. 9.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. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
10. 10.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
11. 11.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
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. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
13. 13.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) grandma's garden (b) a visit to an old fort (c) eating healthy food (d) our school sports day
14. 14.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) flying kites (b) grandma's garden (c) the village fair (d) elephants
15. 15.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
16. 16.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (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.
17. 17.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
18. 18.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
19. 19.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) grandma's garden (b) a cricket match (c) a day at the beach (d) the peacock
20. 20.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
21. 21.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
22. 22.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
24. 24.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
26. 26.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
27. 27.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) my best friend (b) a cricket match (c) the peacock (d) my new bicycle
28. 28.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) the peacock (b) eating healthy food (c) our classroom (d) our pet cat
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. We collected shells near the shore. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
30. 30.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) our trip to the zoo (b) the school library (c) our pet cat (d) grandma's garden
31. 31.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
32. 32.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
33. 33.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) the village fair (b) my grandfather (c) flying kites (d) a cricket match
34. 34.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
36. 36.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
37. 37.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) a visit to an old fort (b) ants (c) eating healthy food (d) our pet cat
38. 38.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
40. 40.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) ants (b) a busy railway station (c) the old banyan tree (d) my grandfather

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