Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 363 · 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?
   
   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) elephants (b) ants (c) the rainy season (d) the school library
2. 2.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) the village fair (b) my best friend (c) our pet cat (d) a busy railway station
3. 3.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
4. 4.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
5. 5.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
6. 6.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 night sky (b) a busy railway station (c) our school sports day (d) the village fair
7. 7.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
9. 9.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. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
10. 10.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
11. 11.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    I got a new bicycle on my birthday. It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) our pet cat (b) the rainy season (c) our classroom (d) my new bicycle
12. 12.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) a busy railway station (b) a cricket match (c) the rainy season (d) flying kites
13. 13.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) my grandfather (b) our pet cat (c) the peacock (d) making a rangoli
14. 14.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) a busy railway station (c) grandma's garden (d) eating healthy food
15. 15.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) our trip to the zoo (b) our pet cat (c) a cricket match (d) flying kites
16. 16.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 school library (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the old banyan tree (d) my best friend
17. 17.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) flying kites (b) our classroom (c) our pet cat (d) our trip to the zoo
18. 18.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) a busy railway station (b) ants (c) my new bicycle (d) the school library
19. 19.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
20. 20.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We must not waste water. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
22. 22.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
23. 23.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) We must not waste water. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
24. 24.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
25. 25.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) grandma's garden (b) our pet cat (c) ants (d) the village fair
26. 26.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
29. 29.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
30. 30.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The monkeys jumped from branch to branch. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
32. 32.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
34. 34.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
35. 35.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 busy railway station (c) our school sports day (d) flying kites
36. 36.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) eating healthy food (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the school library (d) flying kites
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
39. 39.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. My friend always shares his lunch with me. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) The railway station is always busy.
40. 40.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 night sky (b) our school sports day (c) flying kites (d) my grandfather

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