Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 436 · 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?
   
   ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
2. 2.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Stalls sell bangles, toys and balloons. A magician does tricks for the children. We eat hot jalebis at the fair. (a) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
3. 3.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) a busy railway station (c) grandma's garden (d) our trip to the zoo
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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
5. 5.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
6. 6.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
7. 7.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) the rainy season (b) making a rangoli (c) our school sports day (d) our trip to the zoo
8. 8.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) elephants (b) the vegetable market (c) our pet cat (d) our trip to the zoo
9. 9.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) our school sports day (b) our postman (c) elephants (d) eating healthy food
10. 10.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
11. 11.What is this paragraph mostly about?
    
    In January, the sky fills with kites. Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) the vegetable market (b) elephants (c) flying kites (d) the rainy season
12. 12.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
13. 13.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
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) making a rangoli (b) our postman (c) grandma's garden (d) a busy railway station
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) a day at the beach (b) eating healthy food (c) my best friend (d) the rainy season
16. 16.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 visit to an old fort (b) the rainy season (c) flying kites (d) a day at the beach
17. 17.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) Our classroom is bright and clean. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The railway station is always busy.
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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) We must not waste water.
19. 19.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
20. 20.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
21. 21.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) my best friend (b) the rainy season (c) a cricket match (d) our classroom
22. 22.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 class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (c) The peacock is the national bird of India. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
23. 23.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) My best friend is Farhan. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) We spent a happy day at the beach.
24. 24.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) The peacock is the national bird of India. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
25. 25.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. Children float paper boats in puddles. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
26. 26.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
27. 27.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
28. 28.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) We must not waste water.
29. 29.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 school library (b) the village fair (c) a day at the beach (d) saving water
30. 30.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) eating healthy food (b) a visit to an old fort (c) elephants (d) our pet cat
31. 31.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) our pet cat (c) saving water (d) the village fair
32. 32.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
33. 33.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
34. 34.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ He brings letters and parcels every day. The postman knows every house on our street. We always thank the postman with a smile. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
36. 36.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) my grandfather (d) a cricket match
37. 37.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) my grandfather (b) our classroom (c) grandma's garden (d) ants
38. 38.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) The railway station is always busy.
39. 39.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) We have a pet cat named Mishti.
40. 40.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. The guide told us about the old kings. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.

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