Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 451 · 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?
   
   ___ Turn off the tap while you brush. Use a bucket, not a pipe, to wash the car. Take a quick bath with one bucket of water. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We must not waste water. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
2. 2.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) grandma's garden (b) a busy railway station (c) ants (d) elephants
3. 3.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ Frogs croak loudly in the wet fields. Children float paper boats in puddles. The monsoon turns the dry fields green. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) My best friend is Farhan. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
4. 4.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 store food for the winter. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
5. 5.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) elephants (c) grandma's garden (d) making a rangoli
6. 6.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) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (b) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
7. 7.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) 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) The monsoon is my favourite season.
8. 8.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. Elephants eat grass, leaves and fruit. (a) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
9. 9.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
   
   ___ 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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
10. 10.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 school library (b) my grandfather (c) grandma's garden (d) making a rangoli
11. 11.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) our postman (b) the old banyan tree (c) the rainy season (d) my grandfather
12. 12.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (b) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (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?
    
    ___ Ants can carry food heavier than themselves. Ants walk one behind the other in a line. Ants store food for the winter. (a) We must not waste water. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The railway station is always busy.
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) my grandfather (b) our postman (c) grandma's garden (d) the rainy season
15. 15.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
16. 16.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
17. 17.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) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
18. 18.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) ants (b) a day at the beach (c) elephants (d) the school library
19. 19.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
20. 20.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) My grandfather is seventy years old.
21. 21.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) the school library (b) our pet cat (c) a busy railway station (d) the old banyan tree
22. 22.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) saving water (b) my new bicycle (c) the night sky (d) the school library
23. 23.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) I got a new bicycle on my birthday. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
24. 24.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
25. 25.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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Last Sunday, our class went 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 school library (b) our school sports day (c) eating healthy food (d) my grandfather
27. 27.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
28. 28.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. The guide told us about the old kings. (a) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
29. 29.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 classroom (b) a busy railway station (c) saving water (d) grandma's garden
30. 30.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
31. 31.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) The railway station is always busy. (c) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
32. 32.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Thousands of stars twinkle above us. The moon looks like a silver plate. Some stars make shapes in the sky. (a) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) The night sky is full of wonders. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ants are tiny but very hard-working.
33. 33.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) making a rangoli (b) the village fair (c) grandma's garden (d) the peacock
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) the rainy season (b) the school library (c) my grandfather (d) my new bicycle
35. 35.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) the night sky (c) the school library (d) grandma's garden
36. 36.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) making a rangoli (b) a day at the beach (c) the rainy season (d) our pet cat
37. 37.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 busy railway station (b) the school library (c) our classroom (d) the rainy season
38. 38.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We must not waste water. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
39. 39.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) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) We spent a happy day at the beach. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
40. 40.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. My grandfather loves to play chess with me. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.

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