Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 405 · 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?
   
   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) ants (b) our classroom (c) our school sports day (d) the night sky
2. 2.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 rainy season (b) grandma's garden (c) my best friend (d) the night sky
3. 3.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
5. 5.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
6. 6.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
7. 7.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
8. 8.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
9. 9.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 vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
10. 10.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
11. 11.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
12. 12.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The railway station is always busy.
13. 13.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
14. 14.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) grandma's garden (b) a day at the beach (c) the school library (d) the night sky
15. 15.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
16. 16.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We must not waste water. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
17. 17.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) a visit to an old fort (b) my grandfather (c) grandma's garden (d) a cricket match
18. 18.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
19. 19.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
20. 20.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) a visit to an old fort (b) the school library (c) saving water (d) a day at the beach
21. 21.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) making a rangoli (b) the old banyan tree (c) our trip to the zoo (d) a day at the beach
22. 22.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 cricket match (b) a day at the beach (c) our postman (d) the old banyan tree
23. 23.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. A giraffe ate leaves from a tall tree. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
24. 24.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
25. 25.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
26. 26.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
27. 27.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) my best friend (b) making a rangoli (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the night sky
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 day at the beach (b) a busy railway station (c) saving water (d) elephants
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Trains arrive and leave every few minutes. Porters in red shirts carry heavy luggage. Loud announcements tell people about the trains. (a) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
30. 30.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) elephants (b) the rainy season (c) a busy railway station (d) my grandfather
31. 31.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) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
32. 32.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 vegetable market (b) the rainy season (c) the village fair (d) my best friend
33. 33.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) my new bicycle (b) our pet cat (c) the night sky (d) our trip to the zoo
34. 34.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 new bicycle (b) our classroom (c) our trip to the zoo (d) grandma's garden
35. 35.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) a cricket match (b) the old banyan tree (c) eating healthy food (d) the vegetable market
36. 36.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. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
37. 37.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ The waves splashed over our feet. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. We collected shells near the shore. (a) We must not waste water. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
38. 38.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) my grandfather (b) our school sports day (c) the school library (d) the night sky
39. 39.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) our postman (c) grandma's garden (d) my new bicycle
40. 40.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.

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