Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 40 · 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?
   
   ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. He carries a big brown bag of letters. The postman knows every house on our street. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
2. 2.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 railway station is always busy. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
3. 3.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
4. 4.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) the night sky (b) a busy railway station (c) saving water (d) making a rangoli
5. 5.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) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
7. 7.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ There is a giant wheel and a merry-go-round. Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
8. 8.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) We must not waste water. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
9. 9.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) the vegetable market (c) the school library (d) our school sports day
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The railway station is always busy.
11. 11.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
12. 12.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 pet cat (b) flying kites (c) a visit to an old fort (d) a day at the beach
13. 13.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) the school library (b) flying kites (c) our school sports day (d) a cricket match
14. 14.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) ants (b) our pet cat (c) the school library (d) my grandfather
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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) We must not waste water. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ First we draw the pattern with white chalk. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We must not waste water. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
19. 19.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
20. 20.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) a visit to an old fort (b) making a rangoli (c) elephants (d) flying kites
21. 21.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) saving water (b) ants (c) a cricket match (d) elephants
22. 22.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) my grandfather (b) the vegetable market (c) the old banyan tree (d) our classroom
23. 23.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
24. 24.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
25. 25.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 vegetable market (b) eating healthy food (c) my grandfather (d) our trip to the zoo
26. 26.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
27. 27.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    The monsoon is my favourite season. Dark clouds gather and rain pours down. Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) the rainy season (b) a visit to an old fort (c) elephants (d) the peacock
28. 28.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) a visit to an old fort (b) the vegetable market (c) a day at the beach (d) a busy railway station
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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
30. 30.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) the night sky (b) the village fair (c) making a rangoli (d) our postman
31. 31.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
32. 32.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) elephants (b) the night sky (c) the peacock (d) ants
33. 33.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. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The railway station is always busy.
34. 34.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 store food for the winter. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
35. 35.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 rainy season (b) the vegetable market (c) eating healthy food (d) our postman
36. 36.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
37. 37.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
38. 38.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
39. 39.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. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) We must not waste water.
40. 40.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.

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