Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 406 · 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?
   
   ___ She has soft white fur and green eyes. Mishti drinks milk from a blue bowl. She sleeps in a basket near the window. (a) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
2. 2.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) We must not waste water. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
3. 3.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) We must not waste water. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The vegetable market near our house opens early.
4. 4.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
5. 5.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) the peacock (b) my grandfather (c) our pet cat (d) my best friend
6. 6.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) making a rangoli (b) grandma's garden (c) saving water (d) the rainy season
7. 7.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) grandma's garden (b) elephants (c) our postman (d) a day at the beach
8. 8.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) our pet cat (c) my new bicycle (d) a visit to an old fort
9. 9.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
10. 10.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) my new bicycle (b) making a rangoli (c) a visit to an old fort (d) a busy railway station
11. 11.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. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
12. 12.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) my new bicycle (b) the peacock (c) eating healthy food (d) the rainy season
13. 13.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) a day at the beach (c) our pet cat (d) making a rangoli
14. 14.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) flying kites (b) my best friend (c) the old banyan tree (d) a cricket match
15. 15.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
16. 16.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
17. 17.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) our school sports day (b) a visit to an old fort (c) saving water (d) the peacock
18. 18.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
19. 19.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) We must not waste water. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
20. 20.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. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
21. 21.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) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
22. 22.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) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
23. 23.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) a day at the beach (b) the village fair (c) our school sports day (d) the peacock
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Red roses grow along the fence. She sprinkles the plants every morning. Butterflies visit the marigold flowers. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
25. 25.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) eating healthy food (c) flying kites (d) my grandfather
26. 26.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
27. 27.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
28. 28.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
29. 29.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ They have long trunks and big ears. An elephant picks up food with its trunk. Baby elephants stay close to their mothers. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
30. 30.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
31. 31.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) our school sports day (b) elephants (c) making a rangoli (d) our trip to the zoo
32. 32.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) We must not waste water. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
33. 33.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) my grandfather (b) grandma's garden (c) flying kites (d) saving water
34. 34.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 cricket match (b) the night sky (c) the peacock (d) a day at the beach
35. 35.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Milk and curd make our bones strong. Dal and eggs build strong muscles. Too many sweets are bad for our teeth. (a) Our school library is my favourite place. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
36. 36.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
37. 37.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 grandfather (b) our school sports day (c) the peacock (d) our pet cat
38. 38.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It has big windows that let in sunlight. A green board hangs at the front. We keep our classroom tidy every day. (a) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
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. A magician does tricks for the children. (a) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.

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