Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 45 · 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?
   
   ___ The waves splashed over our feet. We built a big sandcastle. Dad bought us fresh coconuts. (a) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
2. 2.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) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
3. 3.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) The railway station is always busy.
4. 4.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
5. 5.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) the night sky (b) the old banyan tree (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the vegetable market
6. 6.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) our school sports day (b) the village fair (c) the vegetable market (d) a busy railway station
7. 7.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) elephants (c) flying kites (d) saving water
8. 8.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 peacock (b) the village fair (c) flying kites (d) ants
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Sometimes we spot a shooting star. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
10. 10.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Kunal bowled very fast. Our team scored fifty runs. Everyone cheered when we won the match. (a) We must not waste water. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
11. 11.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) flying kites (c) making a rangoli (d) our classroom
12. 12.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
13. 13.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) our classroom (c) the school library (d) the rainy season
14. 14.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) making a rangoli (b) a day at the beach (c) the old banyan tree (d) a busy railway station
15. 15.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 village fair (b) our classroom (c) the rainy season (d) the night sky
16. 16.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) my best friend (b) the night sky (c) our school sports day (d) saving water
17. 17.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ My grandfather goes for a walk every morning. Grandpa reads the newspaper after breakfast. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
18. 18.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) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
19. 19.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. We place small lamps around the design. (a) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
20. 20.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 night sky is full of wonders. (b) Our school library is my favourite place. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
21. 21.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
22. 22.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 grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
23. 23.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) the rainy season (c) a cricket match (d) the vegetable market
24. 24.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
25. 25.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) elephants (b) our pet cat (c) ants (d) our trip to the zoo
26. 26.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) the vegetable market (b) our pet cat (c) eating healthy food (d) the school library
27. 27.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) We must not waste water. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Farhan sits next to me in class. Farhan and I play football after school. He is a true friend who helps me. (a) My best friend is Farhan. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The railway station is always busy.
29. 29.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 street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
30. 30.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 pet cat (b) the night sky (c) the school library (d) our postman
31. 31.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) We must not waste water. (d) The peacock is the national bird of India.
32. 32.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 trip to the zoo (b) our school sports day (c) eating healthy food (d) the old banyan tree
33. 33.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (c) Our school sports day was full of fun. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
34. 34.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
35. 35.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) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
36. 36.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) My grandfather is seventy years old. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
37. 37.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 grandmother has a lovely garden. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
38. 38.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
39. 39.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
40. 40.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.

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