Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 365 · 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?
   
   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) our school sports day (c) my best friend (d) making a rangoli
2. 2.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) our postman (b) the vegetable market (c) making a rangoli (d) a cricket match
3. 3.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
4. 4.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) flying kites (b) eating healthy food (c) the peacock (d) a busy railway station
5. 5.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) The railway station is always busy. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
6. 6.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) eating healthy food (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our pet cat (d) our trip to the zoo
7. 7.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) a cricket match (c) the rainy season (d) a busy railway station
8. 8.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
9. 9.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
10. 10.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
11. 11.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) elephants (b) saving water (c) our school sports day (d) ants
12. 12.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) my best friend (b) my new bicycle (c) saving water (d) a day at the beach
13. 13.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 school sports day (b) our trip to the zoo (c) a busy railway station (d) eating healthy food
14. 14.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We must not waste water.
15. 15.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) We must not waste water. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
16. 16.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
17. 17.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 trip to the zoo (b) my new bicycle (c) the night sky (d) the rainy season
18. 18.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 day at the beach (b) a busy railway station (c) the school library (d) a cricket match
19. 19.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) my new bicycle (c) saving water (d) elephants
20. 20.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. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
21. 21.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 peacock (b) my new bicycle (c) the village fair (d) my grandfather
22. 22.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) the old banyan tree (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our postman (d) the village fair
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. 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 railway station is always busy. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
24. 24.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) We must not waste water.
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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The railway station is always busy.
26. 26.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) the rainy season (b) a visit to an old fort (c) making a rangoli (d) our trip to the zoo
27. 27.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) We must not waste water. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
28. 28.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
29. 29.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
30. 30.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
31. 31.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 rainy season (b) my best friend (c) a cricket match (d) a busy railway station
32. 32.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
34. 34.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
35. 35.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
36. 36.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
37. 37.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) saving water (b) a day at the beach (c) our pet cat (d) a busy railway station
38. 38.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
39. 39.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) saving water (b) the village fair (c) a day at the beach (d) the old banyan tree
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.

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