Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 389 · 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?
   
   ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
2. 2.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We must not waste water.
3. 3.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) the old banyan tree (b) our school sports day (c) ants (d) flying kites
4. 4.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 pet cat (b) the village fair (c) a visit to an old fort (d) a day at the beach
5. 5.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
6. 6.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
7. 7.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) our school sports day (b) a day at the beach (c) the peacock (d) ants
8. 8.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
9. 9.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) ants (c) saving water (d) the peacock
10. 10.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 village fair (b) grandma's garden (c) a visit to an old fort (d) our classroom
11. 11.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 school library is my favourite place. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
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) making a rangoli (b) the village fair (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a cricket match
13. 13.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
14. 14.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ I ran in the hundred-metre race. Our house won the tug of war. The winners got shiny medals. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
15. 15.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) eating healthy food (b) flying kites (c) a visit to an old fort (d) my grandfather
16. 16.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
17. 17.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) elephants (b) a cricket match (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a day at the beach
18. 18.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
19. 19.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) We must not waste water. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
21. 21.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
22. 22.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
23. 23.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) grandma's garden (b) my best friend (c) our school sports day (d) our trip to the zoo
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has a long, bright blue neck. A peacock dances with its feathers spread. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
25. 25.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) grandma's garden (b) our pet cat (c) eating healthy food (d) our school sports day
26. 26.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) making a rangoli (b) the village fair (c) our classroom (d) a busy railway station
27. 27.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) We must not waste water. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They live together in an anthill. Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
30. 30.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) my grandfather (b) grandma's garden (c) the school library (d) the vegetable market
31. 31.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) We must not waste water. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
32. 32.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) our postman (c) ants (d) the village fair
33. 33.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) the night sky (c) grandma's garden (d) my best friend
34. 34.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
35. 35.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) a busy railway station (b) a day at the beach (c) our classroom (d) the vegetable market
36. 36.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
38. 38.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 peacock (b) making a rangoli (c) the old banyan tree (d) the rainy season
39. 39.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) the vegetable market (b) my best friend (c) the rainy season (d) my new bicycle
40. 40.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.

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