Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 403 · 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?
   
   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) my grandfather (b) our school sports day (c) the school library (d) my new bicycle
2. 2.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
3. 3.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) elephants (b) the old banyan tree (c) a busy railway station (d) the vegetable market
4. 4.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 trip to the zoo (b) our classroom (c) a cricket match (d) our pet cat
5. 5.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) a visit to an old fort (b) our pet cat (c) my grandfather (d) the rainy season
6. 6.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) eating healthy food (b) the vegetable market (c) the night sky (d) our trip to the zoo
7. 7.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
8. 8.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 school sports day (b) a visit to an old fort (c) the peacock (d) making a rangoli
9. 9.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
10. 10.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
11. 11.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
12. 12.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) our classroom (b) our postman (c) my new bicycle (d) a visit to an old fort
13. 13.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
14. 14.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 old banyan tree (b) the peacock (c) the rainy season (d) the night sky
15. 15.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
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. We may borrow two books every week. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Fruits give us many vitamins. Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
19. 19.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) We must not waste water. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
20. 20.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) We must not waste water.
21. 21.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
22. 22.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) our school sports day (b) making a rangoli (c) my grandfather (d) my new bicycle
23. 23.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
24. 24.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
25. 25.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
26. 26.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) ants (b) a day at the beach (c) flying kites (d) our school sports day
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) our classroom (b) our pet cat (c) a busy railway station (d) the rainy season
28. 28.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
29. 29.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 night sky (b) a busy railway station (c) elephants (d) the vegetable market
30. 30.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. Our house won the tug of war. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
31. 31.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 new bicycle (b) my best friend (c) making a rangoli (d) our school sports day
32. 32.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) the vegetable market (c) making a rangoli (d) ants
33. 33.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) the rainy season (b) the peacock (c) my grandfather (d) our school sports day
34. 34.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
35. 35.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) our classroom (c) my best friend (d) eating healthy food
36. 36.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 school sports day was full of fun. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
37. 37.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
38. 38.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 school library (b) eating healthy food (c) saving water (d) ants
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. Everyone reads quietly in the library. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (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?
    
    ___ Its seat is soft and comfortable. I ride it to the park every evening. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.

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