Topic Sentence Worksheet

Writing skills lesson 9: Topic sentence · Set 453 · 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?
   
   ___ Its branches spread very wide. Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. (a) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
2. 2.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) Our classroom is bright and clean. (c) The night sky is full of wonders. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
3. 3.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) elephants (b) our trip to the zoo (c) the rainy season (d) flying kites
4. 4.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) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) The railway station is always busy.
5. 5.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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) My best friend is Farhan. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo.
6. 6.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) the vegetable market (b) my best friend (c) a cricket match (d) the village fair
7. 7.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) our school sports day (b) the school library (c) the old banyan tree (d) grandma's garden
8. 8.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 peacock is the national bird of India. (b) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Ants are tiny but very hard-working. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
9. 9.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) the peacock (b) the old banyan tree (c) a busy railway station (d) our postman
10. 10.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (c) Our school library is my favourite place. (d) Elephants are the biggest land animals.
11. 11.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ It is red with a shiny silver bell. Its seat is soft and comfortable. I oil the chain of my bicycle every week. (a) We have a pet cat named Mishti. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) I got a new bicycle on my birthday.
12. 12.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) our school sports day (c) my new bicycle (d) the night sky
13. 13.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) my grandfather (b) our postman (c) the old banyan tree (d) a visit to an old fort
14. 14.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) A fair comes to our village every winter. (b) The vegetable market near our house opens early. (c) We must not waste water. (d) Our school library is my favourite place.
15. 15.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) grandma's garden (b) a day at the beach (c) the vegetable market (d) the school library
16. 16.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Its stone walls were very thick. We climbed up to the tower. From the tower we could see the whole town. (a) The monsoon is my favourite season. (b) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (c) In January, the sky fills with kites. (d) My best friend is Farhan.
17. 17.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) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Our class visited an old fort on a hill.
18. 18.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. Tea sellers walk up and down the platform. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
19. 19.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) grandma's garden (b) a busy railway station (c) eating healthy food (d) the village fair
20. 20.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. Peahens are smaller and brown in colour. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (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.
21. 21.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) our school sports day (b) grandma's garden (c) saving water (d) eating healthy food
22. 22.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) the rainy season (b) a cricket match (c) the vegetable market (d) eating healthy food
23. 23.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Long roots hang down from its branches. Birds build nests in its branches. Villagers rest in its cool shade. (a) The night sky is full of wonders. (b) The peacock is the national bird of India. (c) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (d) An old banyan tree stands in our village.
24. 24.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. We buy strong string for our kites. (a) The railway station is always busy. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (d) In January, the sky fills with kites.
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) Our school sports day was full of fun. (b) In January, the sky fills with kites. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) Our classroom is bright and clean.
26. 26.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) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (b) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (c) An old banyan tree stands in our village. (d) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday.
27. 27.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) the school library (b) our school sports day (c) a day at the beach (d) my best friend
28. 28.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) saving water (c) my grandfather (d) a busy railway station
29. 29.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) flying kites (c) making a rangoli (d) the peacock
30. 30.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) My grandmother has a lovely garden. (b) We must not waste water. (c) The railway station is always busy. (d) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong.
31. 31.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) Our street had a cricket match on Sunday. (b) The railway station is always busy. (c) The monsoon is my favourite season. (d) The night sky is full of wonders.
32. 32.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) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (b) My grandfather is seventy years old. (c) Our classroom is bright and clean. (d) A fair comes to our village every winter.
33. 33.Which sentence is the best opening (topic sentence) for this paragraph?
    
    ___ Children fly kites from their rooftops. Kites of every colour dance in the wind. At night, people fly kites with small lights. (a) In January, the sky fills with kites. (b) Elephants are the biggest land animals. (c) A fair comes to our village every winter. (d) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli.
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) Healthy food keeps our bodies strong. (b) A fair comes to our village every winter. (c) Ramesh is the postman in our area. (d) The monsoon is my favourite season.
35. 35.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) The railway station is always busy. (b) We must not waste water. (c) Last Sunday, our class went to the zoo. (d) Our school sports day was full of fun.
36. 36.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) our trip to the zoo (b) ants (c) a visit to an old fort (d) my best friend
37. 37.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) My grandfather is seventy years old. (b) The monsoon is my favourite season. (c) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (d) Ramesh is the postman in our area.
38. 38.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) the village fair (b) a day at the beach (c) our trip to the zoo (d) the school library
39. 39.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) We spent a happy day at the beach. (b) Every Diwali, my sister and I make a rangoli. (c) Our class visited an old fort on a hill. (d) My grandmother has a lovely garden.
40. 40.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) elephants (b) a busy railway station (c) making a rangoli (d) grandma's garden

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