Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 404 · 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 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 old banyan tree (b) the peacock (c) the vegetable market (d) a cricket match
2. 2.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 visit to an old fort (b) a day at the beach (c) saving water (d) our classroom
3. 3.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) elephants (b) the night sky (c) the vegetable market (d) a cricket match
4. 4.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
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) the vegetable market (b) our pet cat (c) the rainy season (d) the night sky
6. 6.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
7. 7.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
8. 8.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ My friend always shares his lunch with me. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
10. 10.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) a cricket match (b) grandma's garden (c) our classroom (d) the vegetable market
11. 11.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
12. 12.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
13. 13.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    My grandmother has a lovely garden. Red roses grow along the fence. She grows tomatoes and chillies too. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) the peacock (b) the rainy season (c) grandma's garden (d) our trip to the zoo
14. 14.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
15. 15.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) ants (b) my best friend (c) the vegetable market (d) flying kites
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Our desks are arranged in neat rows. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) We must not waste water.
17. 17.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) our postman (b) elephants (c) saving water (d) a visit to an old fort
18. 18.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Fix leaking taps quickly. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We must not waste water. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
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) the village fair (b) the rainy season (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my new bicycle
20. 20.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) grandma's garden (b) ants (c) the old banyan tree (d) flying kites
21. 21.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The railway station is always busy.
22. 22.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Grandpa tells us stories of his childhood. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
23. 23.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) ants (b) my new bicycle (c) our trip to the zoo (d) my best friend
24. 24.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) a cricket match (b) the village fair (c) a busy railway station (d) my grandfather
25. 25.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 new bicycle (b) the peacock (c) our postman (d) saving water
26. 26.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
27. 27.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. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. She sleeps in a basket near the window. Mishti chases balls of wool all day. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
29. 29.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
30. 30.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) flying kites (b) grandma's garden (c) my grandfather (d) our school sports day
31. 31.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
32. 32.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
33. 33.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Then we fill it with bright coloured powder. We place small lamps around the design. Our neighbours stop to admire our rangoli. (a) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
35. 35.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
36. 36.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) our classroom (c) a cricket match (d) my grandfather
37. 37.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 village fair (b) the rainy season (c) the peacock (d) eating healthy food
38. 38.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) our school sports day (c) a visit to an old fort (d) a busy railway station
39. 39.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. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.

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