Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 379 · 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 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) grandma's garden (b) the old banyan tree (c) the night sky (d) the vegetable market
2. 2.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) the rainy season (b) the old banyan tree (c) a cricket match (d) my grandfather
3. 3.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
4. 4.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. We watched the zookeeper feed the bears. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
5. 5.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) the peacock (b) eating healthy food (c) our postman (d) saving water
6. 6.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) the old banyan tree (b) making a rangoli (c) ants (d) a busy railway station
7. 7.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) flying kites (b) a cricket match (c) our postman (d) our school sports day
8. 8.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) the vegetable market (b) a busy railway station (c) making a rangoli (d) a day at the beach
9. 9.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) flying kites (b) the rainy season (c) my grandfather (d) a day at the beach
10. 10.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) a day at the beach (c) my grandfather (d) the old banyan tree
11. 11.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) the peacock (b) the rainy season (c) a busy railway station (d) elephants
12. 12.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
13. 13.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 library is my favourite place. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
14. 14.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
15. 15.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
16. 16.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
17. 17.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
18. 18.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) making a rangoli (b) grandma's garden (c) our trip to the zoo (d) elephants
19. 19.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
20. 20.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
21. 21.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) the night sky (b) making a rangoli (c) elephants (d) our postman
22. 22.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
23. 23.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has tall shelves full of storybooks. We may borrow two books every week. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
25. 25.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) the night sky (b) the village fair (c) our pet cat (d) ants
26. 26.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
27. 27.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Shoppers pick the best onions and potatoes. People bargain loudly over prices. By noon, most of the vegetables are sold. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
28. 28.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 school sports day (b) the vegetable market (c) a cricket match (d) our trip to the zoo
29. 29.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 peacock (b) our postman (c) my best friend (d) the school library
30. 30.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
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) We must not waste water. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
32. 32.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
33. 33.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
34. 34.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ 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 is Farhan. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
36. 36.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
37. 37.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) saving water (b) a visit to an old fort (c) our pet cat (d) the peacock
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
39. 39.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
40. 40.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) We must not waste water. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.

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